Here We Go For The 3rd Battery, And 4,500 Miles In on My 2024 EV6, I’m Waiting For Kia To Tell Me Where To Dump It

Imagine spending your hard-earned money on a futuristic electric vehicle, fully expecting cutting-edge performance, impressive efficiency, and trouble-free ownership, only to find yourself endlessly stuck at the dealer’s waiting room while technicians struggle to figure out why your car keeps dying. That’s precisely the nightmare scenario that Manuel Gonzalez Astudillo finds himself living right now, with his 2024 Kia EV6.

This evening, while strolling through the “KIA EV6 Owners USA” Facebook group, one post stopped me cold. Manuel, clearly at the end of his patience, laid out his frustrating experience bluntly: “Here we go with the third or fourth battery, I’ve already lost count. I'm just waiting for Kia to tell me where to return the vehicle so I can complete the lemon law claim. It’s a 2024 EV6 Wind RWD with the tech package, 4,500 miles, and I’ve had it for just one year.”

Reading those words, I felt the kind of secondhand frustration anyone might feel when hearing about such a nightmare scenario. While the EV6 has earned praise for performance, style, and forward-thinking tech, especially with models like the powerful EV6 GT boasting 585 horsepower and advanced E-LSD, Manuel’s experience paints a much darker reality.

Manuel’s post quickly gathered comments from other group members, highlighting the unsettling fact that he’s not alone in his frustration.

Alois, a former EV6 GT-Line owner, shared his decision to return to traditional gasoline-powered performance cars: “Just wait a few weeks, they’ll be building Hemis again soon. I had a fully loaded EV6 77.4 kWh GT-Line AWD for two years and was glad to get rid of it. I bought a brand new 5.0 Mustang convertible and have been very happy ever since.”

Meanwhile, Andrew, another experienced EV6 owner, offered practical yet cautionary advice on how to potentially avoid future battery woes: “The problem is right there on the label: 'KIA Genuine Battery.' If they install another low-quality Kia battery this time, consider buying a lithium battery made specifically for the EV6 and follow YouTube instructions to swap it out. Just make sure to disable the high-voltage system before touching anything. Keep the OEM battery instead of exchanging it so you don’t risk voiding the warranty. If you don’t want to spend $450 on a lithium battery, there are other options, I installed a $250 DieHard EV/Hybrid battery three years and 40,000 miles ago and haven’t had any issues since. Also, make sure the dealer neutralizes and removes any battery acid before installing the new one, or you’ll end up dealing with serious rust problems down the road.”

Andrew’s comment is a critical reminder: the issues EV owners face isn’t just about inconvenience, they can involve long-term financial and maintenance headaches if the root problems aren’t properly addressed.

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated scenario. Another Kia EV6 owner recently shared his frustrating roadside assistance experience after his 11,500-mile EV6 refused to start. The roadside tech remarked offhandedly that this was already the fourth or fifth EV he had encountered with similar issues, a troubling sign indeed.

That’s especially unfortunate, because the EV6 otherwise excels in key areas. Even first-time electric car buyers find themselves impressed, despite minor flaws, noting how enjoyable the EV6 is to drive. But all those positives vanish instantly when your expensive new car is repeatedly out of commission.

And therein lies the ultimate irony: Kia’s EV6, celebrated for its high-tech features and superb performance, such as its optimized range in snowy conditions, is struggling with the most fundamental aspect of electric vehicle ownership: reliable battery performance.

My Opinion

Having followed Kia closely and tested several EV6 models, including the exciting 2024 EV6 GT, I genuinely admire the car’s performance and design. It's innovative, engaging to drive, and visually appealing. However, incidents like Manuel's raise red flags that cannot, and should not, be ignored. Kia must urgently prioritize solving its recurring battery issues, or else risk alienating buyers who trusted them with their hard-earned money. Reliability is the cornerstone of vehicle ownership, especially in a market still cautious about adopting electric vehicles. Kia would do well to understand that a few spectacular failures can seriously tarnish a promising reputation.

Moral Lesson: Know What You’re Getting Into

Manuel’s frustrating journey with repeated battery replacements teaches us an essential lesson: before diving headfirst into any cutting-edge technology, especially electric vehicles, it’s crucial to research thoroughly. Yes, the excitement and promises of new technology can be tempting. But understanding the risks, reading real-world owner experiences, and being prepared for unexpected scenarios can help prevent costly and frustrating surprises. It's always better to know what you're getting into than to learn it the hard way after you've already signed on the dotted line.

Let’s Talk, Share Your Story!

Have you experienced battery or reliability issues with your EV6, or perhaps another electric car? What was your dealership or manufacturer experience like? Share your story in the comments section below.

If you had to buy your car again today, knowing what you know now, would you choose another EV, or would you return to a traditional combustion-powered car like Alois did?

Your insights could genuinely help fellow readers make better-informed choices.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.

Images are from Manuel Gonzalez-Astudillo's post on KIA EV6 Owners USA open group on Facebook, referenced above, and used under the Fair Use clause of the US Copyright Law.