Nikola recalls delivered trucks for fire risk

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【Summary】Nikola is recalling all 209 battery-powered electric trucks due to a coolant leak causing fires. Sales are suspended as the company investigates and contacts affected parties. No injuries reported. Foul play is unlikely.

FutureCar Staff Aug 16, 2023 6:31 AM PT

Nikola recalls delivered trucks for fire risk

Nikola Corp. announced on Friday that it is initiating a recall of all its battery-powered electric trucks and suspending sales. The decision comes after an investigation into recent fires revealed a coolant leak inside the battery pack as the cause.

A spokesperson for Nikola stated that there are currently 209 battery-powered electric trucks in the marketplace, including those with dealers and customers. The company is in the process of recalling these vehicles and is actively reaching out to all parties involved, according to Reuters.

The preliminary findings of the investigation, conducted by a third-party investigator, were confirmed on Thursday when a "minor thermal incident" occurred on one of the packs in a parked engineering-validation truck. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Nikola stated in a press release that the incident was unlikely to be caused by foul play or external factors. The company is now focused on finding a solution to the issue and is working diligently to address the problem.

In June, when trucks at Nikola's Phoenix, Arizona headquarters caught fire, the company initially suspected foul play and launched an investigation. Last month, a damaged truck that was being monitored at the Phoenix site reignited, further prompting the company's efforts to resolve the issue.