EV6 (1st)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2022-2025 Kia EV6
That's roughly 7.8x the typical rate for BEVs in this dataset (median 5.5 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 217 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Sample complaint excerpts
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2022] Electrical propulsion failure resulting in 3 tow-ins. Vehicle goes into limp mode, slows to 20 mph on highway and then stops after about 2 miles. The issue appears related to the ICCU, fuse and 12V battery failures. History includes 6 attached ICCU related Repairs. #1 ICCU updated under recall SC271 at 31,678 miles. #2 Then the ICCU was replaced under recall SC302 at 45,059 miles. #3 Then t
- [2022] A warning came up on the dashboard to “Check electric vehicle system”. 12v battery light also on. Vehicle went into limp mode and drove at 45 mph max for a period of time, then dropped to 27 mph max. Inspections at Ziegler Kia in Holland, MI, found the ICCU was faulty and needs to be replaced. This vehicle has already had the ICCU recall applied, yet ICCU has failed again.
- [2022] Persistent ICCU failure causing charging interruptions, “Check Vehicle Charging System” → “Stop vehicle and check power supply” warnings, low 12V battery voltage (down to 12.1V), and risk of power loss/strand. Kia Connect sent “Charge Interrupted” alert during a session that reached 99%. Multiple prior recalls/attempts failed to resolve (Sep 2023 TSB ELE291 BMS, Jun 2024 SC271 ICCU SW, Jan 2025 SC
Electric Propulsion
- [2022] Electrical propulsion failure resulting in 3 tow-ins. Vehicle goes into limp mode, slows to 20 mph on highway and then stops after about 2 miles. The issue appears related to the ICCU, fuse and 12V battery failures. History includes 6 attached ICCU related Repairs. #1 ICCU updated under recall SC271 at 31,678 miles. #2 Then the ICCU was replaced under recall SC302 at 45,059 miles. #3 Then t
- [2022] Driving down highway and check electrical vehicle system came on vehicle said pull over as soon as safely possible EV six started to go into turtle mode slow down to half speed then quarter speed before I was able to pull it into a safe spot took it into dealer after having it to be towed ICCU failure and they are ordering a new part for replacement. Also drained the entire 12 V battery.
- [2022] A warning came up on the dashboard to “Check electric vehicle system”. 12v battery light also on. Vehicle went into limp mode and drove at 45 mph max for a period of time, then dropped to 27 mph max. Inspections at Ziegler Kia in Holland, MI, found the ICCU was faulty and needs to be replaced. This vehicle has already had the ICCU recall applied, yet ICCU has failed again.
High-Voltage Battery
- [2022] A warning came up on the dashboard to “Check electric vehicle system”. 12v battery light also on. Vehicle went into limp mode and drove at 45 mph max for a period of time, then dropped to 27 mph max. Inspections at Ziegler Kia in Holland, MI, found the ICCU was faulty and needs to be replaced. This vehicle has already had the ICCU recall applied, yet ICCU has failed again.
- [2022] Persistent ICCU failure causing charging interruptions, “Check Vehicle Charging System” → “Stop vehicle and check power supply” warnings, low 12V battery voltage (down to 12.1V), and risk of power loss/strand. Kia Connect sent “Charge Interrupted” alert during a session that reached 99%. Multiple prior recalls/attempts failed to resolve (Sep 2023 TSB ELE291 BMS, Jun 2024 SC271 ICCU SW, Jan 2025 SC
- [2022] In November 2024, my 2022 Kia EV6 became suddenly non-drivable due to electrical failure consistent with a repeat ICCU/12-volt system malfunction. The vehicle would not start or maintain normal electrical power and became stuck in accessory mode, creating a loss of propulsion and complete loss of transportation. This vehicle previously experienced an ICCU failure earlier in 2024 that required dea
Charging System
- [2022] When attempting to level one charge the vehicle at home, the car returned a failure to charge error and would not charge. This was attempted several times using different outlets and the same error occurred. The car was brought to Gettel Kia in Bradenton Florida. The dealership confirmed that the ICCU had failed,. They did not have the part and apparently it is on backorder. The repair is being c
- [2022] Incident occured october 17, 2024. Was driving approximately 30mph on a local road when lights flashed to "check electric vehicle system". Was speed restricted to 25mph (on 45mph road) and was able to make it back home approximately 1 mile away. Car completely shut down in my street prior to making it to my driveway. It needed to be towed to the nearest dealership. No lights in dash working and fl
- [2022] This electric vehicle failed to charge at level 2 charger at home. It charged at level 3 fast chargers however it registered a full charge at 125 miles and the level of charge in % and miles remaining fluctuated with sudden shifts. There were no warning lights or other signs of problems. I took it to the dealership who wanted me to keep driving and wait a week for an appointment. I knew that thi
Regenerative Braking
- [2022] There exists a serious manufacturing defect in that the brake lights do not turn on when the car is used in one-pedal drive mode and even a rapid deceleration occurs due to regenerative braking. This was documented by Consumer Reports and it presents a critical safety hazard. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/brake-lights-can-fail-to-provide-fair-warning-on-some-evs-a9533519285/?EX
- [2022] Brake lights do not illuminate when using the Regenerative Braking System in the Kia EV6. The vehicle is fitted with a 'one-pedal-driving' system that allows the vehicle to slow down and stop without actuation of the brake pedal. When using this system, the vehicle can decelerate rapidly and to a complete stop, however the brake lights do not illuminate unless the drivers foot is completely remov
- [2023] Component/System Failure: The i-Pedal feature in the Kia EV6, designed for one-pedal driving through regenerative braking, consistently fails to stay engaged. This component is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk:The erratic behavior of the i-Pedal function poses a significant safety risk. When the i-Pedal mode disengages unexpectedly, drivers must abruptly switch to using traditio
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2022] Software updated for recalls still have ICCU failed. P1A90 [0x1A90] ios_Archive Status: Permanent ---------------------------- P0AA6(00) [0x0AA600] Hybrid battery voltage system - isolation fault Status: Test failed, Test failed (current drive cycle), Pending, Confirmed, Test failed since last DTC clear, Warning indicator requested ---------------------------- P1A90(96) [0x1A9096] Status: Test fa
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Battery: Hyundai e-GMP 77.4 kWh (NCM)
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 10 yr / 100k mi to 70% capacity.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
Battery: Hyundai e-GMP 58 kWh (Standard Range)
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 10 yr / 100k mi to 70% capacity.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
Recalls (4)
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.
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.
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.
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 EV6 vehicles. A software error in the Shifter Control Unit (SCU) may disengage the parking mechanism, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2022-2025 Kia EV6 problems?
The 2022-2025 Kia EV6 has accumulated 464 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are general mechanical issues. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Kia EV6 engine is most reliable?
The 2022-2025 Kia EV6 was offered with 0 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the base engine has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2022-2025 Kia EV6 a good used car?
The 2022-2025 Kia EV6 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 464 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2022-2025 Kia EV6 have?
The 2022-2025 Kia EV6 has 464 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2022-2025 Kia EV6?
There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2022-2025 Kia EV6 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Kia EV6?
Before buying a used Kia EV6, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to general mechanical issues, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the EV6?
The 2025 Kia EV6 received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (8.2% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 464 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.