Hyundai’s high-performance electric vehicle (EV), the Ioniq 5 N, faced a new issue after a recall in the U.S. due to a braking defect. Following a software update recall, some owners reported experiencing unintended acceleration, raising safety concerns.
Complaints about changes in the vehicle’s performance characteristics have prompted Hyundai to consider further action.
The recall was initiated to address the vehicle’s “left-foot braking” feature. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an issue with the Integrated Electronic Brake control software can cause a drop in the ABS’s pressure, potentially reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a collision.
Rally driving techniques inspired this left-foot braking feature, which allows drivers to use the accelerator and brake pedals simultaneously while driving circuits.
However, a defect was discovered that may cause the ABS’s pressure to drop abnormally low when using this feature. Consequently, Hyundai recalled 1,508 Ioniq 5 N vehicles sold in the U.S. and announced that dealers would provide software updates for the IEB and Vehicle Control Unit to resolve the error.
However, following the recall on March 19, multiple Ioniq 5 N owners claimed that new issues arose after the software update. The first issue involves the vehicle experiencing unintended acceleration. One user on the Ioniq Forum wrote, “In N-Shift mode, even when I lift my foot off the accelerator, the vehicle continues to accelerate, which is very dangerous.”
Similar reports have surfaced on social media and online communities, where drivers noted that after a brief acceleration, the vehicle’s speed remains constant or even increases despite lifting their foot off the pedal.
While the exact cause remains unclear, concerned owners have recognized the seriousness of this issue, reporting it to the NHTSA and sending emails directly to Hyundai.
In addition to safety concerns, some owners have noticed vehicle performance changes following the recall. Specifically, the virtual shifting feature in N-Shift mode has become much smoother, and the car is overall quieter. While these adjustments might seem like improvements for regular vehicles, many high-performance car enthusiasts prefer the rougher simulation gear shifts and more pronounced engine sounds, leading to dissatisfaction with these changes.
This disappointment stems from a reduction in the intense shifting feel and engine sound among the Ioniq 5 N’s appealing features, suggesting that the recall negatively impacted user experience.
Notably, changes in the characteristics of high-performance vehicles, even if they do not directly affect safety, represent significant issues related to the product’s core value, indicating a need for urgent action.
These issues have been reported to the NHTSA, but Hyundai has not yet issued an official statement. However, they require prompt verification and resolution as they relate to safety. Hyundai needs a balanced approach that maintains the brand image of the Ioniq 5 N, its flagship high-performance electric vehicle, while addressing safety concerns.
