Nearly 170,000 Hyundai Motor Group electric vehicles (EVs) are being recalled in South Korea due to a software error in their charging system.

South Korean news agency Yonhap reports 169,932 vehicles are being recalled across Hyundais Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 lines, as well as the Genesis GV60, Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80, according to a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport notice.

Additionally, 56,016 Kia EV6s are being recalled.

Should the Hyundai Motor Group expand this recall to other markets, as many as 500,000 vehicles could be affected.

The Ministry says the error could see vehicles fail to start and their batteries lose charge, resulting in a loss of power.

The companies will reportedly issue a software update once they receive the recalled models and, if necessary, replace the integrated charging control unit (ICCU).

Hyundai Australia recently launched a local service campaign affecting 3049 Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 models. It says this isnt related to the South Korean-market recall announcement, and the company has yet to issue a recall.

It says the campaign was related to charging faults, and it rolled out an ICCU software update to affected vehicles while also offering to replace the ICCU if necessary.

However, the company says less than one per cent of all affected vehicles required an ICCU replacement.

We are currently checking with our parent company to determine whether the issues encountered in the Korean market also affect Hyundai vehicles sold in Australia, said a spokesperson for the Hyundai and Genesis brands in Australia.

We will provide an update once we have more information to share.

Kia Australias technical division has also submitted an enquiry with the brands head office regarding the issue.

The defect has also been investigated in the US by regulators, though a recall has yet to be issued there.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation last year into Ioniq 5 and EV6 models, in response to customer complaints of a loud popping noise followed by either reduced or a complete loss of power.

The South Korean brands initiated voluntary service campaigns last year to inspect the ICCU and, if necessary, replace it.