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Think about dropping your automobile off at a dealership for what looks as if an easy recall repair, solely to look at days flip into weeks and weeks into months. What was alleged to be a fast service appointment turns into an infinite ready recreation, testing your endurance, and your religion in your favourite automobile model. This actual situation unfolded for Joel Llacer, a Kia EV6 proprietor who waited an astonishing 55 days to get his automobile again from the native dealership due to an ICCU recall.
Joel shared his pleasure, and comprehensible aid, in a latest Fb submit 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 automobile again at present. The method began on February tenth and ended on April fifth, and it is such a aid to lastly have my automobile house once more. I’m so completely happy to be again on the highway.”
Joel’s pleasure of lastly getting again behind the wheel was contagious, rapidly drawing a wave of reactions from fellow EV6 house owners. However because it turned out, not everybody had the identical completely happy ending. Joel’s expertise, although frustratingly lengthy, was nonetheless higher than what another Kia EV6 house owners had 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, this is a fast breakdown with out the technical jargon: The Built-in Charging Management Unit (ICCU) is principally the brains behind your EV’s charging system. If one thing goes unsuitable right here, your automobile might refuse to cost, or worse, not run in any respect. It’s an important part that Kia has had bother with these days, and the recall has pressured many homeowners 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 automobile for 70 days and returned it to me, saying the automobile 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 prognosis 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 prospects! DM me, Kia Buyer Care.”
Ouch. Paddy’s frustration leaps proper off the web page, and who might blame him? Think about towing your automobile a number of instances, 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 you understand there’s a components scarcity; it’s one other type of torture altogether to know the components have arrived however nonetheless haven’t made it to your automobile. 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 superb automobile. It has gained over loads of followers because of 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 filled with tech.
Nonetheless, no automobile is ideal, particularly when it entails 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 just sufficient time to get snug with the automobile (learn that wild story right here).
Yet one more unlucky proprietor had their EV6 all of the sudden refuse to energy up at solely 11,500 miles, leaving them stranded and confused about what went unsuitable (test that out right here).
These tales could be exceptions quite than the rule, however they nonetheless make a robust level, new EV know-how has its quirks, and dealerships typically battle to maintain up.
Dealership Roulette: Will Yours Step Up or Let You Down?
Joel’s dealership lastly delivered, even when it took means 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 had been mistakenly informed their EV6 wanted “switch case and differential service at 60,000 miles”. Spoiler alert: the Kia EV6 doesn’t also have a conventional switch case or differential. Yikes!
It goes to point out that even professionals at dealerships are nonetheless catching up with EV know-how, resulting in misinformation and, sadly, confusion for purchasers.
Preserving the Religion within the EV6
Regardless of these hiccups, there are many completely happy Kia EV6 house owners. One proprietor confidently referred to as their EV6 “good” after eight months of possession. That’s not one thing you hear every single day within the automotive world, not to mention from a brand-new electrical automobile.
Tales like these spotlight an essential actuality, most EV6 house owners genuinely get pleasure from their autos. When Kia will get it proper, the EV6 is an impressive electrical automobile that may maintain its personal in opposition to robust competitors. However when issues go unsuitable, house owners rely closely on dealerships stepping up and fixing points promptly.
Classes Discovered: Keep Knowledgeable, Keep Proactive
Joel’s lengthy wait and supreme aid, Paddy’s ongoing frustration, and Rene’s continued uncertainty train us one thing essential: staying knowledgeable and proactive is your greatest guess when coping with dealership remembers or service points. Keep related 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 business. Observe Narek on X for every day information protection about vehicles.
Picture souces: Groke and from Joe’s submit on Kia EV6 Homeowners USA group on Fb, referenced above.
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