If you’re eyeing a used 2022 Kia EV6, you’ve probably heard two very different stories. On one side, glowing reviews about its fast charging, sharp styling, and fun-to-drive character. On the other, worrying threads about sudden power loss and charging failures. This guide pulls together owner reports, reliability data, recalls, and real-world experience so you can decide whether a 2022 EV6 belongs in your driveway.
Early-production EV reality
Overview: How Reliable Is the 2022 Kia EV6?
From a distance, the 2022 EV6 looks like a solid bet. J.D. Power owners give it an overall score in the low 80s out of 100, with a Quality & Reliability score in the high 70s, squarely average to slightly above-average for a compact SUV. At the same time, Consumer Reports currently rates the 2022 EV6’s reliability below the average new car, driven mainly by charging and electrical issues on early builds.
2022 Kia EV6 Reliability at a Glance
So where does that leave you? In plain English: the 2022 EV6 is not a disaster, but it’s not problem-free. It combines a fundamentally strong battery and drivetrain with some well-documented trouble spots in its charging and low-voltage electronics, especially the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) and 12‑volt system.
Key takeaway for shoppers
Big Picture: Brand and Model Reliability Scores
Before we zoom in on the problem areas, it helps to understand where Kia and the EV6 land in the wider reliability universe. As a brand, Kia has made huge strides over the last decade, regularly ranking above industry average in major dependability and quality studies. In 2022, Kia even topped J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study for overall brand-level dependability across three-year-old vehicles.
Kia as a brand
- Regularly ranks above industry average in long-term dependability studies.
- Big quality leap after 2018, particularly on newer platforms.
- Strong warranty support: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and EV battery for original owners.
EV6 as a model
- J.D. Power overall score in the low 80s with a "Average" reliability component for the 2022 model.
- Independent indices show an average reliability around 75/100 across all years.
- Early 2022 builds report more electrical and charging glitches than 2023+ cars.
Why year and build date matter
Common 2022 Kia EV6 Problems Owners Report
Owner surveys and forums tell a consistent story: most 2022 EV6s are trouble-free day to day, but a minority have experienced serious issues that can leave the car undriveable until repaired. Here are the key themes to know.
Top Trouble Spots on the 2022 EV6
Not every car will see these, but you should know the patterns.
ICCU & 12‑Volt Failures
The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) can fail on some 2022 EV6s. When it does, the car may:
- Refuse to start, even with plenty of HV battery charge.
- Drain the 12‑volt battery unexpectedly.
- Lose power and throw multiple error messages.
Many owners have had the ICCU replaced under warranty, but wait times for parts can stretch into weeks.
AC & DC Charging Glitches
Consumer surveys highlight issues like:
- Car not charging on certain Level 2 home units.
- Tripping household breakers when plugged in.
- Inconsistent behavior on some public fast-chargers.
Often, software updates or charge-port component replacement resolve these problems.
Infotainment & Connectivity Bugs
Software gremlins are common rather than catastrophic:
- Random reboots or laggy touch response.
- Temporary loss of Kia Connect app functionality.
- Occasional camera or sensor glitches.
These issues tend to be more annoying than dangerous, and many improve with over‑the‑air or dealer updates.
- Isolated reports of the car losing motive power and coasting to a stop before being towed, usually traced to ICCU or high-voltage control faults.
- Scattered complaints of suspension noises or alignment concerns, but no systemic suspension defect has emerged.
- Some owners report paint chips and interior rattles after several years, typical of many compact crossovers rather than EV-specific flaws.
When a problem becomes a safety concern
Battery Health and Range: What We Know So Far
The heart of any used EV is its battery pack. Here, the 2022 EV6 shines. Thanks to its modern 800‑volt E‑GMP architecture and robust thermal management, most owners report very modest degradation after 2–4 years of driving.
Real-World EV6 Battery Behavior
Early data from owners and testers
Degradation so far
- Many 2022 EV6 owners report 5–10% loss of usable range after several years and tens of thousands of miles.
- That’s in line with, or slightly better than, other modern EVs in this class.
- Most cars still comfortably hit well over 200 miles of real-world range.
Fast charging and battery stress
- The EV6 can charge at up to 240 kW under ideal conditions, going 10–80% in under 20 minutes.
- Frequent DC fast charging hasn’t yet shown catastrophic degradation patterns, but long-term data is still developing.
- A mix of home Level 2 and occasional DC fast charging is the healthiest pattern for the pack.
Battery warranty coverage
Where things get confusing is when battery issues overlap with ICCU or charging problems. A car that only charges to 70% or refuses to take a DC fast charge doesn’t always have a “bad battery”, often, it’s a control or wiring fault that can be repaired without replacing the pack. Sorting that out is where a detailed diagnostic report becomes invaluable.
Warranty Coverage and Recall Roundup
Because the 2022 EV6 is still relatively new, most major components remain under warranty for the first owner, and often for the second, depending on mileage and local rules. That’s a major safety net if you’re considering one used.
2022 Kia EV6: Key Warranty & Recall Items
Always verify coverage with a Kia dealer using the VIN and in-service date.
| Area | Typical Coverage (U.S.) | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Basic bumper-to-bumper | 5 years / 60,000 miles | Covers most non-wear items like electronics, infotainment and some charging components on lower-mileage 2022 cars. |
| Powertrain & EV components | 10 years / 100,000 miles (original owner) | Protects the high-voltage battery, motor and associated hardware for many first owners; some coverage may transfer. |
| ICCU & charging electronics | Varies – often part of EV component coverage | Many ICCU failures have been fixed under warranty, but coverage for second owners can depend on local terms. |
| Recalls | Multiple campaigns on 2022 EV6 | Includes items like parking mechanism control, instrument cluster visibility and high-voltage system software updates. All should be completed on a used car. |
Exact coverage can vary by region and ownership history; use this as a starting point, not a contract.
