Kia EV9 Complaints

258 consumer complaints on file.

#11772901October 22, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
In July 2024, approximately two months after purchasing the vehicle new in May 2024, a significant spiderweb-shaped crack developed in the front illuminated grille and fascia assembly. The vehicle had approximately 300 miles on the odometer and the damage was discovered during a routine hand wash. The vehicle had only been driven under normal roadway conditions in the Corpus Christi, Texas area with no collisions, accidents, or known abnormal impacts. This exposed acrylic-style front fascia houses the GT-Line's digital lighting elements and protects critical front-mounted safety sensors and sophisticated electrical systems. The structural failure of this panel compromises the weather sealing, exposing sensitive high-voltage components and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensors to moisture and road debris. This poses a potential safety risk regarding electrical system integrity and sensor reliability. The vehicle was immediately presented to the original purchasing Kia dealership. The dealer ultimately replaced the entire front grille assembly at no charge under warranty. However, the replacement component utilized the identical structural design and materials, failing to correct the underlying vulnerability of the fascia to ordinary highway exposure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771804October 17, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On my 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line, the front illuminated digital pattern acrylic/plastic grill panel suffered a catastrophic structural failure, resulting in a complete blowout and puncture hole under normal driving conditions. The panel fractured and shattered completely while driving on standard paved roads, with zero history of front-end collisions, low-speed impacts, or road debris strikes. This indicates a severe material strength, thermal stress, or structural design defect where the acrylic housing cannot withstand normal operational driving forces. Given its placement over critical forward-facing ADAS sensors, cameras, and electrical lighting elements, this open hole and structural failure presents a severe safety, sensor compromise, and moisture/debris intrusion hazard. I am submitting this report to document the defect and wish to cross-reference existing complaint number 11589157, as multiple owners are experiencing identical structural failures of the illuminated grill panel under normal driving conditions. Requesting a federal investigation into material durability and a manufacturer-backed recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770000October 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Brand new car completely died after one month. The check EV system light came on while driving, could smell burning plastic smell. Vehicle went into limp mode on road and had to be towed to service center. At the service center all power in the vehicle went off and the car could not be driven. Service center diagnosed and reproduced the issue. Active DTC on the the ICCU (integrated charge control unit) unit powering the 12V battery was dead. The entire ICCU assembly had to be replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768293October 1, 2026
TIRES
Three of four original-equipment Kumho Crugen HP71 EV tires, size 255/60R19, on my 2025 Kia EV9 (VIN [XXX], 12,786 miles at failure) are out of round - a manufacturing defect present since the tires left the factory. On [XXX], Lee Johnson Kia in Kirkland, WA measured the rear-passenger tire at 37 lbs of road force against a 7-lb spec - more than five times the allowable limit. After dismount and remount it still measured 23 lbs. The technician documented the tire as out of round and requiring replacement (front tread 5/32 in, rear 7/32 in at 12,786 miles). Discount Tire in Redmond, WA separately confirmed 3 of 4 tires are out of round. For months the vehicle shook violently at highway speeds with my family in the vehicle. A tire at 5x the road-force spec degrades handling, damages suspension, and risks sudden tread separation or blowout at highway speed. I filed a warranty claim with Kumho Tire USA on 2026-09-26 with the dealer's written diagnosis attached. Kumho offered only a prorated $467.05 credit and refused full replacement, applying a treadwear formula to a materials/workmanship defect - a tire does not become out of round from normal driving. Kumho confirmed the decision in writing on 2026-09-30 and again 2026-10-01, and declined to advise whether continued operation is safe. The defective tires remain on the vehicle until scheduled replacement 2026-10-03. The DOT tire identification numbers are stamped on the sidewalls; I can provide them on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768404October 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 205 EV9 Wind with 24500 Miles left me stranded, the standard battery simbol that in ICE cards refers to the alternator, came on, I tried to get to the dealer about 20 miles in the way home, less that 3 miles after that the car lost power with just enough to move to the shoulder, I stopped, power the car off and tried turning it back on, no success, but this time I had enough power to park in a safer position. I took the vehicle on a tow truck that was called by the Kia Assistance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768236October 1, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
