Harm to the batteries’ separator might end in shorts and fires, prompting recollects from Stellantis, Ford, and Audi for battery pack replacements. Current paperwork submitted by battery provider Samsung SDI point out that the investigation into these points is ongoing.
A number of automakers are recalling plug-in hybrids attributable to a possible downside with Samsung SDI-supplied battery cells that may result in energy loss or hearth hazards. New paperwork filed with the federal authorities reveals that the difficulty has not but been fully resolved.
Within the U.S., 180,196 autos are impacted, together with 155,096 from Stellantis, 20,484 from Ford, and 4,616 from Audi. Every producer has beforehand introduced particular person recollects for the affected fashions.
Stellantis initiated a recall associated to batteries for the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUVs in October, adopted by Audi in December for the Q5 and A7 plug-in hybrids. Ford additionally introduced a recall in January for the plug-in hybrid variations of the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs.
All these autos share comparable Samsung SDI cells, although particular specs fluctuate by automaker. Paperwork submitted to the NHTSA point out that the defects in these battery cells might result in inside quick circuits or fires. Each Ford and Stellantis reported points with the separator layer between the battery’s cathode and anode, which is a possible trigger of those risks. Inside analyses by Ford and Audi pointed to manufacturing defects, main each firms to implement new software program as a short lived resolution.
The newest paperwork from Samsung SDI don’t broaden the recall record however spotlight the excellent nature of the investigation. On February 5, Samsung SDI famous that the difficulty is “nonetheless underneath investigation” for the Ford and Audi fashions. A subsequent letter from the NHTSA, which responded to the Samsung SDI submitting on February 6, requested a abstract of all guarantee claims and discipline or service studies.
In a press release to Inexperienced Automotive Studies, Stellantis emphasised that for its affected autos, the difficulty has been addressed. “The treatment features a software program replace and, if essential, substitute of the high-voltage battery, each supplied for gratis to house owners,” the corporate acknowledged, referencing notification letters despatched out in December. “Buyer security is our highest precedence, and we recognize the persistence of our prospects as we labored to resolve this matter and implement an answer for all affected autos.”
Affected car house owners can attain out to the respective automakers’ customer support departments for additional help. Stellantis might be contacted at 800-853-1403, Audi at 800-253-2834, and Ford at 866-436-7332.
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