Common EV Faults and How to Prevent Them

While Electric Vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving parts, just like petrol and diesel cars they are prone to certain common faults. We look at what these are and how you can try to prevent them from happening.

Battery related faults

One of the biggest culprits is the 12-volt battery system. Even though EVs run on large high-voltage battery packs, they still rely on a small 12-volt battery to power essential electronics such as locks, lights and infotainment. When this fails, the car may not start at all, despite the main battery being fully charged. Keep a 12-volt battery charger at home just in case.

High-voltage battery-related issues, though less common than many fear, do occur. These can include faulty modules, cooling system problems, or software that mismanages battery performance. Use your Battery Management System (BMS) to regularly check your battery’s health or ask a professional to take a look as part of the car’s annual service.

Software and charging problems

Software and infotainment glitches are another frequent complaint. Because EVs are heavily software-driven, bugs can affect navigation, charging displays, driver assistance systems and touchscreen responsiveness. You can help prevent this by keeping your car’s software updated.

Charging problems also rank highly. This can involve the car’s onboard charging hardware, slow or failed rapid-charging sessions, or difficulties connecting to public charging networks. It’s best to get this checked as part of your car’s annual service.

Mechanical errors

Finally, traditional mechanical components still wear out. Suspension parts, wheel bearings and brakes can all require repair, sometimes more than they do on conventional vehicles due to the increased weight of the car. Regular servicing will help prevent these from escalating into bigger faults.

Despite these issues, EV reliability continues to improve. For many drivers, the benefits still outweigh the drawbacks but understanding these common faults and how to prevent will make EV ownership much more enjoyable.

If you'd like us to check anything on your EV, just give us a call on 01202 148303 or email us at service@star-tech-ev.co.uk.