Owners have filed 212 complaints
about the 2023 KIA EV6 with NHTSA between 2023 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 50
Against the median year of the KIA EV6. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 5
0.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
466.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
116.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Side pole crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2023 Kia EV6 SUV AWD
8.2% risk
2023 Kia EV6 SUV RWD
8.2% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2023peak 20Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2023 KIA EV6
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The high voltage battery cells may contain misaligned electrodes, which can lead to a fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
24V867000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
24V200000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-Volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
24V057000
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Niro EV and 2023 EV6 vehicles. One of the drive shafts may have been improperly heat-treated, allowing it to break under load and resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202470011,445 units in Canada
High Voltage
Issue: Over time, the integrated charging control unit (ICCU) could become damaged. As a result, the 12 V battery will not charge and could cause the vehicle to enter a reduced power mode. If this happens, and you continue to drive the vehicle, there could be a loss of power to the wheels. Note: This problem will cause a warning light to turn on and warning messages to display before any loss of power. This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2024-173. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this repair. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the vehicle software. The dealer will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the ICCU and ICCU fuse.
Recall 2024549647,384 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: These small errors do not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. Kia has corrected the compliance label for all new vehicles.
Recall 20241736,745 units in Canada
High Voltage
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2024-700. Issue: Over time, the integrated charging control unit (ICCU) could become damaged. As a result, the 12 V battery will not charge and could cause the vehicle to enter a reduced power mode. If this happens, and you continue to drive the vehicle, there could be a loss of power to the wheels. Note: This problem will cause a warning light to turn on and warning messages to display before any loss of power. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the vehicle software. The dealer will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the ICCU and ICCU fuse.
Recall 2024054133 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain electric vehicles, an axle shaft may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the axle shaft could break and cause a loss of power to the wheels. Note: For the Niro EV model, the left-front axle shaft is affected. For the EV6 model, the inner-rear axle shaft is affected. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the axle shaft.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Charlotte, NCCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While changing lanes on a freeway, the car passed through a narrow strip of slush from recent snowfall. The car immediately disabled the motors, preventing acceleration and regenerative braking for nearly 50 seconds. There were no warning lights, sounds, or messages displayed on the car's gauge cluster display, either for the initial loss of propulsion or for the restoration of propulsion. This caused a loss of traction when the car eventually passed through a patch of packed snow and ice.
NHTSA complaint #11713938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Was parking car. Pushed on brake and car accelerated
NHTSA complaint #11668229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Los Angeles, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I charged my car at a level 3 fast charger on a road trip. After completing my charge, the AC stopped working. The fan worked but it was only blowing hot air. Normally this would be a nuisance, but the day was about 114 degrees and the car’s interior was probably close to 140 degrees. I was driving on the interstate so it was very hard to keep the windows down. The lack of HVAC made the car difficult to operate and if my family was in there would have been a safety hazard. I took it to the dealer who initially thought it need the coolant to be recharged. It turns out that the inverter for the A/C died. Apparently this has some connection to the known issues with the ICCU, which in my case just blew out and was replaced a month and a half prior to this incident.
NHTSA complaint #11757866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ICCU failure. I charged overnight at my home L2 charging as usual. I backed out of my garage and heard a loud pop. Almost immediately an “check electrical” warning came up. The car went to turtle mode and then completely died. The car was towed and I was informed the ICCU needed to be replaced. The car had all previous checks on ICCU performed (per mailed recalls) and was updated and passed each time.
