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2024 Kia EV9
The verdict
1 thing going for it, 4 to watch.
Cons
Official recall campaigns exist for this vehicle. See the Safety Recalls section for what failed and how it's fixed.
Why we say this — NHTSA — Safety Recalls
At least one recall is serious enough that owners are told to park away from buildings. Treat this as urgent.
Why we say this — NHTSA — Safety Recalls
102 of 204 owner complaints are about the electrical system. Tap it in the heatmap to read the real reports.
Why we say this — NHTSA — Owner Complaints
1 complaint(s) involved a crash and 2 involved a fire.
Why we say this — NHTSA — Owner Complaints
Pros
Earned a strong overall government crash-test rating.
Why we say this — NHTSA — 5-Star Safety Ratings
Neutral
Nothing in this category from the official data.
Take this with you:
★★★★★Crash-test safety
0Safety recalls
0Owner complaints
1% involved a crash or fire
—Combined MPG
ℹ️ Recalls & complaints are reported per model — the same across every trim & engine. Fuel economy (and crash ratings by body style) can vary — use the pickers in those sections.
Safety Recalls
Official recall campaigns. Tap one to see the danger and the fix.
What is a recall, really?
A recall means the government made the manufacturer admit a safety defect — and the fix is free at any dealer, forever, even for used cars. Recalls range from a software update to "the steering wheel can detach," so read the danger line on each one. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof each recall was completed, or have a dealer run the VIN. Recalls also have a quieter cousin worth reading: technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Campaign 24V271000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Niro EV and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The differential gear bolts in the gear drive unit may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of drive power or cause the differential to lock up.
The danger: A loss of drive power or differential lock up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the gear drive unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC308.
NHTSA Campaign 24V338000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 EV9 vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor cover may not be secured properly, which can cause the front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) and emergency locking retractor (ELR) to not operate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
The danger: A seat belt retractor that does not operate as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC312.
NHTSA Campaign 24V400000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 EV9 vehicles. The headliner may not adequately protect passengers from impact in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection In Interior Impact."
The danger: A headliner with inadequate impact protection increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the impact absorbing plates mounted on the headliner, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC317.
NHTSA Campaign 24V693000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 EV9 vehicles. A software error may cause the remote smart parking assist feature, which allows the operator to remotely move the vehicle, to miscalculate stopping distances.
The danger: A remote smart parking assist feature that miscalculates stopping distances may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the integrated electronic brake software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 4, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC324.
NHTSA Campaign 24V757000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 EV9 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The danger: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The instrument cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC326.
NHTSA Campaign 24V962000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 EV9 vehicles. The second- and third-row seat mounting bolts may be missing.
The danger: Seats without mounting bolts may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and install mounting bolts as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC329.
NHTSA Campaign 26V431000
What's wrong: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The high voltage battery cells may contain misaligned electrodes, which can lead to a fire while parked or driving.
The danger: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and limit their charge to a maximum of 80% until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery system assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC375. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.
Source: NHTSA — Safety Recalls · re-checked about every 24 hours
Where Owners Report Problems
Where owners report the most trouble — based on 204 complaints (1 involved a crash, 2 a fire). Tap a part to read the real reports.
Raw count — best-sellers naturally log more complaints than rare cars, so judge it against the peer comparison below, not on its own.
Why don't we show complaints per vehicle sold?
Because no official source publishes sales counts per model — that data is sold by private firms, and the free numbers online are guesses. A rate built on a guessed denominator is a guess wearing a lab coat, so we refuse to show one. Instead we show comparisons where fleet size cancels out or is disclosed: the same model across its own years, the crash/fire severity mix, and the peer ranking below — each with its methodology attached.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 102):
We were driving in the middle lane, going straight approximately 25 MPH. The car lurched and almost flipped. We were able to pull over, the wheel was no longer spinning with the car and the tie rod snapped at a weld point. We could have been killed had we been going faster. My son was thankfully not in the car. I am desperately trying to get the car inspected but the dealership will not unless we pay. There were no warnings, but a whining sound began yesterday and we were on the way to the dealership this morning. Now there are warnings. There have been so many safety issues with this car. I will be filing 2 other reports for the seats.
BPM warning in the KIA app. Apparently, ICCU and battery failures are t known issues with the KIA EV9s.
[XXX] Message says warning "check ev system". they then sent a letter saying it had to go to the dealer, or the car would need A tow potentially. I can't get an appointment as they are way too busy to do anything other than tell me they will get back to me, repeatedly stating they will do so in one business day. it has been a week. My wife is scared to drive the car. I think it is bogus as no recall has been issued. I have had the car for 19 months with no such warning. Two days after it shows up on the screen in the car i receive the letter. This is fishy. it is either a recall, or it isn't. if it is why is it not in your data base? The vagueness of the message is inappropriate, and it implies danger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle popped up a red vehicle warning to check the electric vehicle system. It would no longer charge, was taken to the dealership where the emergency notification was sent :suspected condition with your EV9's Battery Management System has been detected and charging has been limited. A full system check is recommended. Please schedule an appointment with your local Kia dealership as soon as possible. And another CRITICAL EV WARNING your EV battery has a critical issue contact roadside assistance. This is a 2024 and has a total battery failure.
I would also like to highlight the serious safety concern due to cell deviation (imbalance) along with SOC (State of Charge) mismatch as per my car's BMS (Battery management system) which is present in my vehicle and shared with Kia corporate. In an electric vehicle, the high-voltage battery cells, the Battery Management System, and the battery coolant system function as a single integrated safety-critical system. When battery cells are imbalanced and there is a significant mismatch between the state of charge displayed to the driver and the lower usable energy calculated by the Battery Management System, the weakest cell can reach its safe operating limit under normal driving load even though the dashboard indicates sufficient charge. If this condition is combined with a battery coolant system fault, such as low coolant level or air in the cooling circuit, battery temperatures can rise unevenly and further reduce safe operating margins. To protect the battery and prevent thermal or electrical damage, the system must immediately limit propulsion or enter a reduced-power (“turtle”) mode without driver input. Because these protective actions can occur suddenly and without advance warning, they can restrict acceleration or vehicle speed during ordinary driving conditions such as merging or maintaining highway speed, creating an unexpected loss-of-propulsion safety risk rather than a mere inconvenience. This is equivalent to a faulty fuel gauge for a gasoline car but with more immediate and severe consequences Sudden Power Cutoffs: If a single battery cell's voltage drops below a safe threshold, the Battery Management System (BMS) will shut down the entire pack to prevent permanent damage. This can happen even if the dashboard shows 25% or more remaining, potentially leaving you without power while driving. Loss of Vehicle Control: A sudden shutdown can lead to a loss of power steering and braking assistance, which is hazardous in high-speed or heavytraffic situatio
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 38):
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) failed to detect or warn of any tire pressure abnormality before or after the blowout. Following the blowout, the vehicle’s diagnostics screen displayed “All Systems OK” while the instrument cluster simultaneously showed a “Low Tire Pressure” warning. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A tire blowout at 65 MPH on a highway created an immediate risk of loss of vehicle control, collision, or rollover. Two minor children were passengers in the vehicle at the time. The simultaneous TPMS failure provided no advance warning, eliminating any opportunity to safely reduce speed or pull over before the blowout occurred. The vehicle had been in my possession for approximately four hours at the time of the incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? UNKNOWN Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO
Car stopped working and wouldn’t start. I was told there is an ICCU failure. There is a back order of ICCU for this vehicle and unknown date of repair.
