While driving southbound on the [XXX] in a rented 2023 Kia EV6 from The Hertz Corporation, picked up in [XXX] on XXX, the vehicle entered "Power Limited" mode without warning. The vehicle lost normal propulsion and decelerated from highway speed to a crawl, forcing 4-5 emergency stops onto the highway shoulder over several miles while semi-trucks passed at 70+ mph in live traffic, with two minor children in the vehicle. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned at a highway rest stop on Hertz Roadside Assistance's instruction and towed. This vehicle was subject to three the federal safety agency recall campaigns for the ICCU defect that produces exactly this failure mode: 24V057000 (SC295, driveshaft, notice mailed XXX), 24V200000 (SC302, ICCU 12V charging failure/Power Limited mode, notice mailed XXX), and 24V867000 (SC327, expanded ICCU remedy superseding SC302, notice mailed XXX) — all mailed well before this vehicle was rented to me on XXX. Under 49 U.S.C. §30120(i), a rental company may not rent a covered rental vehicle subject to an unremedied safety recall. I am requesting the federal safety agency use its inspection authority under 49 U.S.C. §30166 to determine whether Hertz completed the required SC327 remedy on this vehicle before renting it to me, and to review Hertz's fleet-wide recall compliance for its Kia EV6 inventory. This does not appear to be an isolated incident: the federal safety agency complaint ODI XXX, filed XXX, describes a near-identical failure — a rented 2023 Kia EV6 (Dollar Rent A Car, a Hertz-owned brand) losing power and shutting down multiple times on the freeway during a single trip, also towed. Two renters, two Hertz-family rentals, same defect signature, five months apart. Hertz has been on written and verbal notice of this incident since XXX, and I sent a formal written demand on XXX with a response deadline of XXX. As of this filing, Hertz has not responded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2023 Kia EV6 transmission problems
26 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia EV6 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2023 Kia EV6 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the drive shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC295.
Recall number 24V057000 · Recall details
What 2023 Kia EV6 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving a rented 2023 Kia EV6 on the freeway, the vehicle lost power and shut down completely, without warning, on multiple separate occasions during a single trip. This occurred at highway speed in live traffic, creating a serious risk to vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle was a rental (Dollar Rent A Car); no external damage or collision was involved. The vehicle has since been towed.
First ICCU the power completely went out on 2/23/26. Power went out again April, 2026. Currently car is immobile and unreliable and not safe for driving due to power failures. Towed car to Kia Cerritos. Car supposedly "fixed" (with other issues I've reported to KIA of America & CA BAR/DMV) Currently 12V battery is not holding charge as of 4/27/26, 4/28/26, and 5/2/26. I received a letter from KIA stating ICCU and inability to charge, Keep this Letter in your Glove Box for a free diagnosis and possible no cost servicing. As an older American this is inherently unsafe, as I travel for work and cannot be stuck on the road. The vehicle suddenly loses power in traffic. It simply stops running. This is my 5th attempt to file this very complaint between April and 6/14/26.
ICCU failure, a well known issue with these cars.
ICCU failed despite all prior recall updates being performed. Incident began when home circuit breaker tripped; vehicle subsequently refused Level 1 charging with "Check Electrical System" warning. Per dealer suggestion, tested public chargers. Level 3 (DC) worked, but upon connecting to Level 2 (AC/J1772), a loud "pop" occurred, and the public charging station immediately suffered a mechanical failure/shutdown. Vehicle then displayed "Stop vehicle and check power supply," and was unable to drive above 40mph (with a turtle icon visible on the dash) once I pulled away from the charging station. This created a significant safety hazard while navigating traffic. Within two hours, the 12V battery was completely depleted; vehicle was unresponsive and required a jump-start for towing. Dealer confirmed ICCU failure requiring replacement. The fact that the vehicle's internal failure caused the immediate malfunction of public infrastructure is deeply concerning, as was the loss of motive power on the road.
Repeated failed attempts to repair ICCU culminating in ICCU failure. May 15, 2024 – Initial repair attempt (ICCU-related recall/service). September 5, 2024 – VCMS logic recall performed. December 19, 2024 –second repair attempt for ICCU-related issue. October 16, 2025 – Limp-home logic recall performed. March 11, 2026- Vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and was rendered undrivable. Repeated attempts to avoid ICCU failure still resulted in said ICCU failure and a loss of propulsion event while vehicle was on the road.
ICCU Failure. It's been replaced by Kia under warranty. Initially Level 2 charging failed multiple times. Luckily mine didn't die on the road, but it very well could've like others reported.
The ICCU failed. The vehicle suddenly stopped on the road, would not go into any gear and could not be moved whatsoever, was stuck on the side of the road in a dangerous position. Called roadside assistance, after a few hours the vehicle was towed to the nearest dealership. After a week the vehicle had the ICCU replaced under warranty.
1st instance: Battery Coolant errors that occurred on and off. 2nd instance: The ICCU unit failed and car was not able to charge via level 2 and only fast charge. Car was still operable. Dealer replaced ICCU 3rd instance: The ICCU failed and car was rendered inoperable. Dealer Replaced ICCU. We are now on our third ICCU since we purchased the car in 11/26/2022. This would be considered a lemon law
While driving my Kia EV6 in the middle of a snowstorm, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe power failure. I heard a loud popping sound from the rear of the cabin, after which the vehicle immediately entered reduced-power (limp) mode. Within approximately one minute, the vehicle shut down entirely and lost all propulsion and mobility. I was able to move the vehicle to a safe location only because I was not in traffic or on the highway at the time of the failure. Had this occurred at highway speeds or in active traffic, it would likely have resulted in a dangerous situation with a high risk of collision, especially given the severe winter weather, low visibility, and slippery road conditions. The vehicle has approximately 21,000 miles. This is the second failure of the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) in this vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Kia dealer, who has officially diagnosed the failure as a failed ICCU and associated fuse. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The first indication of a problem was the popping sound, immediately followed by limp mode and then a complete shutdown without further warning. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The repeat nature of this failure, lack of advance warning, and sudden loss of propulsion represent a serious safety defect.
Questions about the 2023 Kia EV6 transmission
Does the 2023 Kia EV6 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the transmission of the 2023 Kia EV6, 19% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia EV6 transmission problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Kia EV6 transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 24V057000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia EV6 have bad transmission?
The Kia EV6 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2022 (41 complaints), 2023 (26 complaints) and 2024 (17 complaints).
Other 2023 Kia EV6 problems
Electrical 105Fuel system 30Engine 14Acceleration 8Brakes 6Tires 3Driver assistance 2Visibility 2Wheels 2Body 1Lights 1Steering 1
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