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Kia2021–2024 Critical issues documented

Kia EV6: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Kia EV6 (2021–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 10 known faults for this model spanning electrical, cooling, brakes, and tyres. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

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  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

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No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

10

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$800–$2,800

Typical repair

4

Systems covered

Which Kia EV6 are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

EV 58kWh· electricEV 77.4kWh· electric

Start your free check on this Kia EV6

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Kia EV6Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the EV6 came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Kia EV6

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Kia EV6 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    Ask whether the ICCU recall/software update was completed and whether the ICCU has ever been replaced (and if so, how long ago).

    See why

    ICCU failure causing loss of drive power and dead 12V

    This is the headline EV6 fault. The ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) manages power between the main battery, the 12V system and charging; a faulty transistor inside can fail — often with an audible pop — and stop charging the 12V battery, giving a 'Check Electric Vehicle System' warning, then a gradual power loss and, if ignored, a complete loss of drive power. Kia issued a recall (software update, plus ICCU replacement where already failed) covering 2022-2024 EV6, but some owners report repeat failures. A failed ICCU out of warranty is a costly repair.

    What you would notice

    • 'Check Electric Vehicle System' warning
    • A loud pop before problems start
    • Reduced power / turtle mode while driving
    • Dead 12V battery / car won't wake up

    Typically $2,500–$5,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Confirm the pre-charge state machine firmware patch has been applied.

    See why

    VCU Software Crash Causing Loss of Ready Mode

    The Vehicle Control Unit on the E-GMP platform contains a firmware defect in early build variants that causes the VCU to enter an unrecoverable error state during the high-voltage system pre-charge sequence. The vehicle powers off normally but on the next start attempt the Ready lamp fails to illuminate, the drivetrain remains inert, and a cascade of BMS and VCU fault codes is stored. The issue is not triggered by any user input — it occurs randomly, including after overnight parking. Kia issued a mandatory firmware update addressing the pre-charge state machine logic. Vehicles that have not received the update remain at risk of stranding the occupants without warning.

    What you would notice

    • Vehicle will not enter Ready mode — drivetrain remains silent after pressing brake and start button
    • Instrument cluster illuminates but Ready indicator absent
    • Multiple simultaneous warning lights including EV system, 12V battery, and check vehicle
    • Fault resolves temporarily after locking and unlocking or after extended waiting period
    • Recurrence becomes more frequent over time without firmware update

    Typically $0–$4,800 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Test the 12V auxiliary battery voltage and load capacity with a dedicated battery tester.

    See why

    12V auxiliary battery drain causing system reset and no-start

    The EV6, like other e-GMP platform EVs, uses a small 12V auxiliary battery to power low-voltage systems. This battery is charged by a DC-DC converter from the HV pack. Multiple documented cases exist of the 12V battery failing prematurely — within 2–3 years — causing complete system reset, inability to start, loss of door unlocking, and loss of infotainment. The vehicle may show as fully charged on the HV side but fail to power on. The 12V battery in EV6 early production was identified as undersized for the parasitic load.

    What you would notice

    • Vehicle fails to power on despite HV battery showing charge
    • Complete electrical reset — clock, settings lost
    • Door unlocking failure or intermittent central locking
    • Warning lights across multiple systems on startup

    Typically $250–$600 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Ask if the car has ever been dead in the morning or needed a 12V boost, and how often.

    See why

    12V auxiliary battery drain leaving the car dead

    Separate from (but sometimes related to) the ICCU fault, EV6 owners report the 12V battery going flat overnight even when the main drive battery is well charged, giving a 'check 12V battery' warning and a car that won't unlock or start. Systems staying half-awake — smart chargers waking the car, pre-conditioning, third-party apps — add load. Often it's just a tired 12V battery, but repeat drains can signal the ICCU isn't topping it up, so it's worth distinguishing the two.

    What you would notice

    • 'Check 12V battery' warning
    • Car won't unlock or wake in the morning
    • Needs the emergency 12V boost function or a jump
    • Happens after sitting a few days

    Typically $250–$500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Request a Kia GDS2 battery capacity test printout and review individual module state-of-health values.