When driving at speeds 60+ mph, EV9 steering wheel and center console vibrate consistently even on newly paved smooth road(s). I have taken it into two different dealerships for resolve twice within the first week of ownership. Both dealerships checked tires, mount and balanced the ones that were off and sent us on our way. The steering wheel and console vibrations persist. I have taken it back in and reported that the issue hasn’t been resolved. They noted it on the service order but did nothing further in an effort to resolve the issue. This is a well known and documented safety issue on NHTSA complaints and several Facebook owner groups for the EV9 across the world.
Description of the Problem: While driving my 2024 Kia EV9, the vehicle suddenly jerked and displayed a “Motor Control System” warning on the dashboard. The Kia Access app showed diagnostic code P0A4100 (MCU_R – Motor Control Unit fault). The issue causes the vehicle to hesitate and feel as if it loses power momentarily while in motion, creating a serious safety risk for me and my children. System/Component: The failure involves the Motor Control Unit (MCU) / electrical drivetrain system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The vehicle’s jerking and power fluctuation make it unsafe to drive in traffic, especially with children on board. It gives the sensation of being rear-ended and raises concern of potential stalling or loss of propulsion. Reproduction and Dealer Confirmation: The problem was reported to Sons Kia in McDonough, GA. The dealership initially inspected the vehicle on October 24, 2025, and returned it on [XXX], claiming the issue was addressed. However, the same warning and behavior reappeared less than 24 hours later ([XXX]). Inspections: The vehicle has been inspected by the Kia dealership service department. No outside parties (police or insurance) have inspected it yet. Warnings/Symptoms: The first warning appeared on [XXX], with the “Motor Control System” dashboard message and a corresponding alert in the Kia Access app. The issue continues to recur despite service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
A rear seatbelt indicator in the dashboard is broken, and it persistently indicates that (a) a passenger is in a rear seat; and (b) the passenger's seatbelt is fastened. This occurs even if a passenger is not in the seat and the passenger's seatbelt is not fastened. It is unclear whether this is strictly an electronic error in the dashboard, or if the seatbelt itself does not function appropriately. Kia has unsuccessfully tried to fix it twice, and the service department reproduced the problem by simply turning on the vehicle and seeing the persistent light. The local Kia service department says they are not trained to fix many EV problems, so corporate has to be involved, but corporate has not provided material assistance. Corporate has been informed in writing several times of the issue, including that this is a material safety issue, particularly since the vehicle is marketed toward families where a seatbelt indicator may be relied upon by drivers, and it's unclear whether this is strictly an electronics issue or a seatbelt functionality issue. Corporate acknowledged receipt of communications in which they were asked if this has been reported to the NHTSA, and they ignored both requests.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 24):
[XXX] Message says warning "check ev system". they then sent a letter saying it had to go to the dealer, or the car would need A tow potentially. I can't get an appointment as they are way too busy to do anything other than tell me they will get back to me, repeatedly stating they will do so in one business day. it has been a week. My wife is scared to drive the car. I think it is bogus as no recall has been issued. I have had the car for 19 months with no such warning. Two days after it shows up on the screen in the car i receive the letter. This is fishy. it is either a recall, or it isn't. if it is why is it not in your data base? The vagueness of the message is inappropriate, and it implies danger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The dashboard and control panel of my vehicle have repeatedly blacked out since shortly after purchase. These blackouts cause the entire instrument cluster and control systems, including critical safety features, to become non-functional or obstructed intermittently while driving. This creates a dangerous situation where I lose access to important information such as speed, warning indicators, and climate controls, severely compromising my ability to operate the vehicle safely. The issue has occurred multiple times, including once while driving on a highway, which put me and other drivers at significant risk. The problem has been reported to authorized dealerships, where the vehicle was inspected and software updates were attempted, but the issue persists. Despite multiple repair attempts, the blackouts continue to happen unpredictably. There have been no specific warning lamps or messages prior to the blackouts; the system simply fails without notice. The malfunction affects the vehicle’s safety system by obstructing the driver’s view of critical controls and information, increasing the risk of accidents. Customer service from the dealerships has been unsatisfactory, with long wait times for repairs, lack of loaner vehicles, and repeated failure to resolve the problem. This ongoing safety concern remains unresolved despite numerous visits and repair attempts.
Certain ADAS features have disengaged at least six times in the last year. While traveling at greater than 55 mph vehicle disengages cruise control and reports numerous warning indicators on dashboard including ADAS forward features such as collision warning and automatic braking indicators. I also noted lane management/steering also seemed to disengage when this has occurred during highway curve management. It is difficult to evaluate the full range of loss as the dashboard warnings are numerous and change over the next few minutes. It is also unsafe to secure good photographic evidence when traveling alone, though with assistance some imagery was recently captured. The sudden loss of speed and directional control assistance in multi-lane urban traffic was alarming but managed OK by alert driving. The manufacturer's dealer reported they could do nothing after one of the first occurrences. They said there were not 'codes' registered and not reports on file. The loss of systems usually cleared up within a few miles for the first instances. The most recent case persisted for several hours and several vehicle off/restart cycles. During this time the dashboard indicators suggested some failures resolved but some remained. This last case cleared over-night upon morning restart. A failure/warning was noted in the Kia Connect online app while the car still reported a problem. There were no prior indications before the sudden systems failure. All of these cases initially occurred on a section of road within about 1/2 mile of the same place. It involves a significant curve on an urban interstate interchanged. Sometimes the failures occur just before, or during, and at the end of the curve.
Vehicles accelerates aggressively to no limit (95+) when adaptive cruise control is set and there is no leading vehicle within following range.
Instrument panel was non-functioning
Of 21 reports about this part, 0 involved a crash and 1 a fire.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 21):
The contact owned a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed rear inverter. The contact was informed that the rear inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear inverter again. The contact was informed that the rear inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the contact noticed smoke exiting from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact was unofficially informed that the fire seemed to have started from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the replacement of the rear inverted was performed three times prior to the fire. The last replacement of the rear inverter was performed just a few days prior to the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. In addition, the contact stated that prior to the vehicle fire, the contact was in negotiations regarding the vehicle's back. The failure mileage was approximately 10,600.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal slapping sound coming from the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. While observing the tires, the contact became aware that the rear tires were bald, and the steel belts were coming from the inside of the tires. The contact used Fix a Flat inside the tires and was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The following day, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer that it was a known issue with the original tires on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by the battery, causing the vehicle to be too heavy for the vehicle. The inclination, tilt, or angle of suspension components with the shocks, struts, or control arms, known as the CANT, caused the tires to tilt outward approximately 2 or more inches. The dealer diagnosed that the suspension could have failed. The cant, suspension, and tires were replaced, and the wheels were aligned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 12,668.