On September 10, 2026, while driving my Kia EV9 on a public roadway, I experienced a suspected unintended and excessive activation of the vehicle's collision-avoidance/automatic emergency braking system. I was traveling straight in my lane when another vehicle approached from the right side and crossed/moved into the roadway ahead. The other vehicle continued moving away from my immediate path; however, my EV9 suddenly applied substantial braking without me commanding that degree of braking. The incident was captured on my front dash camera. The recording shows my vehicle traveling approximately 31 MPH shortly before the event. The recorded speed decreases from approximately 30 MPH to 28 MPH, then rapidly to approximately 15 MPH and approximately 7 MPH within only a few seconds. The unexpected braking created a serious safety concern because a vehicle traveling closely behind me could have struck the rear of my vehicle. There was no collision, and fortunately no vehicle was immediately behind me. I retained the original dash-cam recording and can provide it for inspection upon request. The vehicle is also available for inspection. I have since disabled the collision-avoidance feature because I am concerned that another unintended braking event could occur at highway or roadway speeds. I am reporting this incident because the driver-assistance system appeared to intervene more aggressively than the traffic situation required and temporarily took braking control away from the driver. I am requesting that NHTSA document and evaluate this incident for possible similar complaints involving Kia EV9 collision-avoidance or automatic emergency braking systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767310September 27, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The digital rearview mirror system intermittently fails while in use. The image in the rearview mirror will start flickering and eventually go completely black while driving. The system has been inspected and serviced multiple times by the dealership under warranty but the problem keeps recurring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766978September 25, 2026
SUSPENSION
Parts near the rear left suspension area fell off and landed on the inside rear left wheel while driving in I-405. Wheels have never been removed for by reason before this incident after purchasing the car. Car only has 7724 miles on the odometer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763764September 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
So I called KIA about this, but I wanted my report to appear here too. Back in February, my right foot was run over by my car. It was an accident. I had gotten out of the driver's passenger side to check on something that was making noises. The person who ran my foot over didn't realize I was out of the car, and there was no warning; there was no noise indicating my door was open. Then the back driver-side tire ran over my foot. My foot was broken in a few places, and I was in a shoe boot for quite a while. It is very dangerous to think there was no alert; I can't imagine if this happened to a child. I was pretty thorough in telling them what happened, and nobody ever tried to compensate me or do anything about my situation. It is a major hazard to have your foot run over because the car is super heavy because of the battery. I'm lucky my foot healed, and I didn't need any further treatment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11763485September 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS, STRUCTURE:BODY
I was sold a vehicle with a manufacturer defect. At purchase there was a loud wind noise coming from sunroof. I was promised a swift service department visit to realign the sunroof. At service visit ten days later the dealership replaced sunroof and threw electrical error codes B271100. After a specialist over rode the error the dealership claimed fixed and had me pick up the vehicle. The loud wind noise was still present. When I attempted to return the vehicle the dealership said I would no longer be serviced by their dealership. Kia Customer Care sent me to a second dealership. Second dealership brought in techline specialist that ordered Kia Warranty repair would replace the entire roof. The vehicle is at a third party auto body repair shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761029August 31, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2026 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and accelerating through a four-way intersection after a complete stop, the vehicle was T-boned on the front passenger’s side by another vehicle that had ran the stop sign. The passenger’s side air bags deployed as expected, and the driver’s side air bag also deployed, causing a fractured right humerus. The contact required emergency surgery. The contact was pregnant at the time and remained hospitalized for two days. The doctors established a post-surgical recovery plan. The contact’s minor child, who was seated in a car seat on the rear passenger’s side, was not hurt. