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CriticalCommonElectrical

Kia EV6: ICCU failure causing loss of drive power and dead 12V

ICCU failure causing loss of drive power and dead 12V is a common electrical fault on the Kia EV6 on the 2021 onward cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $5,000 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
2021 onward
Fuel
ev
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

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

How to check it

Where to look. ICCU / onboard charging module (under the vehicle); 12V battery in the boot

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

  2. Confirm there are no EV-system warning lights.

  3. Ask if the car has ever lost power or been recovered on a truck.

Parts involved: 12V battery.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $5,000 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

  • “Was the ICCU recall done and has the ICCU been replaced?”
  • “Has the car ever lost power or shown an EV-system warning?”
  • “Has the 12V battery gone flat unexpectedly?”

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 the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • InsideEVs 'Hyundai's ICCU Problem: Here's What We Know'
  • Consumer Reports 'Hyundai and Kia's Charging Unit Issues Cause Problems for EV Owners'
  • Kia EV Forum 'another EV6 Owner with 12v battery issues and most likely ICCU Failure' thread

Kia EV6 buyer questions

Is iccu failure causing loss of drive power and dead 12v serious on a Kia EV6?

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

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

$2,500 to $5,000 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 2021 onward 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?

Ask whether the ICCU recall/software update was completed and whether the ICCU has ever been replaced (and if so, how long ago). Confirm there are no EV-system warning lights. Ask if the car has ever lost power or been recovered on a truck. Look here: ICCU / onboard charging module (under the vehicle); 12V battery in the boot