Another 12V battery for my Kia... anyone else dealing with this?

Off to get my 4th 12V battery for my Kia 22 GTline. The Kia Emergency Roadside Service towing company still hasn’t shown up… been waiting since 9 a.m., and now it’s 12:30. Anyone else having this kind of experience?

Sorry to hear that. It’s not surprising though. They usually go through a few cheap towing companies before finding one that will actually show up. Hopefully, you’re somewhere safe while waiting. This kind of thing is why I keep thinking we need to start tagging posts like these with ‘class-action lawsuit’ for later.

@Asa
Not a bad idea about the tag. I’m safe at home, and the car is in the garage. My jumper box gave just enough to shift to neutral before the car died again.

Clancy said:
@Asa
Not a bad idea about the tag. I’m safe at home, and the car is in the garage. My jumper box gave just enough to shift to neutral before the car died again.

You probably know this, but swapping out third-party apps or using aftermarket AGM batteries won’t change much. I’ve got a 2022 First Edition, and I’ve gone through 8 batteries this year alone. The ICCU was replaced once, and now it’s being replaced again. Kia wouldn’t buy back my EV6, so I’ve had to get a lawyer involved. Looking at my next steps now since they keep brushing me off.

@Asa
8 batteries in one year? That’s insane. Did the dealer confirm the ICCU was causing the issue the first time? How many batteries have you replaced since that first ICCU replacement? Also, note to self: upgrading AAA to the 200-mile towing plan might be a good idea.

@Gray
Since the ICCU replacement earlier this year, I’ve gone through 5 more batteries. I’ve been to three dealerships, and none of them have given me consistent answers. The last one blamed the head unit for the battery issue, but now they’re back to saying it’s the ICCU again.

@Asa
You’d think the lemon law would apply by now. Have you checked your purchase agreement to see if there’s a binding arbitration clause? That could block you from taking legal action. It’s frustrating that these clauses are becoming so common.

@Asa
Yeah, I’ve had my head unit replaced too. GPS and the camera stopped working completely at one point.

Which 12V battery are you using? I hope it’s not still the OEM. I swapped mine out after just three months.

Bran said:
Which 12V battery are you using? I hope it’s not still the OEM. I swapped mine out after just three months.

Still on the stock one. I refuse to replace it myself while under warranty. It shouldn’t be something we need to do just to keep the car running. If I replace it and something else goes wrong, the dealer will just blame the non-OEM battery. They already try to pin issues on my dash cam or wireless adapter.

@Clancy
Fair point, but wouldn’t you rather avoid all the hassle? Personally, I wouldn’t waste time waiting for a tow when replacing it myself could solve the problem temporarily. But to each their own.

@Bran
I get your perspective, and I agree in a way. But by keeping it stock, I’m forcing them to see there’s an issue that affects others too. I work from home, so waiting around isn’t a huge deal for me. Still, I’m pretty close to pushing for a lemon replacement. Four batteries on a 2022 is ridiculous.

Even if it’s a Kia battery, it shouldn’t drain so fast. There’s probably some kind of parasitic drain or something like leaving doors or the trunk open too long while the car is off.

Cairo said:
Even if it’s a Kia battery, it shouldn’t drain so fast. There’s probably some kind of parasitic drain or something like leaving doors or the trunk open too long while the car is off.

You’re right, it shouldn’t be draining like this. Mine last about 3–6 months before they’re toast. If there’s a parasitic draw, it has to be something from Kia. I always make sure the doors are shut and locked. Last night it was plugged in, but according to the app, charging stopped around 6:00 p.m. Maybe that’s related…