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My 11,500 Mile Kia EV6 Wouldn't Turn On, Called KIA's Roadside Assistance And The Guy Says This Is The 4th or 5th EV He Has Towed With This Issue

How one Kia EV6 owner's challenge about her electric SUV's unexpected issue sparked a valuable conversation, offering tips and insights that every EV driver should know.

Kia EV6 owners have been raving about their vehicles for good reasons: sleek design, impressive range, and advanced technology. However, as with any cutting-edge electric vehicle, there are challenges. While scrolling through the Kia EV6 owners' group on Facebook, I came across Pamela Stenman’s post about her recent issue with her 2024 Kia EV6. Despite the frustrating experience, her loyalty to Kia remains steadfast, making her story both relatable and inspiring.

Pamela shared: “Going to the dealership 30 miles away. If the electric warning happens to you call 800-333-4542, KIA roadside assistance, and they will have it towed for you. The car wouldn’t even turn on, the tow guy jumped the 12-volt battery to put it in neutral (AWD) to get it on the truck. The battery went dead as soon as he turned it off. I couldn’t even lock the car w/ the remote. The guy said this is the 4th or 5th EV he has towed with this issue. I thought my 13-month-old, 2024 EV6 w/ 11,055 mi, was going to be an exception. I have no mods or anything connected & absolutely no issues before this. Now I know how to use my 12-volt jump unit I bought 12 months ago :). Stay safe. Love my EV6. My 4th KIA vehicle. Hope can go back to trusting it.”

Pamela's Kia EV6 being towed by a tow trackPamela's Kia EV6 being towed by a tow track.

Pamela’s experience sheds light on a situation that may resonate with other Kia EV6 owners or potential EV buyers, as it highlights the importance of understanding and addressing challenges that arise with new vehicle technology. Let's unpack Pamela's story and explore insights from other EV6 owners who’ve encountered similar issues.

Common Threads: Other Kia EV6 Owners' Experiences

Pamela’s post sparked a discussion among fellow EV6 owners who shared their stories. Cynthia Shone commented: “On my 3rd battery replaced by the dealership. The battery was determined bad. Nothing showed up on recorded incidents or computer test. They kept telling me can’t fix anything that doesn’t show up bad. Finally had to tow it and it would not stay running for them to replace it for the 2nd time. They updated ICCU twice saying nothing tested bad. We shall see.”

Cynthia’s frustration reflects a common challenge in diagnosing intermittent EV issues. When a problem doesn’t immediately register in diagnostics, dealerships may struggle to resolve it effectively, leaving owners in limbo.

Ye Benero chimed in, mentioning his own experience: “Same here, never had a problem until last week right after receiving the letter for the recall. Car immediately slowed down to 25 m/h and kept losing power on the 12v battery. Could not even charge the main battery. My vehicle was towed to the dealer and they confirmed yesterday was the ICCU. Part is supposed to come in a week so fingers crossed.”

Ye’s comment underscores how recall-related updates or defective parts - like the ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) - can sometimes trigger unexpected issues. If you're curious about how Kia EV6 owners have been navigating these issues, read more about first-time EV buyers' experience with the Kia EV6 in this detailed review.

On the other hand, Earl Berry’s situation had a much simpler resolution. He said: “My 12v died on me once. I had a booster and started the car with it. Never had a problem since.” Earl’s account highlights how some cases are one-off incidents easily remedied with tools like a jump starter.