    See why

    77.4kWh BMS Cell Voltage Imbalance & Range Loss

    The 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack fitted to long-range EV6 variants is susceptible to progressive cell voltage imbalance developing within individual modules, particularly in packs that have experienced frequent DC fast charging on the 800V Ioniq network or partial-state-of-charge cycling without periodic full-balance charges. The BMS attempts passive cell balancing but cannot correct inter-module divergence beyond a calibrated threshold. Affected vehicles show measurable range degradation below the expected age-adjusted capacity, with the usable state-of-charge window narrowing asymmetrically. In advanced cases the BMS restricts charging to below 80 percent to protect weak cells, and Kia's own capacity test may flag the module for replacement under the battery warranty.

    What you would notice

    • Displayed range at 100 percent charge consistently below age-adjusted expectation by 15 percent or more
    • Battery health indicator in Kia Connect app showing degraded capacity
    • BMS warning or reduced charging speed alert during DC fast charge sessions
    • State-of-charge drops non-linearly — rapid fall from 20 percent to near-zero
    • GDS2 scan shows individual module cell voltage spread exceeding 50mV at rest

    Typically $5,500–$22,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Scan for inverter over-temperature DTCs and check freeze-frame data for ambient and coolant temperatures at fault occurrence.

    See why

    800V Inverter IGBT Thermal Stress Power Reduction

    The front and rear motor inverter IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) modules in the 800V E-GMP drivetrain are susceptible to thermal cycling fatigue under sustained high-load conditions in ambient temperatures above 28C. The power control unit detects rising junction temperatures and progressively derate output, triggering a power reduction warning. In severe cases the vehicle enters limp mode with output capped below 30kW. NZ and AU summer driving, particularly towing or sustained motorway grades, accelerates IGBT solder joint degradation. Hyundai/Kia released thermal management calibration updates but hardware replacement is required in advanced cases.

    What you would notice

    • Amber or red power reduction warning on instrument cluster
    • Sudden acceleration cut to below 30 percent of normal output
    • Vehicle enters limp mode during sustained motorway or hill driving
    • Fault codes P0A09, P1A14, or inverter over-temperature DTC stored
    • Warning clears after 20-40 minutes of low-load cooling but recurs

    Typically $7,500–$18,000 to put right.

See all 10 documented issuesEverything researched for the Kia EV6, including 1 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Kia EV6 has — 10Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

01Heat Pump Refrigerant Valve Failure & Heating Loss

ev2021 onwardCooling
OccasionalCooling $900–$3,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The EV6 optional heat pump system uses an electrically actuated multi-port refrigerant circuit valve to switch between cabin heating, cabin cooling, and battery thermal conditioning modes. In sub-5C ambient temperatures the valve solenoid coil is subject to moisture ingress and corrosion on the circuit board, causing the actuator to stick in an intermediate position. The heat pump loses the ability to extract thermal energy from ambient air for cabin heating, falling back to resistive PTC heating which draws significantly more battery energy and reduces winter range. In NZ South Island conditions where overnight temperatures regularly fall below freezing, the valve fails within 2-4 winters. Kia updated the valve sealing specification but earlier production vehicles require inspection.

Symptoms to notice

  • Cabin heating present but COP efficiency low — range drop disproportionate to ambient temperature
  • Heat pump indicator on HVAC panel shows active but cabin temperature rise is slow
  • Audible refrigerant flow change noise absent during heat pump mode selection
  • HVAC fault code for refrigerant circuit valve actuator position error stored
  • Complete cabin heat loss in temperatures below minus 5C with only PTC fallback active

What to check

  1. In sub-10C ambient conditions, activate heat pump heating mode and monitor displayed COP value in the energy flow screen — a value below 1.5 indicates valve bypass or failure.
  2. Scan HVAC controller for refrigerant expansion valve or heat pump circuit fault codes.
  3. Inspect under-bonnet area for refrigerant line moisture accumulation near the valve body.

