Loss of Drive Power from Damaged Charging Unit

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

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.

Risk / consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 29, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC302.

Chronology of events

1. May 10, 2023

   May 10, 2023 Kia North America (Kia NA) Safety Office provides information relating to Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) and associated limp home mode condition involving 2022-2023MY EV6 vehicles during meeting with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defect Investigation (ODI).

2. May 29, 2023

   May 29, 2023 Kia NA Safety Office informs ODI of its plan to conduct a voluntary service campaign for certain 2022-2023MY EV6 vehicles regarding the ICCU.

3. May 30, 2023

   May 30, 2023 Kia NA Safety Office decides to conduct a voluntary service campaign (SC271) to address an over current condition in the high voltage system that can result in multiple warnings and gradual reductions in power. Three (3) cases report loss of motive power with warnings; no cases report loss of motive power without warnings. No injuries, crashes, fatalities or fires.

4. Jul 3, 2023

   July 3, 2023 ODI opens PE23-012 to investigate “consumer report experiencing a reduced or complete loss of motive power during vehicle operation increasing the risk of a crash” involving 2022MY EV6 vehicles.

5. Jul 11, 2023

   July 11, 2023—July 13, Kia NA issues SC271 dealer and owner notifications. 2023

6. Aug 18, 2023

   August 18, 2023— Kia NA submits responses to PE23-012 information requests and

7. Oct 23, 2023

   October 23, 2023 concludes no unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety exists due to 1) progressive and lengthy audible and visual warnings and messages, including instructing customer to stop the vehicle; 2) the ability to continue to drive vehicle with progressive reductions in power; and 3) low incident rate with no reported fires, accidents or injuries.

8. Feb 5, 2024

   February 5, 2024— Kia Corporation (Kia HQ) informs Kia NA Safety Office of

9. Feb 14, 2024

   February 14, 2024 elevated claims following SC271 software upgrade in other global markets. Kia NA Safety Office preliminary data analysis identifies a total of 25 unique reports of loss of motive power after receiving software update under SC271 and shares results with Kia HQ.

10. Feb 19, 2024

    February 19, 2024 Kia HQ provides Kia NA Safety Office with investigation results showing the ICCUs collected from global markets show signs of 1 damage after thermal cycling and exposure to transient voltage peaks.

11. Mar 1, 2024

    March 1, 2024 Kia NA Safety Office escalates issue to SEL.

12. Mar 7, 2024

    March 7, 2024 Kia HQ informs Kia NA Safety Office of newly developed software which was incorporated into production on 2/27/2024. Kia NA Safety Office updates data analysis and identifies a total of 34 unique reports of loss of motive power after receiving software update. [33 warranty claims; 2 techline cases and 2 customer complaints (dates of receipt 9/20/2023—2/29/2024)]. No injuries, crashes, fatalities or fires.

13. Mar 8, 2024

    March 8, 2024 Kia NA decides to recall all 2022-2023MY EV6 vehicles and certain 2024MY EV6 vehicles. No injuries, crashes, fatalities or fires. 2

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

APR 25, 2024 - APR 25, 2024

Owner notification

APR 29, 2024 - APR 29, 2024

Documents (20)