Key Takeaways and Insights for EV Owners

  1. Be Prepared with a 12-Volt Jump Starter: Both Pamela and Earl mentioned how helpful a jump starter can be. EVs rely on the 12-volt battery to power essential systems like locks, displays, and even to shift the car into neutral. Having a jump starter on hand could save you from being stranded.
  2. Know Your Warranty and Roadside Assistance: Pamela’s advice about calling Kia Roadside Assistance (800-333-4542) is invaluable. If your EV6 experiences similar issues, the warranty may cover towing and repairs. Always keep these details handy. To understand the deeper nuances of owning the EV6, see how another owner feels after 8 months of driving in this insightful report.
  3. Understand the ICCU Recall: Ye’s experience suggests that some ICCU updates or malfunctions might be contributing to the 12-volt battery failures. Check with your dealership if your vehicle is subject to any open recalls and have them address these proactively.
  4. Document Everything: Cynthia’s comment about diagnostics not showing errors highlights the importance of documenting issues, especially if they recur. Take notes, record error codes (if visible), and insist on thorough testing at the dealership. Meanwhile, those looking to future-proof their EV experience might want to explore Kia's upcoming game-changer, the EV9, in this analysis of how it could soon outpace the EV6 in sales: Kia’s EV9 Will Outsell the EV6.
  5. Stay Engaged in the Community: Discussions in forums and owner groups can be a treasure trove of knowledge. You’ll find tips, similar experiences, and even preventative measures shared by others who’ve been in your shoes.

Balancing Frustration with Positivity

Despite her inconvenience, Pamela’s love for her EV6 remains evident: “Love my EV6. My 4th KIA vehicle. Hope can go back to trusting it.” This sentiment reflects the enthusiasm many EV6 owners share, even when facing hurdles. Owning an EV often involves a learning curve, and many drivers still find the benefits, such as lower emissions and cutting-edge tech, to outweigh occasional challenges. To dive deeper into the overall appeal of the EV6, check out this recent 2024 Kia EV6 GT review, which covers what makes this vehicle such a standout in the market.

What’s Next for Kia EV6 Owners?

Kia’s continued investment in EV technology, combined with feedback from owners, will likely help resolve some of these early issues. As more drivers adopt EVs, manufacturers are learning to improve systems, diagnostics, and support for their customers.

Join the Discussion

Have you ever experienced a similar issue with your Kia EV6 or another EV? If so, how was it resolved? What tips or tools do you recommend for fellow EV owners? Share your experience in the comments below, your insights could help another driver avoid a frustrating day. And if you're thinking about your next EV or a long-distance road trip, check out this article on how the Kia EV6 performs on a cross-country trek to see how it stacks up for those looking for more adventure behind the wheel.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News TwitterFacebookLinkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Comments

Lars Hansen (not verified)    January 15, 2025 - 10:42PM

ICE or EV it is absolutely ridiculous, that an almost brand new vehicle wont start and need to be towed. I have only ever owned old cars, and none of them ever needed to be towed. If they were unable to start, which occasionally has happened, the problems could be fixed on site by for instance replacing the battery.

Jay (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 5:18PM

In reply to by Lars Hansen (not verified)

Hi. I've got an EV6. This issue happened to me at 43k miles. Fix action. I jumped the car, drove to auto zone, spent $200 on a new better battery, and went on with my life. In all, it at me behind less than 30 minutes.

Tony Rain (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 8:39AM

I am 100% all kia and Huyndai EV will get ICCU issues. Jus soon or late. They still keep producing same bad ICCU. Reported to NHTHA to save each other.

Matt (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 9:33AM

This has been an issue for over a decade with Tesla as well. It's just these companies using the cheapest 12V battery they can get instead of something decent that'll last longer.

James (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 10:57AM

At least this one made it a year. Mine made it 3 weeks before this happened. I started the lease midway through October and had to have it towed to the dealership the first week of November. It's still there. They're "waiting on a part." I have had my issue escalated multiple times and it still is not resolved. This is a lease that I've been paying for and haven't driven for months. The dealership gave me a loaner, but it's in bad shape and isn't electric.

Richard Samuels (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 10:58AM

Eleven years and almost 200,000 miles drive Leafs and never needed towing. Almost 3 years and 30,000 miles driving Teslas and no towing.

Ed Shiebler (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 11:32AM

Looks like as is the case with so many people you’re finding out how it is that Hyundai/Kia can give you more car for less money than other manufacturers.