Where to look: Multi-port refrigerant circuit valve assembly in the front frunk thermal management module, adjacent to the chiller and condenser connections

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the vehicle experienced reduced cabin heating effectiveness or slower warm-up in cold weather?”
  • “Has the heat pump system been inspected or serviced by a Kia dealer in the past two winters?”
  • “Has the vehicle displayed any HVAC warning lights or fault codes related to the heat pump or refrigerant circuit?”
  • “Is the vehicle fitted with the heat pump option and has it been operated in South Island winter conditions?”

02Front Motor Inverter Coolant Pump Bearing Failure

With the vehicle in Ready mode and stationary, listen at the front frunk area for abnormal pump noise with the bonnet open.ev2021 onwardCooling
OccasionalCooling $600–$2,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The dedicated electric coolant pump serving the front motor inverter assembly on AWD and single-motor EV6 variants uses a brushless DC motor with a ceramic bearing assembly. Under sustained high-thermal-load operation — repeated DC fast charging cycles, regenerative braking at high battery temperatures, or prolonged motorway driving in summer — the bearing races develop micro-pitting from thermal shock. The pump produces an audible whine or grinding noise before failing. When the pump stops, inverter coolant flow is lost and the thermal protection system triggers power derating within minutes. Complete bearing seizure causes inverter overheating and potential permanent damage if not detected promptly.

Symptoms to notice

  • High-pitched whine or grinding from front drivetrain area at idle or low speed
  • Inverter coolant temperature rising faster than normal during charging or motorway driving
  • Power reduction warning following DC fast charge session on warm day
  • Coolant flow warning or inverter cooling circuit fault code in GDS2
  • Audible pump noise changes pitch with ignition on but vehicle stationary

What to check

  1. With the vehicle in Ready mode and stationary, listen at the front frunk area for abnormal pump noise with the bonnet open.
  2. Check the inverter coolant circuit temperature via GDS2 live data — compare front and rear inverter coolant temperatures for asymmetry indicating failed front pump flow.
  3. Inspect coolant reservoir for discolouration or evidence of overheating.

Where to look: Electric coolant circulation pump on the front motor inverter cooling circuit, located in the front frunk thermal management assembly

Parts involved: Water pump.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the vehicle produced any unusual whining or grinding noise from under the bonnet at idle?”
  • “Has the front inverter cooling system been inspected or the coolant pump replaced?”
  • “Has the vehicle triggered a power reduction warning following repeated DC fast charging sessions?”
  • “Is there a service record of coolant system maintenance including pump inspection?”
Electrical6

01ICCU failure causing loss of drive power and dead 12V

Ask whether the ICCU recall/software update was completed and whether the ICCU has ever been replaced (and if so, how long ago).ev2021 onwardElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

0277.4kWh BMS Cell Voltage Imbalance & Range Loss

Request a Kia GDS2 battery capacity test printout and review individual module state-of-health values.ev2021 onwardElectrical
OccasionalElectrical $5,500–$22,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack fitted to long-range EV6 variants is susceptible to progressive cell voltage imbalance developing within individual modules, particularly in packs that have experienced frequent DC fast charging on the 800V Ioniq network or partial-state-of-charge cycling without periodic full-balance charges. The BMS attempts passive cell balancing but cannot correct inter-module divergence beyond a calibrated threshold. Affected vehicles show measurable range degradation below the expected age-adjusted capacity, with the usable state-of-charge window narrowing asymmetrically. In advanced cases the BMS restricts charging to below 80 percent to protect weak cells, and Kia's own capacity test may flag the module for replacement under the battery warranty.

Symptoms to notice

  • Displayed range at 100 percent charge consistently below age-adjusted expectation by 15 percent or more
  • Battery health indicator in Kia Connect app showing degraded capacity
  • BMS warning or reduced charging speed alert during DC fast charge sessions
  • State-of-charge drops non-linearly — rapid fall from 20 percent to near-zero
  • GDS2 scan shows individual module cell voltage spread exceeding 50mV at rest

What to check

  1. Request a Kia GDS2 battery capacity test printout and review individual module state-of-health values.
  2. Check Kia Connect app historical range data for the last 90 days.
  3. Confirm vehicle is eligible for the 70 percent capacity threshold battery warranty claim.
  4. Inspect charging history for frequency of 350kW DC fast charge sessions which accelerate cell stress.

