Ioniq 5 and EV6 ICCU failures: when a charging unit problem becomes a lemon law claim

If your Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 or Genesis GV60 suddenly showed a "Check electric vehicle system" warning, stopped charging, or lost power on the road, the cause may be the Integrated Charging Control Unit, or ICCU. An Ioniq 5 ICCU failure, or the same failure in an EV6, is one of the most documented problems in these cars. Hyundai and Kia have each recalled the part twice, and a pending class action alleges failures continue after the recall repair.

This guide explains what the ICCU does, which vehicles the recalls cover, how repeat ICCU repairs fit into California's lemon law, and what to keep. It is general information as of October 2026, not legal advice, and it does not suggest that every one of these vehicles is defective. Whether yours qualifies depends on its repair history.

What the ICCU does and how it fails

The ICCU is part of the charging system in these electric vehicles. Among other jobs, it keeps the 12-volt battery charged. The 12-volt battery runs the car's computers and controls, so when the ICCU stops charging it, the car can lose power even with plenty of range left.

NHTSA investigated loss of drive power in the 2022 Ioniq 5 in a preliminary evaluation, PE23-011, opened in June 2023. The agency counted 206 reports from owner complaints, early warning data and warranty claims, with no reported crashes, fires or injuries. Its closing summary said the ICCU could be internally damaged by overcurrent, voltage at the end of charging or heat, which could blow the ICCU fuse, stop the 12-volt battery from charging and eventually cause a total loss of motive power. The investigation closed in April 2024 after Hyundai's recall.

Symptoms owners describe include a warning light followed by reduced power, a car that will not start because the 12-volt battery is dead, and a car that stops charging at home or at a public charger.

The ICCU recalls

Each brand filed a first recall in March 2024 and a second, broader recall in November 2024. The second recalls replaced the first and told dealers to redo vehicles already repaired under them.

NHTSA's records for all four recalls say the ICCU "can be damaged" and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash. A later Ioniq 5 battery recall, 25V-482, involves loose high-voltage bus bar bolts in a small number of 2025 cars and is a separate issue. To check your VIN and see newer recalls, use nhtsa.gov/recalls or our recall and complaint lookup tool.

The ICCU class action

In April 2026, Carscoops reported a proposed class action in federal court in New Jersey against Hyundai, Kia, Genesis and the ICCU supplier, Hyundai Kefico. The complaint covers 2022–2024 EV6, 2022–2024 Ioniq 5, 2023–2025 Ioniq 6 and several Genesis models. It alleges that the recall did not fix the problem, that replacement ICCUs may be as defective as the originals, and that owners continue to experience 12-volt battery drain, limp mode and loss of power. These are allegations. As of October 2026 we have not found a reported ruling on them.

A class case is separate from your own lemon law claim. A lemon law claim rests on your vehicle's repair record and can lead to a full repurchase. If you get a class settlement notice, have a lawyer read it before you opt in or out.

How California's lemon law applies to ICCU failures

Under Civil Code § 1793.2(d), if the manufacturer cannot fix a warranty defect after a reasonable number of attempts, it must replace the vehicle or refund it, at your choice. The Tanner Act presumption in Civil Code § 1793.22(b) helps define "reasonable." Within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first, the law presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if:

• Safety defect, two attempts: the same defect is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the car is driven, it was subject to repair at least twice, and you directly notified the manufacturer at least once;
• Same defect, four attempts: the same defect was subject to repair four or more times, and you directly notified the manufacturer at least once; or
• More than 30 days: the car was out of service for repairs for more than 30 calendar days in total.

The direct-notice step applies only if the manufacturer clearly disclosed it in the warranty or owner's manual. If the manufacturer has a qualified dispute program and told you about it in writing, you may need to use it first to rely on the presumption (§ 1793.22(c)). Outside the 18-month window, a claim can still succeed if the record shows a reasonable number of failed attempts.

Why the ICCU fits the safety-defect rule

The recall records themselves say an ICCU failure can cause loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash. Losing power at highway speed is the kind of condition the two-attempt rule was written for. Whether your specific failure qualifies is a question of fact, but the manufacturers' own recall language is strong evidence.

Recall visits and repeat failures

A recall repair is a repair attempt on the defect it addresses. If your ICCU was inspected or replaced under 24V-204 or 24V-200, then again under 24V-868 or 24V-867, and then failed again, each visit is part of your history. A part that has been replaced and still fails is exactly what the lemon law is for.

Days in the shop

ICCU repairs often wait on parts. Those days count toward the 30-day rule if they are days out of service for repair, and they add up across visits. Civil Code § 1793.2(b) also requires warranty repairs to be finished within 30 days unless you agree otherwise in writing, with extra time only for delays beyond the manufacturer's control. Ask for a loaner and write down the date you dropped the car off and the date you got it back.

Warranty coverage

Hyundai's published warranty lists a 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the EV battery and hybrid system components for original and later owners. Kia's published warranty lists a 5-year/60,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile EV system warranty that names the on-board charger among covered parts. Your warranty booklet controls which coverage applies to the ICCU, so ask the dealer which warranty it used and keep that on the repair order.

What to keep

• Every repair order, including recall visits, showing the warning messages, diagnostic codes, parts replaced and dates in and out.
• Tow and roadside records, and any 12-volt battery jump-starts or replacements.
• Screenshots of warnings in the car and in the Hyundai, Kia or Genesis app, and charging-session errors from home or public chargers.
• Your case number with the manufacturer. The NHTSA recall records list Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460, Genesis at 1-844-340-9741 and Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
• Rental and rideshare receipts for days without the car.

Deadlines, recovery and next steps

A repurchase generally includes the price paid, taxes, registration, finance charges and incidental costs, minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair visit for the defect (Civil Code § 1793.2(d)(2)). Our lemon law buyback calculator shows the math. If the manufacturer willfully failed to comply, a court can add a civil penalty of up to two times actual damages, and a buyer who wins recovers attorney's fees and costs (Civil Code § 1794).

Hyundai and Kia have been reported among the manufacturers that opted in to California's 2025 lemon law procedures; Genesis was not named on that reported list. For opted-in manufacturers, a lawsuit generally must be filed within one year after the warranty expires and no later than six years after delivery, and a buyer who wants civil penalties must send a specific notice first. Check the Department of Consumer Affairs list and see our guide to the 2025 changes under AB 1755. Do not send a demand letter on your own.

For other Hyundai and Kia issues, see our Hyundai and Kia lemon law guide. For charging and range problems in any EV, see EV battery and charging problems. To check your own facts, try does my car qualify.

How LaCour handles ICCU claims

LaCour Trial Lawyers handles California lemon law claims statewide, in English and Spanish, with trial counsel leading each case. When a claim succeeds, the manufacturer pays the buyer's attorney's fees and costs. Send us your repair orders for a free, confidential review.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information about California and federal law and about public records as of its date. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting us does not create an attorney–client relationship. Allegations in lawsuits are claims, not findings. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising.