Level 1 and 2 Charging Module Failure ..

Let me start by saying I love this car, (2,000 miles on the odometer) however It did let me down recently 100 miles from home.

(My car had been Level 2 charging at home for months no problem prior to this incident).

I left my home, quick charged once about 65 miles out, continued to my destination...

As I tryed to prepare for my trip back home, plugging the car into 5 different level 2 charging station locations, my KIA Soul EV failed to initiate charging at all of them.

Later, I found the paperwork indicated level 1 & level 2 charging had failed & that the Level 3 quick charger capability was still working. Unfortunately, in that area DC quick chargers were unavailable and/or out of range.

After speaking with KIA roadside assistance I drove to the nearby KIA dealership and they had the car towed to the nearest dealer, 60miles away, that had EV service authorization (they don't all have this).



Well, It took two weeks to fix what was described as a "first instance" charging module failure. KIA (not the dealership) did rent me a car for that period cost free to me.

All seems ok now after a month.

This wasn't a very nice experience which honestly was exacerbated by poor communication, lack of a coherent policy between KIA & the dealerships.

Like I said at the beginning I still love this car.

-- I'm chalking it up to the price we pay for being early adopters..

AJ

Thanks for posting about it. It's good to know what issues people have had if I'm ever trying to diagnose a problem of my own

Thanks for taking one for the team! Hopefully it's not a chronic problem.

Ugh...That's not good. Sorry you had to endure that.

Let's hope that problem isn't endemic.

mtndrew1 said:

Thanks for taking one for the team! Hopefully it's not a chronic problem.

Click to expand...

The charging module was replaced, (hand carried by the vendor who made it for KIA from South Korea ) rather than repaired so I'm not expecting a chronic condition.

Actually there were three separate entities involved in this "first instance" servicing at the KIA dealership...

A KIA Technician from Los Angeles,
The vendor who made the charging module flew in from South Korea with a new module,
The local KIA dealership's service technician.

I'm glad it's fixed and I can enjoy My EV.

AyeJay said:

...The vendor who made the charging module flew in from South Korea with a new module..,

Click to expand...

Wow, now that's what I call customer support! Good omen that they expeditiously took care of the problem.

JoeS said:

Wow, now that's what I call customer support! Good omen that they expeditiously took care of the problem.

Click to expand...

The Good: Yes, KIA & their technicians took care of the problem quickly considering.

The Bad: Only select KIA dealers have EV service techs or charging facilities.


I was fairly stressed out during this 'adventure'.. LOL ....

The two dealerships I dealt with and KIA Consumer Assistance (1-800-333-4542), did help me out once I accepted/they realized the situation we were in.

-- Not without some calm, levelheaded advocacy on my part I must add.

AJ

I too have a charging module failure.

Check EV light came on from time to time and they finally narrowed down to the charging module. ~_~

I'm now driving a Kia Rio loaner. They say it will take a week to have the part delivered (from Korea I guess).

I too have a charging module failure.

Click to expand...

I'm Sorry to hear that.

My understanding is that both BMW & Nissan have had a small on board charging module failure rate as well ...

We just happen to be the lucky ones :roll: .

Thankfully, It sounds like you were able to avoid the tow truck and the inconvenience I went through.

That's a good thing!

Cheers