I recently purchase my 2024 EV9 from Carvana with 9578 miles listed on 12/12/25. Doing my 7 days to purchase this SUV. I had some concerns about the violent wobble when I drove over a bump. With some concerns about this SUV, I google to see if anyone else had this same issue. To my surprise I founded a lot of complaints and ways to resolved the issue. One consumer stated he had his EV9 aligned and reduce some of the wobble but not completely. I drove to Courage KIA in Gastonia NC. When I drove their system performed a per inspection on your vehicle. The alignment was way out of alignment. Had the alignment taken care of however it still a wobble. On 12/24/26 doing the snow and ice storm here in Charlotte, I attempted to make a trip to the store. The roads were wet but no snow or ice was on the roads. However when I hit a bump the rear end violently wobble and the rear end moved to the left and right farther it did before. I thought I was going to spin out of control.Now that I think about the very low mileage on this SUV. This perhaps is why they sold it. ly wobble
2024 Kia EV9 has destroyed two complete tire sets in 4 months (October 2025, January 2026) despite two professional alignments (May 2025, October 2025). Dealer service manager admitted on recorded call (1/7/26) seeing multiple EV9s "under 18,000 miles" destroy tires, confirming fleet-wide pattern. Multiple owner forums report the exact same issue. MY CASE: - [XXX] (11,860 mi): Steering misalignment, independent shop (Town Fair Tire) confirmed alignment issue - June 2025 - Vehicle inspected and tires rotated by authorized Kia dealership - Berlin City in Vermont - October 2025 (22,736 mi): Left rear BLOWOUT while driving. ALL FOUR OEM tires (113 load rating - "correct" per Kia) worn to bare threads. Tires had ~18,000 miles on them. October 2025: Snow tires were installed in October 2025, with 10/32" tread (were driven ~4,000 miles the previous winter). Dealer performed alignment, no before/after documentation provided [XXX] (25,486 mi): Same winter tires that drove 4,000 mi perfectly first winter destroyed in 2,700 mi second winter DEFINITIVE PROOF - Multi-Point Inspection (1/5/26): On 1/5/2026: Rear Left: 1/32" tread (destroyed in 2,700 miles from Oct. '25 to Jan. '26) Rear Right: 1/32" tread (destroyed in 2,700 miles from Oct. '25 to Jan. '26) Front Left: 10/32" tread Front Right: 10/32" tread Rear-only catastrophic wear on AWD vehicle is definitive proof of rear suspension or alignment defect. If load rating or overloading were the cause, all four tires would wear equally. SAFETY HAZARDS: Left rear tire BLOWOUT October 2025 while driving at 35 mph. Service Manager Pat (1/7/26): "Under 18,000 miles I've seen" other EV9s destroy tires - CONFIRMS FLEET-WIDE PATTERN Service Manager: "I can't tell you why the alignment is out" - CANNOT DIAGNOSE ROOT CAUSE Service Advisor John (1/6/26): "There's got to be an elephant in the room somewhere" - ADMITS UNDIAGNOSED DEFECT EXISTS Service Advisor: "I wouldn't feel safe putting my guys in it" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When driving between 20-40 mph and hitting a rough patch of road, pothole, expansion joint, or uneven pavement, the vehicle sometimes heavily sways left to right. It takes one to two seconds to stabilize after the swaying. My wife and I both experience it at different times - we say it "feels like a wheel is falling off" because it's so disorienting and concerning. It often happens unexpectedly with road surface that doesn't actually appear to be all that bad. The rear end feels particularly unstable, like the suspension can't control the vehicle's weight when it's swaying. It's not a small vibration - it's a pronounced side-to-side oscillation. Sometimes I need to make steering corrections just to keep the vehicle centered in the lane. This unpredictable swaying makes us nervous about driving in adverse weather conditions. We can't trust how the vehicle will react when hitting unavoidable bumps and road imperfections. We have noticed it over 50mph at times but it is much more rare at this speed -- though when it happens at this speed it is obviously much more concerning. At higher speeds the swaying does not seem as pronounced / dangerous as at lower speeds, thankfully. After researching online, I discovered many other EV9 owners reporting identical suspension problems. Multiple complaints describe the same lateral swaying, porpoising, and bump-steer behavior that we are experiencing. This appears to be particularly common among GT-Line models. The consistency of these reports suggests this is a systemic defect affecting multiple vehicles, not an isolated incident with our particular vehicle. We have 11k miles on the vehicle now and this has been consistently happening since 200-300 miles brand new. We've mentioned to a dealer but it is very difficult to reproduce as it seems to happen randomly, even over the same stretch of rough road.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 20):
The dashboard and control panel of my vehicle have repeatedly blacked out since shortly after purchase. These blackouts cause the entire instrument cluster and control systems, including critical safety features, to become non-functional or obstructed intermittently while driving. This creates a dangerous situation where I lose access to important information such as speed, warning indicators, and climate controls, severely compromising my ability to operate the vehicle safely. The issue has occurred multiple times, including once while driving on a highway, which put me and other drivers at significant risk. The problem has been reported to authorized dealerships, where the vehicle was inspected and software updates were attempted, but the issue persists. Despite multiple repair attempts, the blackouts continue to happen unpredictably. There have been no specific warning lamps or messages prior to the blackouts; the system simply fails without notice. The malfunction affects the vehicle’s safety system by obstructing the driver’s view of critical controls and information, increasing the risk of accidents. Customer service from the dealerships has been unsatisfactory, with long wait times for repairs, lack of loaner vehicles, and repeated failure to resolve the problem. This ongoing safety concern remains unresolved despite numerous visits and repair attempts.
Vehicle suspension experiences rear end swaying at speed when encountering rough or uneven road surfaces. Vehicle is available upon request. Rear 2 rows experience it more than front but requires driver to be mindful of steering to maintain control of vehicle. Dealer replicated swaying on vehicle and new 1 off the lot on 11/11/2024 per service invoice. Dealer service department test drove, rebalanced all tires, performed alignment, 8k service, and has performed 4 multi-point inspections since purchase in July 2025. No warning indicators, codes, or lights on dash and as stated on service invoice.
Active lane keeping function feature disengages without audible warning leading to multiple near collisions. Happens without warning or any particular trigger. Was brought to the kia specialist attention and he did not seem surprised or concerned. Happens almost every time this feature is utilized at some random point in the drive.
Instrument panel was non-functioning
Over 10 times I've had errors come up on dashboard about sensor systems that are not working. Cat has been taken in 5 times for this with no resolution. I can provide numerous dashboard pictures going back since I purchased the vehicle
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 17):
While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and could not accelerate normally. The speed dropped and got stuck around 12–25 mph even when pressing the accelerator. This happened multiple times, usually during hot daytime conditions. It created a serious safety risk, and one time another car almost hit me from behind because my vehicle slowed down so suddenly. The dealer has inspected the car several times but said they could not reproduce the problem. Warning messages such as “Power Limited” appeared on the dashboard when the failure occurred. I also recorded multiple videos of the problem when it happened.
