2023 KIA EV6 Complaints

While driving with the power liftgate partially open, I experienced an inability to accelerate after coming to a stop. I pressed the accelerator and the car rolled gently forward into an intersection at a speed less than 2MPH. A warning displayed on the dash that I needed to close the liftgate before the vehicle would operate correctly, which was impossible because I was in the middle of an intersection with a large chair blocking the liftgate from closing. I was able to restore functionality by turning the car off and turning it back on. Prior to this, there were audible and visual alarms about the open liftgate after each stop. These alarms are described in the manual, which instructs the driver to close the liftgate when the alarms sound. However, driving with a liftgate open is a common use for an small SUV when hauling large or long objects, and contravenes no laws when done properly and safely. The manual does not state, so I did not anticipate, that the vehicle would enter a "limp mode" if I continued to ignore the alarms. Being unexpectedly unable to accelerate is a dangerous behavior, especially if you are in the position to make a left turn across traffic and the car goes into limp mode with cars oncoming. I consider this a safety concern because 1) driving with the liftgate open is not an inherently unsafe activity that warrants disabling the vehicle, and 2) the manual fails to state that the driver might experience sudden loss of ability to accelerate with the liftgate open.

Car vibrated to degree it was hard to control. Initial tire balancing did not fix the issue. The tire was removed from the rim and a separated balled-up foam tire liner was found and removed. My concern is if this happens again in one of the other tires and causes an accident.

Vehicle does not charge at the full 11 kW it's rated for on a level 2 EVSE. It gets charge interrupted. I've had the SC311 installed which causes the car to lower the charging rate automatically instead of just dropping charge. But I still can't get the full charge rate. This occurs on my home level 2 EVSE, on each of the 12 level 2 EVSE ports I use at work, and out in town. The charging port gets extremely hot when charging and is not designed to pass the full 50 amps it's rated for. It struggles at anything over 25 amps. The extreme temperatures of the charging port can cause a fire or burns to people. The car needs to be recalled and the J1772 charging port and sensors needs to be replaced. This complaint is very common in the various EV6 owner's forums.

I was pulling into a mall parking lot. The vehicle started beeping and popped up a message on the dash saying "stop vehicle and check power supply". The vehicle slowed to maximum 25 miles per hour. The battery died completely the vehicle has no power at all and cannot be driven or even moved off the roadway - there is no way to even get it into neutral now. The dealership wont look at the vehicle for 2-3 weeks even though it is only 1 year old. I did pull off the road before all this happened but it was so sudden and happened so quickly that I was very aware of how dangerous this could have been had I not heeded that warning immediately.

My Kia EV6, AWD Wind has the exact problem described in this Ionic 5 video, [XXX] , which addresses your TSB 24-EV-003H. It appears my EV6 uses the same electric oil pump (EOP) as the Ionic 5, so I am not sure why the EV6 was not included in your TSB? The first 14 months I owned my car, I loved it, then in June after I started driving for 45 to 60 mins, the car ride started becoming rough or unsmooth. After researching it on the Internet and purchasing some diagnostic tools, I figured out, that when I start driving the car there is a demand signal for the EOP but the pump has no rpm, no torque and no DC current. Depending on driving conditions, it appears the rear motor stops propelling the car when it reaches 190 to 205 degrees and the front motor kicks in to do all the propulsion. Under the front motor propulsion, the car has a definite “lag” in responsiveness which I consider extremely unsafe as I expect to get an instantaneous response when I step on the accelerator not a lethargic response with no “zip”. It is similar to the difference between a turbojet engine and a turbofan engine. It has been to my Kia dealership’s service dept where they told me they duplicated the the switch from the rear to the front motor but after talking to Kia this condition was “normal” as the computer calculated this was the most efficient operation of the car I said that was BS and asked them if they checked the oil pump and was told yes. Bottom line, it’s the same EOP as the Ionic 5 and the EV6 has the same problems with it except there is no displayed fault code so Kia fails to acknowledge the problem. Also, based on what I see when the motors switch, the on board screen display shows the front motor with 5-7 bars of whatever the measurement is and the rear motor has only 1 or 0 bars but the OBD data shows both motors with the same rpm? Three EV6 problems: EOP inoperative, no fault code, data disconnect (OBD vs displayed data). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Kia EV6. The contact stated that the controls for the heating and cooling system on the steering wheel were too close and were a distraction. The contact stated that sunlight made it difficult to check the controls. While checking the features, the contact veered off the road. The contact stated that his hands lightly touched the controls, and he was unable to determine if the features were activated for the heated seats or the steering wheel. The contact stated that the controls needed to be less sensitive. The seats and steering wheel became hot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

The brake lights illuminate too early and often under [even very] gentle deceleration. My '23 EV6 GT is driven primarily in Level 1 (minimal) regenerative braking mode and the threshold for brake light activation clearly is far too low. The appearance of "riding the brakes" is dangerous because those who follow are not alerted when the driver transitions from [essentially] coasting to actually hitting the brakes. Also, at least in my mid-Atlantic suburban area, even the appearance of "brake checking" other drivers incites road rage, which I experience most days, especially when using cruise control, unless driving with regenerative braking disabled (Level 0). SC273 was necessary and prudent because the brake lights failed to illuminate under significant deceleration, confusing those who follow. SA541 was necessary and prudent because the brake lights illuminated inconsistently on uneven road surfaces, confusing those who follow. Another VCU software logic upgrade is necessary and prudent because the brake lights fail to distinguish between [essentially] coasting vs. significant deceleration, confusing those who follow, and potentially (demonstrably!) inciting road rage. Other owners agree: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Kia EV6. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the console displayed that the drive mode independently switched from rear wheel to front wheel only. The vehicle was driven to a safe location and parked. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit for approximately thirty minutes; then the vehicle was started the vehicle and driven to the destination. The failure reoccurred, and the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Ev6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the battery had been replaced approximately four times. The local dealer was able to diagnose the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V200000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

A couple of months ago the breaks started making a strange grinding noise and it starts vibrating for a few brief seconds, but violently. There are no warning lights or any indication of malfunction. I took it to the dealership and they allegedly fixed it. Nevertheless, less than a month later, the noise came back, and not just a noise, but the vehicle attempts to stop abruptly without me engaging the breaks. It happens intermittently, and it is quite scary when it happens while driving high speed on a freeway. It creates safety issues. This is not my first EV. I am very familiar with EVs, regenerative breaking, and so on. This is not a regenerative breaking issue. I don't even know how to properly describe it. it is very unusual.