2023 Kia EV6: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Electrical · WA · fire

My 2023 Kia EV6 was subject to recall SC327 (the federal safety agency 24V‑867, ICCU); the recall remedy on Nov 19, 2024 was an inspection and software update only. After the remedy, the car repeatedly lost all 12-volt power (Feb 2025 and Apr 2025). Each time, the dealer said it could not find the cause — its hands were tied, it said, because Kia corporate required a diagnostic code and some codes did not yet exist for a car this new — and it repeatedly replaced parts, including the 12V battery twice and the battery sensor, to "hope for the best." On May 12, 2026, while driving about 25 mph, I heard a loud pop/bang from under the car, an electrical warning appeared, the vehicle lost power and stopped in traffic, and would not shift out of Park or move. The dealer found the high-voltage box exploded, all high-voltage fuses blown including the 500-amp fuse, the power relay assembly shorted, and connectors damaged by heat; about $16,324 of high-voltage components were replaced under warranty. The dealer and Kia engineering could not determine the cause; the service advisor wrote on July 22, 2026: "We do not have a smoking gun as to what caused all of this… anything is all a guess." On Oct 17, 2026 I found the car completely dead again at the dealership, and it has continued to show electrical faults. After I retrieved the car on Oct 26, 2026, it developed further electrical faults, which I reported to the dealership in writing, including the mirror and remote start failing, false door-unlocked warnings while driving, and two occasions when the car stalled and then recovered. On Nov 2, 2026, the car displayed a charging fault and would not charge at all; the dealership's general manager advised me in writing to discontinue charging attempts until the vehicle is evaluated. The dealership has repeatedly declined to state that the vehicle is safe to drive. I am concerned the vehicle is unsafe and that the recall remedy has not corrected the defect.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MO

The ICCU on the car died in the middle of the street, car would not shift out of park. Car completely died after a few minutes.

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · NY

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · MO

It seems as if the ICCU on my car failed. It will not charge and went into limp mode in order for me to drive it home a few blocks.

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

ICCU failure. Car was dropped off with Kia and the (second) recall they claimed to have performed did not fix the 12-v battery charging system error. They ordered in a new part, which was on national backorder and they provided no ETA. I had to purchase a replacement vehicle after 30 days of them having the vehicle without making the repair, providing an update, or having given me a loaner. Received message it was fixed after 37 days, but no information whether it is with a new part. Subreddit for the EV6 shows this is a widespread issue that has not been permanently resolved. When the ICCU fails, you are limited to 25mph "limp mode" and will lose ability to move car if 12V battery dies.

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

While driving my car a warning flashed stating "check electrical vehicle system." Pulled over, contacted Kia of Abilene and asked if we could drive the car to the dealership. While on the phone another warning flashed ""Stop vehicle and check power supply." Attempted to drive car, "Limp mode or turtle mode" occurred and the max speed for the car was 25mph, sudden loss of acceleration. Made it home, which was approximately 2 miles away, and it seems like the 12V battery was draining quickly. Eventually the vehicle stalled at home and became unresponsive, no power. Contacted roadside assistance and the vehicle was towed to Kia of Abilene. All of this occurred March 29th at approximately noon. The dealership finally contacted us today, April 2nd, and notified us it was an ICCU failure and the part wasn't available with no foreseeable time-frame for repair. The car is absolutely inoperable!

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · OR

driving at around 35mph I heard a pop and a warning showed up on the dash stating "stop vehicle and check power supply". This warning put the car into limp mode as I was about to turn on to a busier road to get to my place of employment. The car was then towed, at the request of Kia, to the nearest dealership. It was diagnosed a few days later as having a faulty ICCU, or integrated charging control unit. There were no indications of the problem before the loud pop which I am assuming was a fuse blowing, and the car entering limp mode and showing warnings on the dash. This is a known issue by Kia as I have had my car in for multiple recalls regarding the ICCU.

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · CT

I was on my way to the highway when about one mile from home when without warning vehicle went into Limp Mode. Acceleration suddenly dropped to 25mph. It was very dangerous trying to drive uphill on a busy road at limited power to get back to my home. Thankfully I was not yet on the highway. Dealer said that both the ICCU and fuse that were inspected a month ago due to a recall and found to have no error codes in January now need to be replaced. Parts on back order with no ETA.

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Electrical · PA

While driving, the vehicle screen showed an electrical warning on the screen. The car went into limp mode and dropped to 25 MPH. 5 minutes later, the screen showed a critical electrical issue and said I needed to pull over as soon as possible. It was towed to a dealership. They found the ICCU is faulty. Because so many EV6's have this problem, it is on national backorder, My concern this vehicle seems to be a safety hazard where it shuts itself down and strands its driver because of faulty parts.

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Acceleration · OR

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.