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Imagine dropping your car off at a dealership for what seems like a straightforward recall fix, only to watch days turn into weeks and weeks into months. What was supposed to be a quick service appointment becomes an endless waiting game, testing your patience, and your faith in your favorite car brand. This exact scenario unfolded for Joel Llacer, a Kia EV6 owner who waited an astonishing 55 days to get his vehicle back from the local dealership because of an ICCU recall.
Joel shared his excitement, and understandable relief, in a recent Facebook post in the "KIA EV6 Owners USA" group: “After 55 days at my local Kia dealership due to the ICCU recall, I finally got my car back today. The process started on February 10th and ended on April 5th, and it's such a relief to finally have my vehicle home again. I’m so happy to be back on the road.”
Joel’s joy of finally getting back behind the wheel was contagious, quickly drawing a wave of reactions from fellow EV6 owners. But as it turned out, not everyone had the same happy ending. Joel’s experience, though frustratingly long, was still better than what some other Kia EV6 owners were experiencing at dealerships across the country.
What's Going on with the ICCU Recall Anyway?
In case you're wondering what the ICCU recall is about, here's a quick breakdown without the technical jargon: The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) is basically the brains behind your EV’s charging system. If something goes wrong here, your car could refuse to charge, or worse, not run at all. It’s a crucial component that Kia has had trouble with lately, and the recall has forced many owners into frustrating waiting games with dealerships scrambling to keep up with repair demands.
Joel’s story resonated with Paddy, another owner who chimed in with his own frustrating saga: “The dealership has had my car for 70 days and returned it to me, saying the car is behaving normally. So you are very lucky that they came through for you. Kia America, Kia has totally failed me. Four tows and no diagnosis or plan to resolve my 12-volt drain. I have had three Kias in a row, and this is how they treat their loyal customers! DM me, Kia Customer Care.”
Ouch. Paddy’s frustration leaps right off the page, and who could blame him? Imagine towing your car multiple times, hoping each visit would finally be the last, only to get it back without an actual fix, or even worse, hearing that everything is "normal" when clearly, it isn't.
Another commenter, Rene, added yet another perspective of frustration: “Mine went in Feb 11, and the part was delivered last week, but I haven't received it.”
It's one thing to wait patiently when you know there’s a parts shortage; it’s another kind of torture altogether to know the parts have arrived but still haven’t made it to your car. Rene’s experience highlights a dealership communication breakdown that seems all too common.
Kia EV6: A Great Car with a Few Growing Pains
It’s important to remember that the Kia EV6 itself is an excellent car. It has won over plenty of fans thanks to its sharp styling, impressive driving range, and seriously fun performance—especially the sporty GT variant. You can dive deeper into what makes the 2023 EV6 GT so special—hint: it's fast, fun, and packed with tech.
Still, no car is perfect, especially when it involves cutting-edge technology. Kia’s EV6, like many new electric vehicles, is having its share of teething issues. For example, another owner found themselves replacing their battery three times in just 4,500 miles, yes, three batteries in barely enough time to get comfortable with the car (read that wild story here).
Yet another unfortunate owner had their EV6 suddenly refuse to power up at only 11,500 miles, leaving them stranded and confused about what went wrong (check that out here).
These stories might be exceptions rather than the rule, but they still make a strong point, new EV technology has its quirks, and dealerships sometimes struggle to keep up.
Dealership Roulette: Will Yours Step Up or Let You Down?
Joel's dealership finally delivered, even if it took way too long. Paddy’s dealership, however, dropped the ball completely. Rene’s dealership is still caught somewhere in between. These starkly different experiences make one thing crystal clear: the quality of dealership service can make or break the EV ownership experience.
We’ve even heard about dealerships giving downright bizarre maintenance advice. One owner shared how they were mistakenly told their EV6 needed "transfer case and differential service at 60,000 miles". Spoiler alert: the Kia EV6 doesn’t even have a traditional transfer case or differential. Yikes!
It goes to show that even professionals at dealerships are still catching up with EV technology, leading to misinformation and, unfortunately, confusion for customers.
Keeping the Faith in the EV6
Despite these hiccups, there are plenty of happy Kia EV6 owners. One owner confidently called their EV6 "perfect" after eight months of ownership. That’s not something you hear every day in the automotive world, let alone from a brand-new electric vehicle.
Stories like these highlight an important reality, most EV6 owners genuinely enjoy their vehicles. When Kia gets it right, the EV6 is an outstanding electric car that can hold its own against tough competition. But when things go wrong, owners rely heavily on dealerships stepping up and fixing issues promptly.
Lessons Learned: Stay Informed, Stay Proactive
Joel’s long wait and ultimate relief, Paddy’s ongoing frustration, and Rene’s continued uncertainty teach us something crucial: staying informed and proactive is your best bet when dealing with dealership recalls or service issues. Stay connected to owner groups, keep track of recalls, and communicate persistently with your dealership. Being patient but proactive often makes the difference between a smooth resolution and months of unnecessary frustration.
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.
Image souces: Groke and from Joe's post on Kia EV6 Owners USA group on Facebook, referenced above.
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