I was driving around 60-65 mph on the highway when suddenly a warning alarm went off and the warning light read “stop vehicle and check brake system”. I took my foot off the accelerator and car continued to maintain speed. The power brakes did not work. I put the car into neutral hoping that would slow it down, but it continued to maintain speed. I went into the right lane and put on my hazards. When I had the opportunity to pull into the breakdown lane, I did so and was able to push the brake pedal manually and get the car to stop, and turn it off. When I turned the car back on again, I got the same warnings and alarms. After 5-10 minutes, when I turned the car on, everything seemed to have cleared. I still had the car towed to KIA to investigate the issue.
What happened? While driving at highway speeds (approximately 60-75 mph), the vehicle exhibits a pronounced up-and-down motion at the rear, commonly referred to as “porpoising.” This motion is especially noticeable when traversing uneven road surfaces or expansion joints. This issue compromises vehicle stability and passenger comfort, posing a potential safety risk during high-speed travel. The problem has been consistently reproducible under similar driving conditions. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer or independent service center for this specific issue. No warning lights or error messages have appeared on the dashboard in relation to this problem. Component suspected: Rear suspension system (exact cause UNKNOWN). I am willing to have the vehicle inspected upon request.
Vehicles accelerates aggressively to no limit (95+) when adaptive cruise control is set and there is no leading vehicle within following range.
Instrument panel was non-functioning
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 14):
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Two components failed simultaneously: (1) the rear passenger side tire experienced a catastrophic blowout while traveling at 65 MPH on the highway, and (2) the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) failed to detect or warn of any tire pressure abnormality before or after the blowout. Following the blowout, the vehicle’s diagnostics screen displayed “All Systems OK” while the instrument cluster simultaneously showed a “Low Tire Pressure” warning — indicating a TPMS malfunction. The original blown tire has been retained and is available for inspection upon request. All four tires have since been replaced. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A tire blowout at 65 MPH on a highway created an immediate risk, I briefly lost control of the vehicle as it became wobbly and unstable to steer, we were at at risk of collision, or rollover. Two minor children were passengers in the vehicle at the time. The simultaneous TPMS failure provided no advance warning, eliminating any opportunity to safely reduce speed or pull over before the blowout occurred. The vehicle had been in my possession for approximately two-three hours at the time of the incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? UNKNOWN Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the tire blowout. The TPMS provided zero advance warning. After the blowout had already occurred and the vehicle was stopped on the roadside, the instrument cluster displayed a “Low Tire Pressure” warning. However, simultaneously, the Vehicle Diagnostics screen displayed “All Systems OK” with a green check-mark.
We were driving in the middle lane, going straight approximately 25 MPH. The car lurched and almost flipped. We were able to pull over, the wheel was no longer spinning with the car and the tie rod snapped at a weld point. We could have been killed had we been going faster. My son was thankfully not in the car. I am desperately trying to get the car inspected but the dealership will not unless we pay. There were no warnings, but a whining sound began yesterday and we were on the way to the dealership this morning. Now there are warnings. There have been so many safety issues with this car. I will be filing 2 other reports for the seats.
2024 Kia EV9 has destroyed two complete tire sets in 4 months (October 2025, January 2026) despite two professional alignments (May 2025, October 2025). Dealer service manager admitted on recorded call (1/7/26) seeing multiple EV9s "under 18,000 miles" destroy tires, confirming fleet-wide pattern. Multiple owner forums report the exact same issue. MY CASE: - [XXX] (11,860 mi): Steering misalignment, independent shop (Town Fair Tire) confirmed alignment issue - June 2025 - Vehicle inspected and tires rotated by authorized Kia dealership - Berlin City in Vermont - October 2025 (22,736 mi): Left rear BLOWOUT while driving. ALL FOUR OEM tires (113 load rating - "correct" per Kia) worn to bare threads. Tires had ~18,000 miles on them. October 2025: Snow tires were installed in October 2025, with 10/32" tread (were driven ~4,000 miles the previous winter). Dealer performed alignment, no before/after documentation provided [XXX] (25,486 mi): Same winter tires that drove 4,000 mi perfectly first winter destroyed in 2,700 mi second winter DEFINITIVE PROOF - Multi-Point Inspection (1/5/26): On 1/5/2026: Rear Left: 1/32" tread (destroyed in 2,700 miles from Oct. '25 to Jan. '26) Rear Right: 1/32" tread (destroyed in 2,700 miles from Oct. '25 to Jan. '26) Front Left: 10/32" tread Front Right: 10/32" tread Rear-only catastrophic wear on AWD vehicle is definitive proof of rear suspension or alignment defect. If load rating or overloading were the cause, all four tires would wear equally. SAFETY HAZARDS: Left rear tire BLOWOUT October 2025 while driving at 35 mph. Service Manager Pat (1/7/26): "Under 18,000 miles I've seen" other EV9s destroy tires - CONFIRMS FLEET-WIDE PATTERN Service Manager: "I can't tell you why the alignment is out" - CANNOT DIAGNOSE ROOT CAUSE Service Advisor John (1/6/26): "There's got to be an elephant in the room somewhere" - ADMITS UNDIAGNOSED DEFECT EXISTS Service Advisor: "I wouldn't feel safe putting my guys in it" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When driving at speeds 60+ mph, EV9 steering wheel and center console vibrate consistently even on newly paved smooth road(s). I have taken it into two different dealerships for resolve twice within the first week of ownership. Both dealerships checked tires, mount and balanced the ones that were off and sent us on our way. The steering wheel and console vibrations persist. I have taken it back in and reported that the issue hasn’t been resolved. They noted it on the service order but did nothing further in an effort to resolve the issue. This is a well known and documented safety issue on NHTSA complaints and several Facebook owner groups for the EV9 across the world.
1. When I go over bumps, the car behaves as if it's about to lose control. It porpoises and at one point it feels like you're about to lose control of the vehicle. 2. We have taken the vehicle to the dealer 3+ times now for the same issue. They claim that it's a glitch in the suspension but there is no know fix. At 55+MPH the vehicle starts vibrating and is completely different than issue number 1 above. They've tried balancing the tires but it has not been Successful. We're hoping to claim the car and Lemon through WI.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 14):
When driving at speeds 60+ mph, EV9 steering wheel and center console vibrate consistently even on newly paved smooth road(s). I have taken it into two different dealerships for resolve twice within the first week of ownership. Both dealerships checked tires, mount and balanced the ones that were off and sent us on our way. The steering wheel and console vibrations persist. I have taken it back in and reported that the issue hasn’t been resolved. They noted it on the service order but did nothing further in an effort to resolve the issue. This is a well known and documented safety issue on NHTSA complaints and several Facebook owner groups for the EV9 across the world.
