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Think about dropping your automotive off at a dealership for what looks like an easy recall repair, solely to look at days flip into weeks and weeks into months. What was purported to be a fast service appointment turns into an limitless ready sport, testing your endurance, and your religion in your favourite automotive model. This actual situation unfolded for Joel Llacer, a Kia EV6 proprietor who waited an astonishing 55 days to get his car again from the native dealership due to an ICCU recall.
Joel shared his pleasure, and comprehensible reduction, in a current Fb put up within the “KIA EV6 Homeowners USA” group: “After 55 days at my native Kia dealership as a result of ICCU recall, I lastly obtained my automotive again right this moment. The method began on February tenth and ended on April fifth, and it is such a reduction to lastly have my car dwelling once more. I’m so comfortable to be again on the highway.”
Joel’s pleasure of lastly getting again behind the wheel was contagious, shortly drawing a wave of reactions from fellow EV6 homeowners. However because it turned out, not everybody had the identical comfortable ending. Joel’s expertise, although frustratingly lengthy, was nonetheless higher than what another Kia EV6 homeowners have been experiencing at dealerships throughout the nation.
What’s Happening with the ICCU Recall Anyway?
In case you are questioning what the ICCU recall is about, here is a fast breakdown with out the technical jargon: The Built-in Charging Management Unit (ICCU) is mainly the brains behind your EV’s charging system. If one thing goes fallacious right here, your automotive might refuse to cost, or worse, not run in any respect. It’s a vital element that Kia has had bother with recently, and the recall has compelled many house owners into irritating ready video games with dealerships scrambling to maintain up with restore calls for.
Joel’s story resonated with Paddy, one other proprietor who chimed in together with his personal irritating saga: “The dealership has had my automotive for 70 days and returned it to me, saying the automotive is behaving usually. So you might be very fortunate that they got here via for you. Kia America, Kia has completely failed me. 4 tows and no analysis or plan to resolve my 12-volt drain. I’ve had three Kias in a row, and that is how they deal with their loyal clients! DM me, Kia Buyer Care.”
Ouch. Paddy’s frustration leaps proper off the web page, and who might blame him? Think about towing your automotive a number of occasions, hoping every go to would lastly be the final, solely to get it again with out an precise repair, and even worse, listening to that all the things is “regular” when clearly, it is not.
One other commenter, Rene, added one more perspective of frustration: “Mine went in Feb 11, and the half was delivered final week, however I have never obtained it.”
It is one factor to attend patiently when there’s a elements scarcity; it’s one other type of torture altogether to know the elements have arrived however nonetheless haven’t made it to your automotive. Rene’s expertise highlights a dealership communication breakdown that appears all too widespread.
Kia EV6: A Nice Automobile with a Few Rising Pains
It’s essential to keep in mind that the Kia EV6 itself is a wonderful automotive. It has received over loads of followers due to its sharp styling, spectacular driving vary, and significantly enjoyable efficiency—particularly the sporty GT variant. You’ll be able to dive deeper into what makes the 2023 EV6 GT so particular—trace: it is quick, enjoyable, and full of tech.
Nonetheless, no automotive is ideal, particularly when it includes cutting-edge know-how. Kia’s EV6, like many new electrical autos, is having its share of teething points. For instance, one other proprietor discovered themselves changing their battery thrice in simply 4,500 miles, sure, three batteries in only sufficient time to get snug with the automotive (learn that wild story right here).
One more unlucky proprietor had their EV6 immediately refuse to energy up at solely 11,500 miles, leaving them stranded and confused about what went fallacious (examine that out right here).
These tales may be exceptions fairly than the rule, however they nonetheless make a powerful level, new EV know-how has its quirks, and dealerships generally wrestle to maintain up.
Dealership Roulette: Will Yours Step Up or Let You Down?
Joel’s dealership lastly delivered, even when it took approach too lengthy. Paddy’s dealership, nonetheless, dropped the ball fully. Rene’s dealership remains to be caught someplace in between. These starkly totally different experiences make one factor crystal clear: the standard of dealership service could make or break the EV possession expertise.
We’ve even heard about dealerships giving downright weird upkeep recommendation. One proprietor shared how they have been mistakenly instructed their EV6 wanted “switch case and differential service at 60,000 miles”. Spoiler alert: the Kia EV6 doesn’t actually have a conventional switch case or differential. Yikes!
It goes to indicate that even professionals at dealerships are nonetheless catching up with EV know-how, resulting in misinformation and, sadly, confusion for patrons.
Maintaining the Religion within the EV6
Regardless of these hiccups, there are many comfortable Kia EV6 homeowners. One proprietor confidently known as their EV6 “excellent” after eight months of possession. That’s not one thing you hear day-after-day within the automotive world, not to mention from a brand-new electrical car.
Tales like these spotlight an essential actuality, most EV6 homeowners genuinely take pleasure in their autos. When Kia will get it proper, the EV6 is an excellent electrical automotive that may maintain its personal towards powerful competitors. However when issues go fallacious, homeowners rely closely on dealerships stepping up and fixing points promptly.
Classes Realized: Keep Knowledgeable, Keep Proactive
Joel’s lengthy wait and supreme reduction, Paddy’s ongoing frustration, and Rene’s continued uncertainty educate us one thing essential: staying knowledgeable and proactive is your greatest guess when coping with dealership remembers or service points. Keep linked to proprietor teams, hold observe of remembers, and talk persistently together with your dealership. Being affected person however proactive usually makes the distinction between a easy decision and months of pointless frustration.
Narek Hareyan is a younger automotive journalist with expertise in a golf cart dealership and an curiosity within the automotive trade. Observe Narek on X for each day information protection about automobiles.
Picture souces: Groke and from Joe’s put up on Kia EV6 Homeowners USA group on Fb, referenced above.
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