What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 Kia Ev9

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

NHTSA ODI 11744641

When making left turn or going over bumps, driver seat pops and feel shifted.

NHTSA ODI 11743840

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.

NHTSA ODI 11740767

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

NHTSA ODI 11740769

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.

NHTSA ODI 11740875

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.

NHTSA ODI 11740877

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.

NHTSA ODI 11734782

The front drivers seat slightly shifts during tight turns. There is a slight click in the lumbar towards the center of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11728258

BPM warning in the KIA app. Apparently, ICCU and battery failures are t known issues with the KIA EV9s.

NHTSA ODI 11722786

[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)

NHTSA ODI 11720691

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

NHTSA ODI 11716100

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.

NHTSA ODI 11713901

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

NHTSA ODI 11714058

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.

NHTSA ODI 11712169

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.

NHTSA ODI 11712208

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)

NHTSA ODI 11710718

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.

NHTSA ODI 11710078

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

NHTSA ODI 11707768

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.

NHTSA ODI 11707022

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.

NHTSA ODI 11706776

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.

NHTSA ODI 11701991

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)

NHTSA ODI 11695727

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.

NHTSA ODI 11694316

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.

NHTSA ODI 11693832

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.

NHTSA ODI 11693978