VIN check is non‑negotiable
What It’s Like to Live With a 2022 EV6
Here’s where the EV6 redeems itself. Owners who avoid serious electrical gremlins tend to love how the 2022 EV6 drives and lives. Fast charging, a quiet cabin, strong performance and a practical hatchback layout make it an easy daily companion.
Owner Satisfaction Themes
Why many drivers are still big fans
High everyday satisfaction
Owner review scores for the 2022 EV6 hover around 4.0 out of 5, with about three-quarters saying they’d buy again.
They praise:
- Instant torque and smooth acceleration.
- Comfortable ride and quiet highway manners.
- Surprisingly good cargo space for trips.
Road-trip capable
With its strong DC fast-charging performance and solid real-world range, many owners report trouble-free cross-country trips.
Even in cold weather, the EV6 remains more road‑trip ready than many earlier EVs, as long as you plan charging stops smartly.
Operating costs
Electricity is typically much cheaper per mile than gas, especially if you can charge at home on off‑peak rates.
Routine maintenance is light: no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and brake wear is reduced thanks to strong regenerative braking.
Where the ownership story sours
Used 2022 EV6 Reliability Checklist
If you’re shopping a 2022 EV6 on the used market, a little homework goes a long way. Here’s a reliability-focused checklist you can follow, or hand to a trusted mechanic or EV specialist.
Pre-Purchase Reliability Checklist for a 2022 EV6
1. Pull a full service and recall history
Ask for dealer printouts or digital records showing completed recalls, software campaigns, and any high-voltage or ICCU work. A car with an <strong>ICCU replacement and all recalls done</strong> is more desirable than a blank slate.
2. Test both AC and DC charging
Charge the car on a home-style Level 2 station and, if possible, on a public DC fast charger. Watch for errors, breaker trips, or inconsistent charge rates. Charging should begin smoothly and stay stable.
3. Check 12‑volt battery health
A weak 12‑volt battery can trigger a cascade of warning lights. Ask when it was last replaced, scan for low-voltage fault codes, and look for any history of no‑start or sudden shutdown events.
4. Scan for stored high-voltage or drivetrain faults
Have an EV-savvy shop or a service like Recharged run a diagnostic scan. Historic high-voltage, inverter, or ICCU faults, even if cleared, can tell you a lot about the car’s past behavior.
5. Evaluate real-world range
Take a long mixed driving test and compare the projected range at 100% to EPA estimates. A modest gap is normal; a huge difference could signal battery issues or heavy prior DC fast-charging use.
6. Inspect tires, brakes, and suspension
Like any performance-leaning EV, the EV6 can chew through tires and front brake components if driven hard. Uneven wear or clunks over bumps can hint at alignment or suspension bushing issues.
Leaning on specialists
Cost of Ownership and Long-Term Outlook
On the financial side, the 2022 EV6 has held its value well so far, thanks to strong demand for modern EVs with fast charging. J.D. Power’s data gives it an excellent resale score, reflecting relatively low expected depreciation compared with many gas SUVs.
What you’ll likely spend
- Energy: Home charging typically beats gas by a wide margin on cost per mile, especially in regions with off‑peak EV rates.
- Maintenance: Expect fewer visits than a gas car, no oil, simpler drivetrain, but budget for tires and the occasional cabin air filter or brake service.
- Repairs: Out-of-warranty EV‑specific repairs (ICCU, onboard charger, high-voltage contactors) can be pricey, so remaining warranty life matters.
Long-term reliability outlook
- The underlying battery pack and motor have good early track records with no widespread catastrophic failures reported.
- Most pain so far has come from support electronics and software, which are easier to fix than a bad battery, but can be frustrating.
- Later model years (2024–2025) show fewer complaints, suggesting Kia has been quietly improving the recipe.
Who the 2022 EV6 makes sense for
How Recharged Helps You Shop a Used EV6 Confidently
Buying any used EV is part detective work, part gut check. With a first-year model like the 2022 EV6, having solid data behind that gut feeling matters even more. That’s where Recharged comes in.
The Recharged Advantage for 2022 EV6 Shoppers
Data, diagnostics, and human help, baked into the process
Recharged Score report
Every EV sold through Recharged includes a Recharged Score that covers:
- Battery health and estimated degradation.
- Charging behavior and any error history.
- Diagnostic scan for high‑voltage and ICCU faults.
- Fair‑market pricing analysis.
EV-specialist guidance
Our EV specialists walk you through the specific risk areas on a 2022 EV6, like ICCU repairs, recall status and software levels, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Flexible shopping experience
Recharged offers a fully digital buying experience with nationwide delivery from our Richmond, VA Experience Center, plus financing, trade‑in options, and consignment if you’re selling your current EV.
The 2022 Kia EV6 isn’t the flawless EV some early hype suggested, but it’s far from a horror story. Think of it as a talented first‑year athlete with a few injuries on the record: in the right condition, on the right terms, it can still be a star. If you focus on cars with clean histories, completed recalls, and strong diagnostics, and lean on tools like the Recharged Score, you can enjoy the EV6’s speed, style, and charging prowess without constantly wondering what’s waiting around the next software update.
