Hyundai sellers will quickly start updating software program in most of the model’s electrical autos (EVs) to alter how brake lights behave. The transfer comes after a number of media experiences confirmed that it’s attainable to convey some Hyundai EVs to a whole cease with out the brake lights ever approaching.

Hyundai Transferring With out a Formal Recall

The transfer isn’t a recall as a result of Hyundai is performing earlier than federal security regulators get entangled. However we wouldn’t be stunned to see the automaker file paperwork to make this a proper recall. Sellers might merely be performing sooner than the federal government can course of the paperwork.

One-Pedal Driving

The issue includes a function distinctive to electrified autos and a few plug-in hybrids. It’s generally referred to as “one-pedal driving,” although many producers have a proprietary advertising time period for it. Hyundai calls the function “i-Pedal.”

Associated: One-Pedal Driving – Every little thing You Must Know

Electrical motors can present each momentum to get a automotive going and resistance to sluggish it down with out the precise brakes within the wheels ever participating. In a single-pedal driving, that resistance is dialed up sufficient to sluggish the automotive to a cease. The driving force can then speed up by urgent down on the accelerator pedal and brake by easing stress on it.

Drivers may even cease with out ever urgent the brake pedal.

In a current spherical of testing, Shopper Experiences drivers discovered they might convey many EVs to a whole cease, not simply with out touching the brakes, however with out absolutely releasing stress from the accelerator pedal.

In some situations, EV brake lights didn’t illuminate except the driving force took their foot utterly off the pedal.

Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia Fashions Examined

“Whereas a lot of the EVs in CR’s fleet did illuminate their brake lights appropriately throughout aggressive regenerative braking, a number of of them didn’t, even when deceleration ranges had been thought of extra aggressive,” they wrote. Affected fashions embrace:

The YouTube channel Know-how Connections additionally launched a current video illustrating the issue. TC’s check driver introduced a Hyundai Ioniq 5 to a whole cease from 60 mph with out the brake lights illuminating till the automotive utterly stopped.

That might depart one other driver unaware the EV forward is slowing, contributing to a attainable collision.

Hyundai Launching Software program Replace

A Hyundai spokesperson tells Autoblog the corporate will replace the software program in order that “Whatever the accelerator pedal enter, the brake lights will now activate when the deceleration price exceeds roughly 0.13 G[-force].” That degree might be sufficient to stop accidents.

The assertion doesn’t say whether or not the replace could be despatched remotely. Homeowners may need to convey their automobiles to a dealership to get it.

The assertion additionally didn’t make clear whether or not the replace applies to Hyundai’s Genesis luxurious arm. We’ve reached out to ask and can replace this text once we hear again.

We’ve additionally requested Kia. Kia spokesperson James Hope advised CR the corporate “is evaluating the matter” and “locations a precedence on automobile security.” Kia and Hyundai share some possession however deal with recollects and questions of safety individually. So a Hyundai security marketing campaign doesn’t essentially imply a Kia equal is coming. However, in apply, it normally does.

Many automobiles are recalled to repair security defects, generally greater than as soon as. Whereas automakers attempt to attain each proprietor to ask them to convey the automobile in for restore, they hardly ever attain all of them. Thousands and thousands of autos on American roads want free recall repairs. Examine the straightforward VIN software at our recall heart to seek out out in case your automotive is considered one of them.