Vehicle experiences steering vibration when at highway speeds (above 65mph). I have brought the vehicle in for service four times and the issue still returned after multiple alignments, rotations, and road force balances. The local service techs are working with Kia, but it has currently been in the shop for 24 days with no resolution. According to the service advisor, tires have been inspected and even swapped with new ones but the problem is still present. I am concerned with the safety of the vehicle because it creates issues with control at high speeds which could result in an accident. Even at low speeds, the rear end fishtails over small bumps creating a temporary loss of control. I am unsure if the two are related. I can provide Kia service order numbers and Kia customer care case number upon request. Multiple other owners have experienced the same concerns and have posted a growing number of instances where the vehicle was purchased back by Kia as a result.
Steering and hand rest console vibrates above 70 mph, no resolution kia with 6 times visits to dealership
I have persistent vibration issues with Kia ev9. It is very much a risk as it causes concentration issues while driving. My tires are worn out at less than 10k. Looking at the forum and reports a lot of folks who have EV9 are facing the same issue. Is there a investigation which can be looked into as this can be a safety issue due to vibration as well tired being worn as well.
When you're at speeds greater than 15mph and hit a bump or encounter a surface irregularity (pothole, expansion joint, etc.), the Kia EV9 GT Line goes into a porpoising sway, causing the entire chassis to become unsettled. The swaying is much more pronounced when only one side of the encounters the irregularity, or if the car is not perfectly perpendicular to the irregularity and the left and right wheels pass over the irregularity at different times. The effect is especially noticeable in the rear. This unsettling 'swaying' increases with speed and happens both while driving straight and through corners. The rear end feels as though it's hopping or skipping from side to side. Out of all the vehicles I’ve driven—and I’ve driven quite a few—I’ve never experienced anything like this. During wet and slippery conditions, driving over small bumps or manhole covers has even caused the vehicle to lose traction and begin spinning - even while traveling at 25mph in a straight line. I purchased the EV9 in early 2024 and it has had the issue since delivery. I have heard many other EV9 GT Line owners complain of similar suspension issues and I am frankly surprised that there has not been a string of crashes and fatalities linked to the issue. I have spoken to the Kia dealership several times but because the vehicle is new they claim that they have not heard any other reports and they do not have the experience to diagnose or fix the issue.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 11):
When making left turn or going over bumps, driver seat pops and feel shifted.
In October 2025, my drivers seat began to move forward and fold on its own. I was sitting in the seat and crushed. I was able to free myself. I might have photos. I did call Kia. For a second time maybe a month ago, I was undoing my son's car seat from the latch and the seat began to fold up and pinned my neck and arm. I thought I was going to die. This was a rear passenger seat.
The front drivers seat slightly shifts during tight turns. There is a slight click in the lumbar towards the center of the car.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side seat detached from the frame. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to reach the brake pedal, and almost lost control of the vehicle. In addition, the contact’s mother and minor children were also occupants of the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact was now concerned about the safety of the vehicle and was afraid to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that all the seats inside the vehicle had detached from the frame due to fractured bolts. The contact was informed that the bolts needed to be torqued. The vehicle was repaired. The failure first occurred immediately after the vehicle was purchased. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 6.
During left turns the driver's seat will shift right abruptly causing the driver to feel unsafe. This happens repeatedly and consistently while driving, but only while turning left. I've taken this issue to the dealer who replicated it, but did nothing.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 10):
Vehicle loses accelerator control unless under 30mph. Dealer says they cannot replicate and corporate have decided the vehicle works as designed. I have a video of vehicle losing power and it doesn't help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle was being driven on a highway when it became unresponsive to input from the accelerator pedal and the car's dashboard indicated an electrical system failure. There were no indications of problems with the car before the electrical system failure warning appeared. The car coasted to a stop on the side of the highway, where it was disabled (i.e., it would not shift into drive or reverse). The car was towed to a Kia dealership, where it has been for more than five weeks. The dealership replaced the ICCU but that did not resolve the problem and the car remains non-functional. The Kia dealership is waiting for the delivery of additional backordered electrical system parts to see if they resolve the problems.
At least one cell of the ev battery is defective and the battery will not charge. The dealer determined that it is unsafe to drive. We are pending repairs and under warranty for over 40 days now and Kia can provide de no estimate for when the car will be repaired.
Vehicle failing to charge beyond 65% state of charge. Error message P1AA700 (warning) appearing on the dash with an electrical charging system issue. Kia Customer Care Case Number: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicles battery has somehow malfunctioned and will charge to 100% but only has ~40 miles of range. This lead to my family being almost stranded in the middle of the night without range to get home with the un expected decrease. Vehicle is currently still at the dealership and has been there for over a month. They believe they have identified a problem with the battery pack but have to send out a specialist to look at it and have been waiting for that person for over three weeks and there is still no one assigned
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 9):
[XXX] Message says warning "check ev system". they then sent a letter saying it had to go to the dealer, or the car would need A tow potentially. I can't get an appointment as they are way too busy to do anything other than tell me they will get back to me, repeatedly stating they will do so in one business day. it has been a week. My wife is scared to drive the car. I think it is bogus as no recall has been issued. I have had the car for 19 months with no such warning. Two days after it shows up on the screen in the car i receive the letter. This is fishy. it is either a recall, or it isn't. if it is why is it not in your data base? The vagueness of the message is inappropriate, and it implies danger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Car stopped working and wouldn’t start. I was told there is an ICCU failure. There is a back order of ICCU for this vehicle and unknown date of repair.
Vehicle loses accelerator control unless under 30mph. Dealer says they cannot replicate and corporate have decided the vehicle works as designed. I have a video of vehicle losing power and it doesn't help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle was being driven on a highway when it became unresponsive to input from the accelerator pedal and the car's dashboard indicated an electrical system failure. There were no indications of problems with the car before the electrical system failure warning appeared. The car coasted to a stop on the side of the highway, where it was disabled (i.e., it would not shift into drive or reverse). The car was towed to a Kia dealership, where it has been for more than five weeks. The dealership replaced the ICCU but that did not resolve the problem and the car remains non-functional. The Kia dealership is waiting for the delivery of additional backordered electrical system parts to see if they resolve the problems.
Vehicle suddenly slowed, with the same force at regenerative braking, to 30mph. Vehicle would not go any faster, changing drive modes, pedal to the floor, anything I tried did not work. Was in the middle of a 55mph road and was suddenly moving much slower than traffic with nowhere to pull off the road No warnings, no lights, nothing to indicate that I saw to show there was an issue. Dealership could not replicate and found no error codes.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 9):
Windshield wipers stopped working in middle of bad snow storm. I had to pull over, wait for the weather to improve before proceeding. I have a minor child and safety is a concern to me. Thought it was the wiper so I went to AutoZone to replace it and was told the problem is the wiper motor and that I needed to take to the dealership for repair
Wiper washer system was working properly until the first snowfall today. Despite the very small amount of snow, the wiper washer system for the front windshield will not operate. The rear washer works properly. Washer reservoir is full and the wipers work properly.
Snow accumulates under wiper blades and then ice sticks to the wipers themselves. Big chunks of ice form on blades so that wipers do not clear snow/water off of windshield. Impossible to see while driving when this occurs in snowy conditions. Defrost setting on HVAC is not enough to melt ice so must be manually removed. No reference in user manual or from KIA on how to manage.