Where to look: Underfloor high-voltage battery pack spanning the full wheelbase between front and rear axles

Ask the seller

  • “What is the current battery state-of-health as shown on the GDS2 diagnostic system?”
  • “Has the vehicle been charged predominantly via 350kW DC fast chargers rather than AC or 50kW DC?”
  • “Is the battery still within the Kia 10-year or 200,000km battery warranty?”
  • “Has a Kia dealer performed a formal battery capacity assessment and what was the result?”

03800V Inverter IGBT Thermal Stress Power Reduction

Scan for inverter over-temperature DTCs and check freeze-frame data for ambient and coolant temperatures at fault occurrence.ev2021 onwardElectrical
OccasionalElectrical $7,500–$18,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The front and rear motor inverter IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) modules in the 800V E-GMP drivetrain are susceptible to thermal cycling fatigue under sustained high-load conditions in ambient temperatures above 28C. The power control unit detects rising junction temperatures and progressively derate output, triggering a power reduction warning. In severe cases the vehicle enters limp mode with output capped below 30kW. NZ and AU summer driving, particularly towing or sustained motorway grades, accelerates IGBT solder joint degradation. Hyundai/Kia released thermal management calibration updates but hardware replacement is required in advanced cases.

Symptoms to notice

  • Amber or red power reduction warning on instrument cluster
  • Sudden acceleration cut to below 30 percent of normal output
  • Vehicle enters limp mode during sustained motorway or hill driving
  • Fault codes P0A09, P1A14, or inverter over-temperature DTC stored
  • Warning clears after 20-40 minutes of low-load cooling but recurs

What to check

  1. Scan for inverter over-temperature DTCs and check freeze-frame data for ambient and coolant temperatures at fault occurrence.
  2. Request full service history showing any Hyundai/Kia thermal management OTA or dealer software updates.
  3. Inspect coolant level in the orange-capped inverter cooling circuit reservoir under the bonnet.

Where to look: Front and rear motor inverter units beneath the floor-mounted drive unit housings; power control unit on top of the rear motor assembly

Ask the seller

  • “Has the vehicle ever displayed a power reduction warning during driving?”
  • “Has the dealer applied the latest inverter thermal management software calibration?”
  • “Has the vehicle been used for towing or driven in temperatures above 30C with sustained motorway loads?”
  • “Are there any stored or cleared fault codes relating to the inverter or motor controller?”

04VCU Software Crash Causing Loss of Ready Mode

Confirm the pre-charge state machine firmware patch has been applied.ev2021 onwardElectrical
CommonElectrical $0–$4,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Vehicle Control Unit on the E-GMP platform contains a firmware defect in early build variants that causes the VCU to enter an unrecoverable error state during the high-voltage system pre-charge sequence. The vehicle powers off normally but on the next start attempt the Ready lamp fails to illuminate, the drivetrain remains inert, and a cascade of BMS and VCU fault codes is stored. The issue is not triggered by any user input — it occurs randomly, including after overnight parking. Kia issued a mandatory firmware update addressing the pre-charge state machine logic. Vehicles that have not received the update remain at risk of stranding the occupants without warning.

Symptoms to notice

  • Vehicle will not enter Ready mode — drivetrain remains silent after pressing brake and start button
  • Instrument cluster illuminates but Ready indicator absent
  • Multiple simultaneous warning lights including EV system, 12V battery, and check vehicle
  • Fault resolves temporarily after locking and unlocking or after extended waiting period
  • Recurrence becomes more frequent over time without firmware update

What to check

Confirm the pre-charge state machine firmware patch has been applied. Query whether the vehicle has ever failed to enter Ready mode and whether a dealer visit was required to restore function. If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect a Kia-compatible OBD scanner or GDS2 workshop tool and check VCU software version against current Kia TSB list.

