American EV maker Lucid issued a recall for its luxury Air models due to the electric motor’s switch that could cause power loss.
Scope
The scope of the recall covers 637 units of 2022-2023 electric Air sedans in the United States.
Lucid estimates that of all the recalled Air models, approximately 6% will have the defect.
Issue
Interestingly, the car’s electrically activated contact switches (contactors) that abruptly open may cause the power loss issue from the electric motors, according to the automaker.
“If a contactor opens unexpectedly while driving, the vehicle’s electric motors will no longer be supplied power. This may lead to a loss of propulsion without pre-warning and may increase the risk of a crash.”
Lucid Motors
Contactors generally transmit electricity to the car’s drive motors. Therefore, if the said issue persists, it can cut off the power to the electric motors.
Solution
Lucid Service Centers intends to solve the electric motors issue by updating the software of the affected Air models. They will also replace the car’s contactor switches without charge.
Per the report, Lucid will begin sending notification letters to affected owners on April 21, 2023.
Lucid’s first encounter with the issue
The safety recall report released by the NHTSA noted that Lucid began the investigation of this issue in May 2022.
One Lucid Air was brought in for repair after losing its motive power. That time, the spring force issue diagnostic necessitates linking the car to measuring equipment while it startups to examine the contactor closing signature.
A double-dip closure signature signals a possibility of a contactor opening. Yet, many contactors with a double-dip signature, according to Lucid, have not experienced unanticipated openings.
Auto component supplier Sensata Technologies and Lucid discovered that the magnetic holding force might be countered in a small population of contactors by the spring force.
In response, replacement contactors have undergone further quality testing. Lucid has also redesigned them to strengthen their magnetic holding force. It is supposed to guarantee that they do not close with a current double-dip signature.
See Also:
- Lucid launches Apple CarPlay on every Air model in the latest over-the-air update
- Lucid expects to produce at least 10,000 electric vehicles in 2023
- Lucid offers reservation holders a $7,500 discount on Air luxury models
- Lucid is under competitive pressure from Tesla
- Lucid shares surge as it surpassed EV production annual guidance
Apparently, EVs that have a contactor opening may come to a stop and should restart following its shutdown, Lucid explains. It further highlighted that these cars still have functional power steering, brakes, and driver displays.