NHTSA complaint #11757865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dania Beach, FL
POWER TRAIN
While driving southbound on the [XXX] in a rented 2023 Kia EV6 from The Hertz Corporation, picked up in [XXX] on XXX, the vehicle entered "Power Limited" mode without warning. The vehicle lost normal propulsion and decelerated from highway speed to a crawl, forcing 4-5 emergency stops onto the highway shoulder over several miles while semi-trucks passed at 70+ mph in live traffic, with two minor children in the vehicle. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned at a highway rest stop on Hertz Roadside Assistance's instruction and towed. This vehicle was subject to three NHTSA recall campaigns for the ICCU defect that produces exactly this failure mode: 24V057000 (SC295, driveshaft, notice mailed XXX), 24V200000 (SC302, ICCU 12V charging failure/Power Limited mode, notice mailed XXX), and 24V867000 (SC327, expanded ICCU remedy superseding SC302, notice mailed XXX) — all mailed well before this vehicle was rented to me on XXX. Under 49 U.S.C. §30120(i), a rental company may not rent a covered rental vehicle subject to an unremedied safety recall. I am requesting NHTSA use its inspection authority under 49 U.S.C. §30166 to determine whether Hertz completed the required SC327 remedy on this vehicle before renting it to me, and to review Hertz's fleet-wide recall compliance for its Kia EV6 inventory. This does not appear to be an isolated incident: NHTSA complaint ODI XXX, filed XXX, describes a near-identical failure — a rented 2023 Kia EV6 (Dollar Rent A Car, a Hertz-owned brand) losing power and shutting down multiple times on the freeway during a single trip, also towed. Two renters, two Hertz-family rentals, same defect signature, five months apart. Hertz has been on written and verbal notice of this incident since XXX, and I sent a formal written demand on XXX with a response deadline of XXX. As of this filing, Hertz has not responded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dania Beach, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While driving southbound on the [XXX] in a rented 2023 Kia EV6 from The Hertz Corporation, picked up in [XXX] on XXX, the vehicle entered "Power Limited" mode without warning. The vehicle lost normal propulsion and decelerated from highway speed to a crawl, forcing 4-5 emergency stops onto the highway shoulder over several miles while semi-trucks passed at 70+ mph in live traffic, with two minor children in the vehicle. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned at a highway rest stop on Hertz Roadside Assistance's instruction and towed. This vehicle was subject to three NHTSA recall campaigns for the ICCU defect that produces exactly this failure mode: 24V057000 (SC295, driveshaft, notice mailed XXX), 24V200000 (SC302, ICCU 12V charging failure/Power Limited mode, notice mailed XXX), and 24V867000 (SC327, expanded ICCU remedy superseding SC302, notice mailed XXX) — all mailed well before this vehicle was rented to me on XXX. Under 49 U.S.C. §30120(i), a rental company may not rent a covered rental vehicle subject to an unremedied safety recall. I am requesting NHTSA use its inspection authority under 49 U.S.C. §30166 to determine whether Hertz completed the required SC327 remedy on this vehicle before renting it to me, and to review Hertz's fleet-wide recall compliance for its Kia EV6 inventory. This does not appear to be an isolated incident: NHTSA complaint ODI XXX, filed XXX, describes a near-identical failure — a rented 2023 Kia EV6 (Dollar Rent A Car, a Hertz-owned brand) losing power and shutting down multiple times on the freeway during a single trip, also towed. Two renters, two Hertz-family rentals, same defect signature, five months apart. Hertz has been on written and verbal notice of this incident since XXX, and I sent a formal written demand on XXX with a response deadline of XXX. As of this filing, Hertz has not responded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dania Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving southbound on the [XXX] in a rented 2023 Kia EV6 from The Hertz Corporation, picked up in [XXX] on XXX, the vehicle entered "Power Limited" mode without warning. The vehicle lost normal propulsion and decelerated from highway speed to a crawl, forcing 4-5 emergency stops onto the highway shoulder over several miles while semi-trucks passed at 70+ mph in live traffic, with two minor children in the vehicle. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned at a highway rest stop on Hertz Roadside Assistance's instruction and towed. This vehicle was subject to three NHTSA recall campaigns for the ICCU defect that produces exactly this failure mode: 24V057000 (SC295, driveshaft, notice mailed XXX), 24V200000 (SC302, ICCU 12V charging failure/Power Limited mode, notice mailed XXX), and 24V867000 (SC327, expanded ICCU remedy superseding SC302, notice mailed XXX) — all mailed well before this vehicle was rented to me on XXX. Under 49 U.S.C. §30120(i), a rental company may not rent a covered rental vehicle subject to an unremedied safety recall. I am requesting NHTSA use its inspection authority under 49 U.S.C. §30166 to determine whether Hertz completed the required SC327 remedy on this vehicle before renting it to me, and to review Hertz's fleet-wide recall compliance for its Kia EV6 inventory. This does not appear to be an isolated incident: NHTSA complaint ODI XXX, filed XXX, describes a near-identical failure — a rented 2023 Kia EV6 (Dollar Rent A Car, a Hertz-owned brand) losing power and shutting down multiple times on the freeway during a single trip, also towed. Two renters, two Hertz-family rentals, same defect signature, five months apart. Hertz has been on written and verbal notice of this incident since XXX, and I sent a formal written demand on XXX with a response deadline of XXX. As of this filing, Hertz has not responded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodinville, WA
POWER TRAIN
While driving a rented 2023 Kia EV6 on the freeway, the vehicle lost power and shut down completely, without warning, on multiple separate occasions during a single trip. This occurred at highway speed in live traffic, creating a serious risk to vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle was a rental (Dollar Rent A Car); no external damage or collision was involved. The vehicle has since been towed.
