Hyundai and Kia have announced a recall of their popular new electric vehicles (EVs), the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, to correct a parking brake problem.
EVs lack true transmissions, so their parking brakes are entirely electronic. In paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the companies explain, “If a voltage fluctuation occurs when the vehicle is off and in the parked position,” a signal can disengage the parking brake temporarily, allowing the car to roll away.
Dealers will fix the problem with a software update, free of charge. Curiously, both cars are capable of receiving over-the-air software updates. But the companies are asking owners to bring the cars in for the patch.
Until owners have the chance to bring the car in for repair, both companies recommend they avoid parking on inclines.
Recall repairs are always free. Manufacturers attempt to contact every owner, but they don’t always reach them all with the news. Find out if your car has ever been recalled at our recall center.