The windshield wipers could not complete full return to starting position due to wet snow. This caused a shuddering noise as the mechanism driving the wipers continued to try to complete its motion. Then an electrical burning smell emanated through the car.
When blocked from returning to the fully off/down position, in this case by ice, the windshield wipers stop working. In my other vehicle, even if they don't go all the way down they still operate. We had an ice blockage that completely deactivated the wipers while driving in already hazardous conditions.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 8):
I recently purchase my 2024 EV9 from Carvana with 9578 miles listed on 12/12/25. Doing my 7 days to purchase this SUV. I had some concerns about the violent wobble when I drove over a bump. With some concerns about this SUV, I google to see if anyone else had this same issue. To my surprise I founded a lot of complaints and ways to resolved the issue. One consumer stated he had his EV9 aligned and reduce some of the wobble but not completely. I drove to Courage KIA in Gastonia NC. When I drove their system performed a per inspection on your vehicle. The alignment was way out of alignment. Had the alignment taken care of however it still a wobble. On 12/24/26 doing the snow and ice storm here in Charlotte, I attempted to make a trip to the store. The roads were wet but no snow or ice was on the roads. However when I hit a bump the rear end violently wobble and the rear end moved to the left and right farther it did before. I thought I was going to spin out of control.Now that I think about the very low mileage on this SUV. This perhaps is why they sold it. ly wobble
Steering and hand rest console vibrates above 70 mph, no resolution kia with 6 times visits to dealership
UNKNOWN
The 12-volt battery for the vehicle was depleted, so the vehicle had to be jump-started to run. I work for a repair facility (it was here for collision repairs, as far as I know unrelated to this issue) and since I was unfamiliar with the vehicle, I inadvertently turned it off before shifting into park. When I took my foot off the brake, the vehicle began to roll forward. I am not sure if the vehicle was in park, neutral, or even reverse (the gear I was in when I turned the vehicle off), but whatever gear it was, the vehicle kept rolling after it was turned off. I tried turning the vehicle back on to shift to park, but was unable to do so due to the depleted 12-volt battery. I tried hitting the park button anyway, and this did nothing. I then tried to engage the electronic parking brake, but this was also inoperative due to the lack of power. With each attempt, I tried briefly taking my foot off the brake, but each time it continued to roll forward. I then called my manager and asked him to jump start the vehicle so I could put it in park and engage the parking brake. No damage was done in this incident, nor was anyone hurt, but this lack of fail-safes to prevent the vehicle from moving after a loss of power is a significant design flaw and safety hazard. If I had not noticed the issue in time and gotten out, the vehicle could have rolled away and caused property damage or bodily injury to me or a bystander. To my knowledge, this is the only such incident with this vehicle, and I do not know whether it is specific to this particular vehicle or replicable in others of the same year make and model. There were no warning lights.
Another car parked around 12 inches from the driver's door of my Kia EV9. I was unable to electronically unlock any of the doors nor the rear hatch to let me get inside my car. I tried the key fob, the Kia app on my Android phone, and touching the both front door handles. The side mirrors extended and the lights flashed and the horn beeped each time I attempted to unlock my vehicle, but the side handls wouldn't extend out. I tried opening the rear hatch via the key fob but it didn't open; also I tried opening the rear hatch by pressing the switch near the license plate, again, it didn't open. I was standing in a parking lot for 30 minutes before the driver of the other drove away.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 8):
I was driving around 60-65 mph on the highway when suddenly a warning alarm went off and the warning light read “stop vehicle and check brake system”. I took my foot off the accelerator and car continued to maintain speed. The power brakes did not work. I put the car into neutral hoping that would slow it down, but it continued to maintain speed. I went into the right lane and put on my hazards. When I had the opportunity to pull into the breakdown lane, I did so and was able to push the brake pedal manually and get the car to stop, and turn it off. When I turned the car back on again, I got the same warnings and alarms. After 5-10 minutes, when I turned the car on, everything seemed to have cleared. I still had the car towed to KIA to investigate the issue.
UNKNOWN
Parking brake remains engaged when driving after parking Must manually reset parking brake because the brake doesn’t release automatically after - as designed
The 12-volt battery for the vehicle was depleted, so the vehicle had to be jump-started to run. I work for a repair facility (it was here for collision repairs, as far as I know unrelated to this issue) and since I was unfamiliar with the vehicle, I inadvertently turned it off before shifting into park. When I took my foot off the brake, the vehicle began to roll forward. I am not sure if the vehicle was in park, neutral, or even reverse (the gear I was in when I turned the vehicle off), but whatever gear it was, the vehicle kept rolling after it was turned off. I tried turning the vehicle back on to shift to park, but was unable to do so due to the depleted 12-volt battery. I tried hitting the park button anyway, and this did nothing. I then tried to engage the electronic parking brake, but this was also inoperative due to the lack of power. With each attempt, I tried briefly taking my foot off the brake, but each time it continued to roll forward. I then called my manager and asked him to jump start the vehicle so I could put it in park and engage the parking brake. No damage was done in this incident, nor was anyone hurt, but this lack of fail-safes to prevent the vehicle from moving after a loss of power is a significant design flaw and safety hazard. If I had not noticed the issue in time and gotten out, the vehicle could have rolled away and caused property damage or bodily injury to me or a bystander. To my knowledge, this is the only such incident with this vehicle, and I do not know whether it is specific to this particular vehicle or replicable in others of the same year make and model. There were no warning lights.
Vehicle was stored in a closed garage prior to operation. I started the vehicle and began to back out of the garage into the driveway. After approximately 3-5 feet of movement backward, several yellow warning icons illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle's brakes stopped functioning. The vehicle free-rolled several feet down the driveway. After about 1 second, the vehicle brakes engaged, all warning lights went out, and the vehicle began operating normally. I attempted to replicate the fault but was not able to. I feel this is a safety concern because uncontrolled rolling of a 2-ton vehicle could cause a crash or I could have rolled over a small child or a dog on my sidewalk! Ambient temperature 56F with no precipitation and low relative humidity. Garage was at roughly 65F. Vehicle has 3,960 miles on the odometer and was at approximately 40% charge on the main battery. I am currently on hold with Kia to report the issue (20 minutes and counting).
Of 6 reports about this part, 1 involved a crash and 0 a fire.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 6):
Two seatbelts failed in the rear of the car. One seatbelt in the third row seat and the middle seatbelt in the 2nd row back seat. This happened in quick succession soon after I purchased the car used from a Kia dealer in Orlando. The seatbelt in the third-row seat seemed to fold up and jam in a way that could not be unjammed. The middle seatbelt in the second row got stuck in its extended position, as if it were fully extended, and will not retract. The dealer is claiming that both failures were due to external issues and they are not covering them under warranty. But both issues seem odd to me -- the middle seat seatbelt is just fully extended and now won't retreat; the third row seatbelt folded up when it retracted but, in my experience, that happens somewhat frequently and usually the seatbelts just unfold and keep working. My concern is that this might be a sign that there is an underlying seatbelt manufacturing issue. The dealer is claiming that both seatbelt pretensioners need to be replaced. I have not repaired the seatbelt issues yet so they can both be examined. I can also sent photos of the seatbelts.
