Hyundai Recalls Nearly 5000 Electric Vehicles in Australia Over Potential Battery Fire Risk

ByEditorial Team

Hyundai has issued an urgent recall for nearly 5,000 electric vehicles in Australia following the discovery of a software defect that could lead to a battery fire while vehicles are charging or parked.

The recall, announced on Friday, April 10, 2026, affects a total of 4,880 vehicles across two models:

  • Hyundai Kona Electric (2018-2023): 3,478 vehicles.
  • Hyundai IONIQ EV (2018-2022): 1,402 vehicles.
Hyundai EV Recall Kona & IONIQ Cars Hit by Fire Risk (Image: CarExpert)

According to the federal Department of Infrastructure, the fault lies within the Battery Management System (BMS) software.

A logic error may prevent the system from detecting internal cell voltage fluctuations. In rare circumstances, this can trigger an electrical short circuit, leading to a “thermal event” or vehicle fire.

Part of Global Recall Affecting Over 100,000 Vehicles

The Australian action is part of a massive international safety campaign involving 104,011 Hyundai electric vehicles worldwide.

Hyundai began rolling out global notifications in March after identifying the software vulnerability during routine quality monitoring.

What owners need to do:

Notification: Hyundai Australia will contact all affected owners by mail and email.

The Fix: Local dealers will perform a BMS software update or, if the battery is found to be compromised during diagnosis, a full hardware replacement.

Cost: All inspections and repairs are free of charge.

Precautions: Until the software update is completed, authorities suggest parking vehicles outdoors and away from flammable structures where possible.

Safety Risk Considered Low but Monitored

While the recall notice highlights a serious hazard, data from EV Firesafe suggests that spontaneous EV battery fires remain extremely rare in Australia. As of March 2026, only 13 EV battery fires have been recorded nationally since 2021. Of those:

  • 4 were caused by high-speed collisions.
  • 3 were due to external fires spreading to the vehicle.
  • 2 were confirmed arson attacks.
  • The remaining cases are still under investigation.

This is the second major battery-related recall for the IONIQ line, following a 2021 campaign that required the complete replacement of high-voltage batteries due to a separate manufacturing defect.

Related Posts