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Kia EV6: 12V auxiliary battery drain causing system reset and no-start

12V auxiliary battery drain causing system reset and no-start is a common electrical fault on the Kia EV6 on the 2022–2024 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $250 to $600 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 10 documented faults on the Kia EV6.

Vehicle
Kia EV6
Years
2022–2024
Fuel
ev
Gearbox
auto
System
Electrical

This page covers the Kia EV6 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Kia EV6 faults10 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the 12V battery yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

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

How to check it

Where to look. 12V auxiliary battery, typically located in the front trunk (frunk) area

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

  2. Check age and replacement history of the 12V battery.

  3. If the vehicle has sat unused for more than 2–3 weeks, check for symptoms of drain.

Parts involved: 12V battery.

What it costs to put right

$250 to $600 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the 12V auxiliary battery been replaced?”
  • “Any episodes of the car failing to power on?”
  • “Has the vehicle been left unused for extended periods?”

Now check the Kia EV6 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Kia EV6 buyer questions

Is 12v auxiliary battery drain causing system reset and no-start serious on a Kia EV6?

We rate it major and common on the Kia EV6. 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.

How much does it cost to fix on a Kia EV6?

$250 to $600 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Kia EV6 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2022–2024 Kia EV6. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Test the 12V auxiliary battery voltage and load capacity with a dedicated battery tester. Check age and replacement history of the 12V battery. If the vehicle has sat unused for more than 2–3 weeks, check for symptoms of drain. Look here: 12V auxiliary battery, typically located in the front trunk (frunk) area