NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Loss of Motive Power in 2022 Kia EV6 (PE23-012)
Opened July 3, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE23-012) on July 3, 2023 into loss of motive power in 2022 Kia EV6. The investigation is closed on April 17, 2024 and led to recall 24V200000.
PE23-012 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE23-012 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | July 3, 2023 |
| Status | Closed April 17, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2022 Kia EV6 |
| Component | Electrical System > 12V/24V/48V Battery |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Resulting recall | 24V200000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Kia EV6?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On July 3, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened PE23012 to investigate allegations of loss of motor power on model year (MY) 2022 Kia EV6 vehicles.
Some consumers reported loss of motor power immediately after warning lamp illumination or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion.
This investigation found that the Integrated Charing Unit (ICCU) may become damaged over time from transient high voltage and thermal cycling.
A damaged ICCU may not be able to charge the 12-volt battery which can discharge gradually while driving with a reduction of motive power.
The vehicle could eventually experience a complete loss of motive power thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
On July 13, 2023, Kia conducted a service campaign to inspect the ICCU and install an improved over-current detection software logic in certain 2022-2023 EV6 vehicles.
On March 15, 2024, Kia filed recall 24V-200 for 48,232 MY 2022-2024 Kia EV6 vehicles.
The recall remedy provides an inspection of the ICCU, and if necessary, a replacement of the ICCU and the associated fuse.
The ICCU software reduces the risk of overcurrent and implements voltage peak reduction at the end of EV battery charging.
The recall also includes a software update that revises the electric water pump operational threshold to reduce thermal loading during charging and driving.
In view of the recall action being taken by Kia, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation.
The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 24V200000 as the result of this investigation: 2022-2024 Kia EV6 12-Volt Battery Recall (24V200).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Kia | EV6 |
What are Kia EV6 owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 277 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.