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The insurance company had not yet determined if the vehicle was a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure and directed the contact to an online crash test video suggesting that the front driver’s side air bag should not have deployed in the crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,200.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11760318August 28, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Beginning sometime after purchase, our 2024 Kia EV9 (VIN: [XXX]) developed a recurring failure of the multimedia display system (head unit). The screen goes completely dark after approximately 5 minutes of drive time and only restores after a full vehicle restart. This failure occurred approximately 10 to 14 times before we brought the vehicle in for service. Critically, when the multimedia screen goes dark, the rearview camera display is also rendered completely unavailable. As the rearview camera is federally mandated safety equipment under FMVSS 111, this failure left us unable to use the camera while backing up on multiple occasions, creating a serious safety hazard to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles behind our car. The vehicle was dropped off at Grand Kia (Wheat Ridge, CO) on XXX for diagnosis. The service technician disassembled and reassembled the head unit and contacted Kia Techline for an action plan. We were told a replacement part was on order. As of the date of this complaint, the vehicle has been out of service for over six weeks with no confirmed repair timeline and minimal communication from the dealer or Kia America. This is our second significant warranty-related repair issue with this vehicle. We are filing this complaint to create a federal record of a safety defect involving the loss of federally mandated rearview camera functionality, and to request that NHTSA investigate whether this failure pattern exists across other 2024 Kia EV9 vehicles. Requested Action: Investigation of potential safety defect involving multimedia/head unit failure causing loss of rearview camera in 2024 Kia EV9 vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760406August 28, 2026
WHEELS
I am reporting a total of 6 failed lug bolts on the rear tires of a 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line within 1 year of ownership. This vehicle was purchased in Aug 2025 as a new vehicle from a Kia dealership. In March 2026, vehicle was brought for it's 8000 miles service at a Kia dealership. At the time the vehicle had 9336 miles. During tire rotation, service technicians found passenger rear wheel to have a broken lug stud. From the service records, "No evidence of outside influence." This was replaced with new. Prior to this, the passenger rear tire was never serviced. On 8/7/2026, a bystander informed myself of an abnormal sound coming from my driver rear tire. The wheel center cap was removed and 3 broken lug bolts were found. The broken lug bolts were sheared off at the base of the lug nut. This tire was being held on by 2 of 5 lug bolts, representing a significant safety concern. With 2 of 5 bolts, the remaining 2 bolts are under significant stress and can break at any time potentially causing the tire to fall off of the vehicle causing loss of control, potential accident and injury or loss of life. With the discovery of the broken 3 bolts, the car was taken to a kia dealership for repair. During this service it was also noted that on the same wheel (driver rear) one of the 2 screws that hold on the rotor was broken off as well. For completeness, this tire had been serviced once before at Les Schwab tire, on 9/17/25 (1733 miles on odometer) due to a piece of metal in the tire. All lug nuts torqued to factory recommendations. On 8/27/26, the car was taken to Les Schwab for a tire rotation and balancing (18,627 miles). When the technician began removing the lug nuts from the passenger rear tire, two of the bolts broke. The car is driven only on paved roads at street and highway speeds. No accidents or damage to the car that could explain shearing of lug bolts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758624August 21, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while attempting to release the rear seat belt to install a child safety seat, a significant amount of effort was required. The contact stated that after struggling with the seat belts over several months of use, the seat belt became fully jammed and no longer was able to be extended. The dealer was notified of the failure on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757172August 15, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car was being parked in a shopping lot. As the drive was pulling into the parking spot, the car lurched forward on its own and hit the wall. The gas pedal was not pressed. No collision sensors were triggered either. Unclear if related but the car was taken in for maintenance and recall updates the week prior to this accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755146August 5, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