NHTSA complaint #11753434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodinville, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving a rented 2023 Kia EV6 on the freeway, the vehicle lost power and shut down completely, without warning, on multiple separate occasions during a single trip. This occurred at highway speed in live traffic, creating a serious risk to vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle was a rental (Dollar Rent A Car); no external damage or collision was involved. The vehicle has since been towed.
NHTSA complaint #11753434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodinville, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving a rented 2023 Kia EV6 on the freeway, the vehicle lost power and shut down completely, without warning, on multiple separate occasions during a single trip. This occurred at highway speed in live traffic, creating a serious risk to vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle was a rental (Dollar Rent A Car); no external damage or collision was involved. The vehicle has since been towed.
NHTSA complaint #11753434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Angelo, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ICCU failed and replaced under warranty
NHTSA complaint #11746036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
POWER TRAIN
First ICCU the power completely went out on 2/23/26. Power went out again April, 2026. Currently car is immobile and unreliable and not safe for driving due to power failures. Towed car to Kia Cerritos. Car supposedly "fixed" (with other issues I've reported to KIA of America & CA BAR/DMV) Currently 12V battery is not holding charge as of 4/27/26, 4/28/26, and 5/2/26. I received a letter from KIA stating ICCU and inability to charge, Keep this Letter in your Glove Box for a free diagnosis and possible no cost servicing. As an older American this is inherently unsafe, as I travel for work and cannot be stuck on the road. The vehicle suddenly loses power in traffic. It simply stops running. This is my 5th attempt to file this very complaint between April and 6/14/26.
NHTSA complaint #11744054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
First ICCU the power completely went out on 2/23/26. Power went out again April, 2026. Currently car is immobile and unreliable and not safe for driving due to power failures. Towed car to Kia Cerritos. Car supposedly "fixed" (with other issues I've reported to KIA of America & CA BAR/DMV) Currently 12V battery is not holding charge as of 4/27/26, 4/28/26, and 5/2/26. I received a letter from KIA stating ICCU and inability to charge, Keep this Letter in your Glove Box for a free diagnosis and possible no cost servicing. As an older American this is inherently unsafe, as I travel for work and cannot be stuck on the road. The vehicle suddenly loses power in traffic. It simply stops running. This is my 5th attempt to file this very complaint between April and 6/14/26.
NHTSA complaint #11744054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
First ICCU the power completely went out on 2/23/26. Power went out again April, 2026. Currently car is immobile and unreliable and not safe for driving due to power failures. Towed car to Kia Cerritos. Car supposedly "fixed" (with other issues I've reported to KIA of America & CA BAR/DMV) Currently 12V battery is not holding charge as of 4/27/26, 4/28/26, and 5/2/26. I received a letter from KIA stating ICCU and inability to charge, Keep this Letter in your Glove Box for a free diagnosis and possible no cost servicing. As an older American this is inherently unsafe, as I travel for work and cannot be stuck on the road. The vehicle suddenly loses power in traffic. It simply stops running. This is my 5th attempt to file this very complaint between April and 6/14/26.
NHTSA complaint #11744054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nellysford, VA
POWER TRAIN
ICCU failure, a well known issue with these cars.
NHTSA complaint #11738207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nellysford, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ICCU failure, a well known issue with these cars.
NHTSA complaint #11738207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nellysford, VA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ICCU failure, a well known issue with these cars.
