Kia EV9 Complaints

245 consumer complaints on file.

#11711520January 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Instrument panel goes Black while driving. Keeps flickering on and off while driving. Took it to a dealer and they denied the flicker, even though I have 15 videos of it. Dealer just gave us the car back without fixing the issue and told us to live with it. This is extremely unsafe as we go up to a minute without seeing anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711065January 15, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle consistently vibrates at highway speeds, feels like a driveline vibration, wheel, tire or suspension issue. Almost feels like a tire is wobbling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710978January 14, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2026 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while driving at 68 MPH, the sunroof made an abnormally loud banging sound. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, inspected the sunroof, and became aware that the sunroof was cracking. The contact closed the shade guard to prevent shattered glass from falling inside the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the destination. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer the same day. The dealer confirmed that the sunroof had internally failed, and the dealer was waiting for the warranty department to approve the sunroof replacement. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710718January 13, 2026
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
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),
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710078January 10, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709899January 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a Kia 2026 EV9. We charged the car to 80% (we have reduced the limit to only 80%). The next morning there was no power to the car. The interior lights would not come on door handles would not work. I could not start the vehicle. I read on line of the 12v battery dying and ICCU failures. I charged the battery for 1.5 hours and was able to get the car to start. I immediately drove it to the Kia dealership on 01/05/2026. The service department stated they could charge the battery but had to further diagnose the problem. On 01/08/2026 the service department stated that the tech was "tinkering" on the car and would reload software updates and patches. On 01/09/2026 the service department informed me that the technician still does not know what is wrong with the car and the tech is off again today.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707768December 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707022December 25, 2025
STEERING, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706776December 23, 2025
SEAT BELTS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701991November 29, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695727October 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694316October 18, 2025
SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693978October 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The DC charger plug won’t release after charge was completed. Waiting 3.5 for the tech to forcefully unplug and broke the charger pins. This is a known issue with Kia vehicles and costly repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693832October 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693716October 15, 2025
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690450September 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689557September 24, 2025
SEAT BELTS
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#11688930September 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Management System - Critical EV Battery Warning This vehicle has been back to the dealership for repairs multiple times. Including needing to swap battery cells and wires around.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685863September 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684814September 3, 2025
WHEELS
Vehicle Information: 2025 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~16,000 miles Component/Part Affected: Wheel studs / Wheel attachment system Summary: Multiple wheel studs (3 on one wheel, 2 on another) were found stripped/damaged on my [XXX] Kia EV9, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is a critical safety issue, as wheels cannot be properly secured and could detach while driving. Details: •The vehicle has been serviced exclusively at Kia dealerships (Winn Kia Fremont and Putnam Kia Burlingame, CA). •Putnam Kia Burlingame visits (7/31/25 and 8/29/25) involved seat motor repairs, multi-point inspections, and tire-pressure checks only. No wheel removal or rotation occurred there as per their confirmation. •Kia Fremont has performed all wheel/tire-related services and recently discovered the damage. •Photos show damage across two wheels (3 studs stripped on one, 2 on another). This suggests a consistent pattern of improper service (over-torquing or cross-threading), not isolated wear. Safety Concern: The vehicle is currently undriveable. Multiple compromised studs across two wheels increase the likelihood of wheel detachment while driving — posing a severe hazard to me, my family, and other motorists. Manufacturer Response So Far: •Kia Fremont has ordered replacement studs but says parts will take ~7 days. •I am seeking Kia’s confirmation that all repairs and a rental vehicle will be covered under warranty. 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

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