When I started the car up, I noticed a little bit of chattering on the brake pedal, which seemed very unusual. I drove the car forward a little bit and then all of a sudden, all these lights displays and stop vehicle and check brake system now message showed up. The car was very sluggish to drive and had almost no brake pressure. I was able to drive it out of the parking lot (slowly and carefully). When I called a tow truck, I left the vehicle off for about 20 or 30 minutes, and then when I turned it back on, everything was fine no error messages and I had plenty of brake pressure. Post dealership update: They confirmed the issue and DTC code. Found that it was a ground wire that had a 3 ohm resistance (something about a “plastic coating” was mentioned in the paperwork!). They replaced the cable via SC360, and I’ve put about 800 miles on it since then with no issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754793August 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The infotainment screen, including backup camera views, randomly glitches and then goes completely dark with no ability to view anything on the screen. The screen has been reset and software reloaded, but the glitch continues. Next, the screen was replaced but the glitch continues. This has been occurring since the beginning of June 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753347July 28, 2026
WHEELS
The OEM Hankook iON tires (285/45R21) on my 2026 Kia EV9 GT Line experienced acoustic foam delamination — the sound-dampening foam bonded to the interior liner of the tire separated and is moving freely inside the tire at highway speeds. At speeds above 55mph the steering wheel and car start to vibrate. At 70mph the vehicle becomes undrivable and feels as though the wheels may detach. This creates a serious and immediate safety risk to myself. I have largely avoided highway driving since the onset of this issue due to safety concerns. The problem was confirmed by the Kia dealership service advisor who performed a road force balance on June 15, 2026 — the technician confirmed the front two tires were off balance and needed replacement (but didn't save the report, their mistake). The road force balance did not resolve the issue. The service advisor also verbally confirmed that multiple other EV9 customers at the same dealership are experiencing the identical issue with no resolution, and that one customer has been waiting over three months while driving a loaner vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership on June 12 and June 15, 2026. Kia Consumer Affairs was contacted and a case was opened on June 22, 2026 (Case #26202152). The assigned case manager never contacted me despite three follow up calls over three weeks. Kia Consumer Affairs ultimately directed me to contact Hankook — however Hankook's own published warranty process requires claims to be filed through authorized dealers, not consumers. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to onset. The vibration appeared suddenly at approximately 7,400 miles. The vehicle drove normally for several months prior to this onset with no vibration at any speed. The sudden onset after months of normal operation confirms this is a defect, not a vehicle characteristic. The issue has persisted since first appearing. *Video documentation of the vibration at highway speed is available upon request*
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752849July 25, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING
Beginning at approximately 104 miles (shortly after delivery at 75 miles), this vehicle exhibits a persistent vibration felt through the steering wheel, seat, and floorboard at highway speeds — specifically beginning around 55 mph, again at 61–63 mph, and most noticeably between 68–74 mph. A second defect involves rear-end instability where the rear of the vehicle feels loose and sways side to side over bumps and at higher speeds. Five repair attempts across two authorized Kia dealerships have failed to resolve either concern. A Kia Field Technical Specialist attributed the vibration in writing to the vehicle’s design (center console and floor-mounted captain seats). An independent inspector arranged by BBB Auto Line confirmed both defects on July 2, 2026. This appears to be a platform-level issue affecting multiple 2026 EV9 vehicles based on owner reports.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750444July 14, 2026
STEERING, WHEELS
Since taking delivery on June 20, 2025, this vehicle has exhibited a vibration at highway speeds, most severe at approximately 72 mph. The steering wheel visibly shakes and the vibration is felt through the steering column. It is fatiguing over long drives and I have become unwilling to use the vehicle for family highway travel. I reported it to the selling dealer within days of delivery. Authorized Kia dealers have attempted repair four times over thirteen months, including tire replacement, multiple road force balances, and alignments. The dealer has now tested the vehicle with the original factory wheels and tires, an aftermarket set, and a known-good set of wheels and tires from another EV9, and confirmed in writing that the vibration is still present in all three configurations. The dealer has additionally found excessive road force on the original factory tires on two separate occasions. The dealer has advised me that Kia may consider this a normal characteristic of the model and that no further repair is expected. No crash or injury has occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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