The Kia EV6 infotainment system suffers from slow screen responses and unreliability, especially in model years 2022 to 2024. Owners regularly report frozen screens and delays when using menus. How serious is the problem?
Screen responds slowly
The Kia EV6 has a large touchscreen that is important for operating the car. But many owners experience that this screen responds slowly. You tap a menu and it takes a moment before anything happens. Swiping gestures feel delayed. That is frustrating when you want to quickly adjust something on the climate control or navigation.
The sluggishness is often linked to running several functions at the same time. For example, if you switch on Apple CarPlay and then also try to use the car’s built-in navigation, the system can stutter. In some cars, the screen even freezes completely.
‘ Some updates temporarily solve problems, but introduce new error messages. ’
Too few software updates
Kia provides software updates for the EV6, but owners indicate that these updates do not come often enough. As a result, many complaints about sluggishness and bugs persist. Some updates temporarily solve issues, but introduce new error messages.
Various owners report on forums that their infotainment actually performed worse after an update. Dashboard indicators failed or an error message appeared. In serious cases, the car switches to so-called limp-home mode. The maximum speed is then between 25 and 75 kilometres per hour.
Screen position forces you to lean forward
The touchscreen is positioned relatively far away from the driver. You have to lean forward to reach the buttons at the bottom of the screen. That is not only inconvenient while driving, but also less safe. Your attention is drawn away from the road.
Fortunately, Kia has kept physical buttons for important functions. You can control the audio system and climate control without using the touchscreen. That helps, but it does not solve the basic sluggishness of the infotainment system.
Connection with electrical problems
The problems with the infotainment are sometimes linked to wider electrical faults. The EV6 regularly suffers from ICCU errors (Integrated Charging Control Unit). If this unit fails, the 12-volt battery (the small on-board battery) runs flat. As a result, the infotainment and dashboard shut down.
Owners report that the car will then no longer start and the screen remains black. Kia has issued a recall for this. Have this checked at your dealer if you are experiencing this kind of failure.
‘ A factory reset often helps temporarily. ’
How to make the infotainment faster
Do you want to improve the performance of the infotainment system? Try these steps:
- Carry out a factory reset via the menu under Settings > General > Reset
- Have software updates installed by the dealer instead of wirelessly over the air
- Use only one connection at a time, so either Apple CarPlay or the built-in navigation
- Make sure the 12-volt battery (the small on-board battery) is regularly charged by using the car
- Ask the dealer about available updates for the ICCU system (Integrated Charging Control Unit)
A factory reset often helps temporarily. The system then starts up cleanly again without unnecessary background processes. Bear in mind, however, that you will have to re-enter your settings.
Known bugs in the multimedia system
The EV6 infotainment system has several known bugs. Owners regularly report these problems:
- Screen freezes while using navigation or CarPlay
- Audio goes out of sync after switching between sources
- Warning lights appear without cause after software updates
- Bluetooth connection drops out spontaneously
- System starts up slowly after starting the car
Some bugs occur more often in early 2022 models. Later production years already have partial improvements, but the sluggishness remains a recurring point of criticism.
Comparison with other electric cars
Compared with Tesla’s infotainment, the Kia EV6 system feels slower. Tesla uses more powerful processors and receives updates more frequently. Systems from BMW and Mercedes also tend to respond more quickly. That is due to better hardware and optimised software.
Kia still scores reasonably well in reliability surveys. The brand is in eighth place for reliability, above Audi and Nissan. But specifically for the EV6, owners are divided about the electronics.
‘ But the infotainment system remains a sore point. ’
When should you go to the dealer?
Do you drive an EV6 and are you experiencing serious failures? Then go to the dealer. Especially if you recognise these symptoms:
- Dashboard shuts down completely
- Car switches to limp-home mode
- 12-volt battery keeps running flat
- Error messages keep coming back after a reset
Document the problems carefully. That helps if the car has to go back several times for repairs. Some cases are covered by the warranty. In exceptional situations, a replacement vehicle may be provided.
The Kia EV6 is a good electric car with strong points such as range and charging speed. But the infotainment system remains a sore point. Regular maintenance and updates at the dealer reduce many problems. Completely solving them is not yet possible.
On the Carnews website you will find more information about electric cars, maintenance tips and experiences from other owners. Discover which EV suits you and read about the pros and cons of different brands and models.
Frequently asked questions
The complaints about a slow and unreliable infotainment system in the Kia EV6 occur regularly and are therefore not a completely isolated problem. They are often linked to wider electronic issues such as ICCU failure and 12V battery problems, especially in the 2022–2024 model years. That said, some owners report years of little to no malfunction, which suggests that not every EV6 is affected. Software updates and recalls have reduced the problem in part of the cars, but it does not yet seem to be fully resolved.
The sluggishness and unreliability mainly affect navigation (slow map loading, freezes during route guidance) and general screen operation (slow menus, touch input not responding). Smartphone integration such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also affected, with delays and freezes. In addition, system updates (OTA) themselves can be problematic, as they may introduce new bugs or error messages and temporarily render the infotainment unusable.
Yes, there are software updates and dealer fixes available that can improve the performance and stability of the Kia EV6 infotainment system. Kia has rolled out updates as part of ICCU and Shifter Control Unit campaigns, which also affect linked systems such as infotainment. In addition, dealers can manually update the infotainment software, which often works better than relying only on OTA updates. A factory reset combined with the latest dealer update is mentioned by various owners as the most effective approach.
Owners can carry out a factory reset of the infotainment system and preferably have software updates carried out by the dealer instead of via OTA. It helps to regularly check for outstanding recalls and have them performed as soon as possible. In addition, limiting background apps and connected devices (such as phones) can reduce the load on the system. Finally, users recommend that in the case of persistent sluggishness you document everything and ask the dealer for thorough diagnostics.