A rear seatbelt indicator in the dashboard is broken, and it persistently indicates that (a) a passenger is in a rear seat; and (b) the passenger's seatbelt is fastened. This occurs even if a passenger is not in the seat and the passenger's seatbelt is not fastened. It is unclear whether this is strictly an electronic error in the dashboard, or if the seatbelt itself does not function appropriately. Kia has unsuccessfully tried to fix it twice, and the service department reproduced the problem by simply turning on the vehicle and seeing the persistent light. The local Kia service department says they are not trained to fix many EV problems, so corporate has to be involved, but corporate has not provided material assistance. Corporate has been informed in writing several times of the issue, including that this is a material safety issue, particularly since the vehicle is marketed toward families where a seatbelt indicator may be relied upon by drivers, and it's unclear whether this is strictly an electronics issue or a seatbelt functionality issue. Corporate acknowledged receipt of communications in which they were asked if this has been reported to the NHTSA, and they ignored both requests.
We were rear ended on the freeway by a vehicle going 75 mph. The impact pushed us into the vehicle in front of us.The airbags were deployed but the front and rear passenger seat belts did not lock. My husband flew forward onto the dashboard and cracked the windshield. My daughter who was behind him flew forward into the back of the passenger seat. They both suffered injuries as a result. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by our insurance company..We have some pictures and video. As of now the vehicle is in the ownership of the insurance company on their storage lot.
After starting and backing the car out of a parking spot, I noticed the instrument cluster display screen behind the steering wheel was completely blank, except for the letter of the gear I was in (P, R, or D) in the bottom center of the screen. The symbol for the parking brake also appeared in the bottom left of the screen, and the Door Ajar symbol at the top of the screen. The Heads Up display was also not working at all. When the turn signal was used, I could not see the light flash on the screen, and there was no audible noise telling me the turn signal was on. In fact, many audio notifications did not work. I had no ability to see my speed as both the speedometer and Heads Up Display were not working. I also could not see what mode of regenerative braking was being used, or any other vehicle status that normally appears on the status display. This is dangerous situation for multiple reasons: 1) I can not see how fast I was going 2) There were no safety indicators, visual or audio, that the seat belt is not used. 3) I can not tell if my turn signal was on, which could result in an accident when changing lanes if it wasn't working 4) I can not see how much range is left, potentially resulting in a situation where I get stranded. 5) I could not see what mode of regenerative braking I was in. This is important to ensure the car can be stopped in a safe manner, as each mode affects the stopping distance required. The problem can be reproduced. I am unable to get the display cluster screen to reappear. I have turned the car off and on and it still remains blank along with the heads up display. I have also changed settings for the display cluster in the main menu, but it does not work. I have not had an oppty to have this car inspected yet, but it is available upon request. I plan to call Kia to schedule an appointment. There was also no warning this could occur. I have not had an issue like this appear before.
Drivers seat moving diagonally back and forth left to right when your make left and right turns. The force the car makes, forces the drivers seat to shift. Its a huge safety concern, everyone that has an EV9, a crash can result in the driver being killed because if the seat moves left to right forward and back under heavy or even light g force, imagine during a crash. The seatbelt is on the seat, so your whole body would go flying into the windshield because the seat can't even stay in position with light or heavy movements. Several people have reported identical experiences that only indicate the problem is not just happening to one or a few cars. Kia of America refused to replace my seat and refused at the local kia service center in Daytona beach, FL acknowledge or be shown the replication of the safety hazard. Several others on Facebook and forums are trying to take to service centers, but with it being a complex matter of not just the seat bolts needing to be tightened and something above the seat frame causing the issue, "master technicians" have no idea what they are looking at.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 5 of 6):
The display for the instrument cluster is completely blank, or shows unrelated information after starting the car and shows none of the vital information about the car's operation or status. After leaving the car off for 30 minutes, the instrument cluster display began functioning normally. This was the subject of a 2024 October recall which we got dealer service for but the issue is not resolved.
For the second time in a week, the instrument panel went completely blank. This meant it was not possible to see speed, etc. The multimedia display panel in the center of the dash continued to work fine. The first time this happened last week, the problem resolved itself after the vehicle was turned off for 2 hours. Many others have reported this problem over the past month here: [XXX] I have had this vehicle for more than 3 months and last week was the first time this happened, but it happened again today. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The main display of the vehicle which shows Speed, Range, Blind Spot Cameras, etc - essentally all the critical vehicle information needed to drive - goes blank randomly. While the vehicle is driveable during this time, the driver does not know their speed, range, any other alerts/warnings that would typically be shown on the guage screen (including seatbelt warnings, mechanical failure warnings etc). During this time the climate screen and infotainment screens, which are seperate, function but the main guage screen does NOT. There is no pattern/predictablity as to when the screen will be unavailable. Further, it does not seem to return until the vehicle is parked and locked for an extended period (eg, several hours).
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the turn signals became inoperable while attempting to switch lanes. The contact stated that the instrument panel was also inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Without any previous warning signs or issues, the dashboard screen went blank. I was unable to see my speed, or use my signals and wipers. I tried turning the car on and off and it still wasn’t fixed. I was able to drive the car home and my infotainment system still operated but the screen with the important info is broken.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 4 of 4):
Car stopped working and wouldn’t start. I was told there is an ICCU failure. There is a back order of ICCU for this vehicle and unknown date of repair.
I would also like to highlight the serious safety concern due to cell deviation (imbalance) along with SOC (State of Charge) mismatch as per my car's BMS (Battery management system) which is present in my vehicle and shared with Kia corporate. In an electric vehicle, the high-voltage battery cells, the Battery Management System, and the battery coolant system function as a single integrated safety-critical system. When battery cells are imbalanced and there is a significant mismatch between the state of charge displayed to the driver and the lower usable energy calculated by the Battery Management System, the weakest cell can reach its safe operating limit under normal driving load even though the dashboard indicates sufficient charge. If this condition is combined with a battery coolant system fault, such as low coolant level or air in the cooling circuit, battery temperatures can rise unevenly and further reduce safe operating margins. To protect the battery and prevent thermal or electrical damage, the system must immediately limit propulsion or enter a reduced-power (“turtle”) mode without driver input. Because these protective actions can occur suddenly and without advance warning, they can restrict acceleration or vehicle speed during ordinary driving conditions such as merging or maintaining highway speed, creating an unexpected loss-of-propulsion safety risk rather than a mere inconvenience. This is equivalent to a faulty fuel gauge for a gasoline car but with more immediate and severe consequences Sudden Power Cutoffs: If a single battery cell's voltage drops below a safe threshold, the Battery Management System (BMS) will shut down the entire pack to prevent permanent damage. This can happen even if the dashboard shows 25% or more remaining, potentially leaving you without power while driving. Loss of Vehicle Control: A sudden shutdown can lead to a loss of power steering and braking assistance, which is hazardous in high-speed or heavytraffic situatio
I was driving and the car suddenly gave a number of error messages, and I could not drive above 40 miles an hour on the freeway. This was very unsafe. I had it towed to the dealership and they replaced the ICCU Unit, which appears to be a very common problem with Hyundai/Kia electric vehicles. The ICCU unit does not power the car. It should not have affected the car's performance.
