Vietnam’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has initiated a recall of nearly 6,000 VF 5 cars in the domestic market to address an issue with the combination switch, the company announced on Tuesday.

Discovery of the issue

The affected vehicles, produced between March and December last year, are subject to the recall due to a discovered flaw in the combination switch. According to VinFast, only one vehicle sold in the market has reported the switch error, with no incidents recorded.

During testing, VinFast found that the front lights of certain VF 5 Plus models, exclusively available in Vietnam, would switch off if the driver applied excessive force to activate the ignition through the combination switch.

Root cause

The EV manufacturer attributed the issue to a design flaw in the control circuit board, sourced from a component supplier.

Recall and response

In response to the identified problem, VinFast initiated the recall to replace the combination switch in the affected vehicles. The company aims to rectify the issue swiftly to ensure the safety and functionality of its electric cars on the road.

Company performance and targets

Despite the recall, VinFast has been making significant strides in the electric vehicle market. Since its Nasdaq debut in August last year, the company has delivered close to 35,000 cars in 2023, albeit falling short of its target of 40,000 units.

However, VinFast witnessed a surge in deliveries in the last quarter of 2023, with a 35% increase compared to the third quarter, amounting to 13,513 units.

VinFast’s proactive approach to addressing the switch issue underscores its commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and safety for its electric vehicles. The recall reflects the company’s dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction and upholding its reputation in the rapidly evolving EV market in Vietnam.