Where to look: Vehicle Control Unit located in the engine bay control module cluster, typically on the right-hand side of the front trunk area

Ask the seller

  • “Has the vehicle ever failed to enter Ready mode or required a dealer visit to restart?”
  • “Has the VCU firmware been updated to the latest version per current Kia service bulletins?”
  • “Has the vehicle received all outstanding OTA software updates?”
  • “Were there ever multiple simultaneous warning lights without any impact event?”

0512V auxiliary battery drain causing system reset and no-start

Test the 12V auxiliary battery voltage and load capacity with a dedicated battery tester.ev2022–2024ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

0612V auxiliary battery drain leaving the car dead

Ask if the car has ever been dead in the morning or needed a 12V boost, and how often.ev2021 onwardElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

01Rear electronic parking brake actuator failure

Apply and release the EPB several times and listen for smooth operation.ev2021 onwardBrakes
OccasionalBrakes $900–$2,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The EV6 uses integrated electronic parking brake actuators built into the rear calipers. The actuator motor and gear mechanism are exposed to road contamination and moisture, leading to documented failures — the parking brake fails to release (caliper stuck on) or fails to engage. Seized calipers cause dragging, premature pad and rotor wear, and pulling under braking. Replacement requires the complete caliper assembly with integrated EPB motor. Labour costs are significant due to HV safety protocols required when working near rear drivetrain.

Symptoms to notice

  • Parking brake warning light or fault code
  • Rear caliper dragging — vehicle pulls to one side
  • Excessive rear brake pad or rotor wear
  • Grinding from rear when parking brake releases
  • Parking brake fails to hold on a slope

What to check

Apply and release the EPB several times and listen for smooth operation. Check rear pad thickness — uneven wear suggests a sticking caliper. Inspect rear caliper area for corrosion or contamination buildup. If a workshop inspection is possible: Scan for EPB fault codes with a compatible OBD tool.

Where to look: Rear brake calipers, both sides

Parts involved: Brake disc and pads.

Ask the seller

  • “Any parking brake warning lights or faults?”
  • “Has either rear caliper been replaced?”
  • “Any pulling to one side when braking?”

02Rapid front tyre wear from weight and instant torque

Check tread depth and wear pattern on all four tyres, especially the fronts, and whether they match and are a proper EV-rated fitment.ev2021 onwardTyres
CommonTyres $800–$2,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The EV6 is heavy and delivers instant torque, so it chews through front tyres faster than a comparable petrol car, especially the performance GT and cars driven enthusiastically. New EV-rated tyres are expensive, and mismatched or worn tyres hurt both range and grip. It's a running cost rather than a fault, but uneven or cheap tyres can also hint at a car that's been driven hard or has an alignment issue.

Symptoms to notice

  • Front tyres worn faster than rears
  • Uneven or feathered tyre wear
  • Cheap/mismatched tyres fitted
  • Reduced range on worn or wrong tyres

What to check

Check tread depth and wear pattern on all four tyres, especially the fronts, and whether they match and are a proper EV-rated fitment. Uneven wear suggests alignment or hard driving. Budget for premium tyres.

Where to look: Front tyres

Ask the seller

  • “How many kilometres are on the current tyres?”
  • “Are they matched, quality EV-rated tyres?”
  • “Has the wheel alignment been checked recently?”

Kia EV6 faults in detail

Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

12V auxiliary battery drain causing system reset and no-startMajor · Electrical12V auxiliary battery drain leaving the car deadMajor · ElectricalICCU failure causing loss of drive power and dead 12VCritical · Electrical

Other Kia models

Kia Sorento29 documented faultsKia Sportage28 documented faultsKia Rio23 documented faultsKia Soul8 documented faultsKia Stonic7 documented faultsKia Morning5 documented faults

Kia EV6 buyer questions

Is the Kia EV6 reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 10 documented faults for the Kia EV6, the recurring problem areas are electrical, cooling, and brakes. A Kia EV6 with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Kia EV6?

We've catalogued 10 known faults for the Kia EV6, covering electrical, cooling, and brakes. All 10 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Kia EV6?

Most single repairs on the Kia EV6 fall between $800–$2,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 10 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Kia EV6?

Yes. A Kia EV6 inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.