I leased my EV9, GT from Northstar KIA, NY. I got the delivery of EV9 GT on 3/29/2024. I started to notice that the car was not charging properly. After the whole night of charging it was charged like 3-4% at most. on the 3rd-4th day, the car started to make sudden abnormal sounds. I called the salesperson and dealership regarding the charging, and other issues, and told me to take it to the service center. I took the car to the service center on 4/7/2024, and I was told that the mechanic for EV9 was not available that day. Later that day I was driving to the shopping mall, and the car started to behave weirdly, after driving about 8-10 miles, right before the mall entrance, the car became very slow, it was not responding to acceleration. I was slowly able to pull the car to the parking. About 2-3 hours later when I started the car again, it started normally, all the signs were good, and as soon as I turned my car on the main street, about 3-4 minutes after starting the car, it suddenly stopped. Thank God, there were no cars right behind me. The power was on, but the car was not moving. I had to tow the car to my home since the service center was closed. The next day I called Kia roadside assistance and it is at a service center on 04/08/2024. I am an extremely busy physician and have small children in my household. I am deeply concerned about the safety aspects of this vehicle as it tends to shut off in the roadway while driving. This is extremely dangerous for me and my family. To my surprise, My dealer, Northstar KIA has no loaner vehicle. After my repeated requests, my salesperson told me to go to the service center and ask for a rental car. and also told me they would reimburse the rental fees. When I called the service center, they said they do not have any rental or loaner car. While I leased and paid for the car, I am without my car or a loaner car.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 3 of 3):
The main instrument panel went black just shift indicator is visible. Did not know how fast i was going. No warning messages or lamps came on prior to not coming on.
The car has a screen which contains the speedometer, battery charge level, odometer miles, turn signal operation and other information including the parking collision warning and the forward collision warning. The screen went blank and dark
The digital display that shows the driver gauge cluster that includes current speed, as well as other crucial information, is not functioning. It displays nothing other than the current gear selection. None of the audible collision safety features are functioning either.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 2 of 2):
For several weeks the car has felt out of balance and I had it in the shop once to be balanced. The balance felt it lasted a very short time. I took the car in today to be checked out and the passenger rear tire couldn’t hold a balance. Mechanic removed tire and the interior sound deadening foam had detached on greater than 50% of the diameter of the tire. This has been widely commented on as a common failure mode for these Hankook tires on EV9 vehicles. I wanted the remaining tires inspected but as they would hold a balance the dealer had no reason to put in the labor of removing and inspecting the foam. 285/45 R21
Purchased new all four tires (P 285 / 45 R 21 113V XL) in Dec, 2025 after confirming fits my vehicle. Warranty 60,000 miles. About 4 months later and about 1,800 miles of use, both rear tires have lost most of their tread and steel belts are showing per auto dealer. Front tires have also los quite a bit of tread. Vehicle had 4 wheel alignment before these tires were installed. Dealer & vehicle manufacturer representative confirmed no issue with vehicle. Also noted on 4/29/2026 that tire manufacturer web site states that these tires are no longer available for my vehicle. This is a significant safety hazard in its present state and worse yet subject to sudden tire failure.
Of 1 reports about this part, 0 involved a crash and 1 a fire.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. The contact pressed the recirculate air button, but the burning odor intensified. No warning light was illuminated. The contact noticed flames coming from underneath the front driver's seat. The contact's husband pulled over and parked the vehicle. The contact, her husband, and their child were able to safely exit the vehicle. A vehilcle who had been driving behind stopped to assist, and since it was cold weather conditions, the contact and family waited for the Fire Department inside that owner's vehicle. There was no medical attention was received. When firefighters and police arrived, the fire had been self-extinguished. The contact was unaware of any reports filed by police or the fire department; however, the fire department informed the contact that there was no evidence of the lithium battery catching fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but it had not yet been declared totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that upon inspection, the wire beneath the front driver's seat had melted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
The car seat system on this device is defective. After placing the shell back on the base and it clicking/latching in place, the shell pops off with using minimal force. The bar with the little plastic arms do not hold the car seat in place. This is extremely dangerous for the child. The arms and bar should be replaced with something that locks in place. In the photos you can see where I circled in red, shows the parts that are unattaching. And the yellow indicates the wear/friction on the plastic surface from it sliding in and out of place. It also rotates of of locked by itself without holding the rotating button. There have been several complaints on this same issue. At this point a recall needs to happen before this car seat kills a child.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
The car seat system on this device is defective. After placing the shell back on the base and it clicking/latching in place, the shell pops off with using minimal force. The bar with the little plastic arms do not hold the car seat in place. This is extremely dangerous for the child. The arms and bar should be replaced with something that locks in place. In the photos you can see where I circled in red, shows the parts that are unattaching. And the yellow indicates the wear/friction on the plastic surface from it sliding in and out of place. It also rotates of of locked by itself without holding the rotating button. There have been several complaints on this same issue. At this point a recall needs to happen before this car seat kills a child.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
The car seat system on this device is defective. After placing the shell back on the base and it clicking/latching in place, the shell pops off with using minimal force. The bar with the little plastic arms do not hold the car seat in place. This is extremely dangerous for the child. The arms and bar should be replaced with something that locks in place. In the photos you can see where I circled in red, shows the parts that are unattaching. And the yellow indicates the wear/friction on the plastic surface from it sliding in and out of place. It also rotates of of locked by itself without holding the rotating button. There have been several complaints on this same issue. At this point a recall needs to happen before this car seat kills a child.
Real owner reports filed with NHTSA (showing 1 of 1):
UNKNOWN
Many crash/fire reportsSome crash/fire reportsNo crash/fire in reports
Color = how serious (crash/fire involvement) · number = how many (share of all this car's reports). Tap any part to read real owner complaints.
Source: NHTSA — Owner Complaints · re-checked about every 24 hours
Crash-Test Safety Ratings
Official U.S. government 5-star crash-test results.
How to read these stars
These come from the government physically crash-testing this vehicle — front, side, and rollover — and scoring it 1 to 5 stars. Ratings are per body style, so a sedan and its coupe twin can differ. If a vehicle shows no rating, it usually means the government never tested that exact configuration — untested is not the same as unsafe, and we'll never blur that line.
2024 Kia EV9 SUV RWD
Source: NHTSA — 5-Star Safety Ratings · re-checked about every 24 hours
Fuel Economy (MPG)
Official EPA estimates — the real numbers, not the brochure.
No official EPA fuel-economy match for this exact model. Rather than show a guess, we're leaving it blank.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE — fueleconomy.gov · re-checked about every 24 hours