Dan Mitchell (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 11:32AM

My Kia EV6 has 21,000 miles on it, the ICCU (Internal Charging Control Unit) failed blowing a fuse, which back last September it had a manufacture recall for a software update to "fix" the issue. The update did not work, and hence the ICCU stopped charging the 12v battery with zero warning, over time the 12v battery drained gradually. When driving once I got a 10 second warning of "Check Vehicle Electric System", then all electrics failed instantly leaving me stranded on a main road with no lights, no hazard lights, no screen, no power, nothing. I couldn't even push it to the side of the road because it was stuck in park and no electricity to release the motors / hand brake. I couldn't even get into the boot, because it was electronic. It was 100% broken. I had to call the Police for dangerous obstruction in a main road, with pitch black night time conditions and -1C temperatures. The RAC eventually arrived and to decide to replace the 12v battery, twice (it lasts up to 1 hour), to take it to the local dealership for repair while he followed me. Result, faulty ICCU and broken fuse, 4 week repair.
What is scary is, any KIA or Hyundia purchased during 2023 with that part number ICCU is likely to be affected, even after the recall software patch. If you're reading this and know someone that has a Kia EV6, get it checked. Or you could also end up stranded on a main road or even a dual carriageway. Please share this, as your life could be in danger.

John Barwick (not verified)    January 17, 2025 - 11:06AM

In reply to by Dan Mitchell (not verified)

My EV6 failed completely February 2023. 13 months old, 11500miles. Sound familiar? Put 12v battery from golf trolley on to get home. Kia dealership took nearly 6 months to repair sending for new ICCU, HV FUSE UNIT and RELAYS INSIDE MAIN BATTERY. Parts came separately but shop from Korea. Wrote to CEO , customer service NIL. Sold car back to KIA at a loss to get rid of it. Kia have been well aware of this fault for over TWO YEARS. What it the mentality of designing a WARNING SIGN of a picture of a tortoise?? This alone speaks volumes. Also NEVER BUY THE CAR OUTRIGHT, Kia will always be in the driving seat. Will never buy Kia again.

Doug Kronkhite (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 11:41AM

I'm now getting the orange light a lot where I wasn't before. Wondering if my 12v battery is starting to fail.

Dang (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 1:21PM

These "articles" about some forum or social media post really need to go away. This site is getting almost as bad as the daily dot.

Phil Moorehead (not verified)    January 17, 2025 - 4:02AM

Since I bought it in January 2024, my EV6 has been to three separate Kia dealerships between 2 and 5 times apiece, gone through eight 12v batteries, one new ICCU and HV, two ICCU recalls, one new head unit, and has been at dealership #3 since mid-December 2024 waiting for a Kia mobile field tech to install a second (3rd?) ICCU and HV fuse set. That field tech showed up this past Wednesday to tell my dealership service advisor he was directed NOT to perform the service because I was forced to retain an attorney after Kia refused to buy this lemon back when I asked politely. I have extensive documentation and I'm very eager to discuss my experience(s) with media outlets, by the way.

Peter (not verified)    January 17, 2025 - 5:47PM

I had the same problem in the UK. 12V battery only covered with 2 year warranty - my EV6 is just 3. Unfortunately KIA when asked would do nothing to help. It cost me £120 for recovery and £170 for new battery. Local dealer very helpful but not impressed by KIA's stance.

Russell Jones (not verified)    January 25, 2025 - 11:00PM

One of the first things I did when I bought my used 2018 Kia Soul EV was replace the lead acid 12V with a deep cycle lithium ion one. Have never had a single issue in 5 years. About once a month I use a multimeter to test it and it always tests at around 13.32V. Lithium ion batteries have much more desirable features when it comes to holding a charge and resistance to temperature extremes. Got mine for about 50% more than a typical lead acid ~$300, but they're even less now and should last twice (or more) as long due to the comparatively low requirements. Highly recommended!