NHTSA complaint #11738207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Iccu failure with Kia ev6. Unreal that this car has not had a recall yet. It is totally unacceptable that this car can at any time fail. Car will not start and shut down while I was driving. Luckily I was beginning to park when it happened
NHTSA complaint #11737911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
ENGINE
Iccu failure with Kia ev6. Unreal that this car has not had a recall yet. It is totally unacceptable that this car can at any time fail. Car will not start and shut down while I was driving. Luckily I was beginning to park when it happened
NHTSA complaint #11737911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crofton, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The ICCU unit failed. The message "Check Electrical System" appeared on the instrument cluster. Low-voltage battery voltage was 12.0V and vehicle speed was limited to 60 mph. Maximum speed was gradually reduced to 30 mph over a period of 40 minutes (voltage was 11.5 V) with minimal 12V loads. I pulled over and called a tow truck to the nearest service center. Kia confirmed the ICCU was defective and replaced the part under warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11737319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crofton, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The ICCU unit failed. The message "Check Electrical System" appeared on the instrument cluster. Low-voltage battery voltage was 12.0V and vehicle speed was limited to 60 mph. Maximum speed was gradually reduced to 30 mph over a period of 40 minutes (voltage was 11.5 V) with minimal 12V loads. I pulled over and called a tow truck to the nearest service center. Kia confirmed the ICCU was defective and replaced the part under warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11737319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Rock, CO
POWER TRAIN
ICCU failed despite all prior recall updates being performed. Incident began when home circuit breaker tripped; vehicle subsequently refused Level 1 charging with "Check Electrical System" warning. Per dealer suggestion, tested public chargers. Level 3 (DC) worked, but upon connecting to Level 2 (AC/J1772), a loud "pop" occurred, and the public charging station immediately suffered a mechanical failure/shutdown. Vehicle then displayed "Stop vehicle and check power supply," and was unable to drive above 40mph (with a turtle icon visible on the dash) once I pulled away from the charging station. This created a significant safety hazard while navigating traffic. Within two hours, the 12V battery was completely depleted; vehicle was unresponsive and required a jump-start for towing. Dealer confirmed ICCU failure requiring replacement. The fact that the vehicle's internal failure caused the immediate malfunction of public infrastructure is deeply concerning, as was the loss of motive power on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11734074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Rock, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ICCU failed despite all prior recall updates being performed. Incident began when home circuit breaker tripped; vehicle subsequently refused Level 1 charging with "Check Electrical System" warning. Per dealer suggestion, tested public chargers. Level 3 (DC) worked, but upon connecting to Level 2 (AC/J1772), a loud "pop" occurred, and the public charging station immediately suffered a mechanical failure/shutdown. Vehicle then displayed "Stop vehicle and check power supply," and was unable to drive above 40mph (with a turtle icon visible on the dash) once I pulled away from the charging station. This created a significant safety hazard while navigating traffic. Within two hours, the 12V battery was completely depleted; vehicle was unresponsive and required a jump-start for towing. Dealer confirmed ICCU failure requiring replacement. The fact that the vehicle's internal failure caused the immediate malfunction of public infrastructure is deeply concerning, as was the loss of motive power on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11734074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taneytown, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle has been in the possession of Koons Kia of Owings Mills since March 15, 2026, for diagnosis and repair of this issue, with service beginning March 16, 2026. During this time, the dealership has replaced the 12-volt battery and performed a software update; however, the defect has not been corrected. On April 10, 2026, I was notified that the vehicle was ready for pickup. When I arrived on April 11, I found that the battery was completely discharged and the issue had not been resolved. Because the vehicle was not operational at the time of attempted pickup, it was not returned to me and remained in the dealership’s possession. I was contacted again on April 13, 2026, and informed that the vehicle had been repaired. When I returned to the dealership on April 14 to retrieve the vehicle, I again found that the battery was discharged and the defect persisted. As a result, the vehicle was not returned to me and has remained continuously in the dealership’s possession since March 15, 2026. As of today, the vehicle has been out of service for more than 30 consecutive days due to this defect, and multiple repair efforts have failed to resolve the issue. This ongoing condition substantially impairs the use, value, and reliability of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11732973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dacula, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*ICCU assembly and ICCU fuse fault (a kia recall SC327( NHTSA ID: 24V867000) for ICCU was performed months early but does't help AND iccu crash) *yes - cars stop workind in the midle of nower at 317 mile away from home with 5 persons in) *yes ( kia already performed recall SC327 for our car but doest help and the ICCU crash) *yes *yes-vehicle broke down while driving.Had to be towed to closest Kia dealer(the incidend hapened 317 miles away from our home Dacula GA 30019)
NHTSA complaint #11732210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dacula, GA
ENGINE
*ICCU assembly and ICCU fuse fault (a kia recall SC327( NHTSA ID: 24V867000) for ICCU was performed months early but does't help AND iccu crash) *yes - cars stop workind in the midle of nower at 317 mile away from home with 5 persons in) *yes ( kia already performed recall SC327 for our car but doest help and the ICCU crash) *yes *yes-vehicle broke down while driving.Had to be towed to closest Kia dealer(the incidend hapened 317 miles away from our home Dacula GA 30019)
NHTSA complaint #11732210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dacula, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
*ICCU assembly and ICCU fuse fault (a kia recall SC327( NHTSA ID: 24V867000) for ICCU was performed months early but does't help AND iccu crash) *yes - cars stop workind in the midle of nower at 317 mile away from home with 5 persons in) *yes ( kia already performed recall SC327 for our car but doest help and the ICCU crash) *yes *yes-vehicle broke down while driving.Had to be towed to closest Kia dealer(the incidend hapened 317 miles away from our home Dacula GA 30019)
NHTSA complaint #11732210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
