Multiple recalls spark Fed investigation of LG’s electric car batteries

Enlarge / Lithium-ion cells made by LG Energy Solutions have been linked to multiple fires and malfunctions since 2020. (credit: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Image)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating safety defects in lithium-ion cells made by LG Energy Solutions after a string of recalls since February 2020. The most high-profile of these has been Chevrolet, which has had to recall more than 141,000 Bolt EVs. Still, there have also been recalls for the Hyundai Kona EV, Smart ForTwo Electric, Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid, and last month, some Volkswagen ID.4s, due to problems with LG-made cells.

Chevrolet's Bolt recall probably gained the most attention due to the risk of fire, which remains a public concern regarding electric vehicles despite the far higher risk of internal combustion engine car fires. But not all the recalls were for the risk of fire.

Watch out for bumps

The first recall cited by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation concerns a single 2019 Smart EQ ForTwo. In this case, Mercedes-Benz (which owns Smart) discovered that the welding that connected individual cells and modules was not up to snuff. Consequently, the right kind of bang or bump could interrupt the battery's circuit, causing the car to immediately lose all power, a problem that necessitated a recall.

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