What are the most common Kia EV9 problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Kia EV9 has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Missing Second- and Third-Row Seat Mounting Bolts (Recall SC329), Rear Gear Drive Unit Motor Shaft Weld Failure Causing Loss of Drive Power (Recall SC337), Level 2 AC Charging Terminates Early or Will Not Start While DC Fast Charging Still Works. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Kia EV9 reliable?
The 2025 Kia EV9 has 11 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Missing Second- and Third-Row Seat Mounting Bolts (Recall SC329) and Rear Gear Drive Unit Motor Shaft Weld Failure Causing Loss of Drive Power (Recall SC337) and Level 2 AC Charging Terminates Early or Will Not Start While DC Fast Charging Still Works. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Kia EV9 problems?
Repair costs for known Kia EV9 issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Missing Second- and Third-Row Seat Mounting Bolts (Recall SC329), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2024-2025 Kia EV9 Missing Second- and Third-Row Seat Mounting Bolts (Recall SC329)?
On EV9s built 9/25/2023 through 10/15/2024, one or more mounting bolts securing the second-row and/or third-row seat frames to the floor pan were never installed at the factory, or were installed without being torqued. Kia recalled 22,883 vehicles (NHTSA 24V-962). A seat that is… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2025 Kia EV9 Rear Gear Drive Unit Motor Shaft Weld Failure Causing Loss of Drive Power (Recall SC337)?
Dual-motor e-AWD EV9s built at Kia Georgia between 10/11/2024 and 12/19/2024 received rear gear drive units (GDU) whose motor shaft was improperly welded by the supplier. The weld can fail in service, damaging the shaft inside the rear GDU and cutting rear-axle torque. Kia recall… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2024-2025 Kia EV9 Level 2 AC Charging Terminates Early or Will Not Start While DC Fast Charging Still Works?
A recurring EV9 pattern distinct from the well-known 12V/drive-power failure story: the vehicle refuses to begin, or silently drops out of, an AC Level 2 session at home while DC fast charging on the same car remains completely normal. The EV9 has no separate onboard charger — th… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2024-2026 Kia EV9 Rear Alignment Out of Spec From the Factory Wearing Rear Tires Out Under 10,000 Miles?
A large number of EV9s — heavily concentrated in the 2024 launch year but still appearing on later builds — were delivered with rear toe and camber outside specification. Combined with roughly 5,900 lb curb weight, instant torque to the rear axle, and factory tires that start at… Repairs typically run $150-$1,600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2024-2026 Kia EV9 Charge Port Door Actuator Fails to Release or Freezes Shut in Winter?
The EV9's motorized charge port door is a recurring owner complaint in two distinct failure modes. Electrically, the release actuator does not wake with the vehicle — the door will not pop when pushed or when commanded from the fob or screen, and owners sometimes hear the motor r… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2024-2026 Kia EV9 12V Auxiliary Battery Repeatedly Drains Flat From Parasitic Module Wake - Vehicle Will Not Enter Ready Mode?
EV9 owners report the 12V auxiliary battery going flat repeatedly while the high-voltage pack is nearly full, leaving the vehicle completely dead - doors, screens and the start button unresponsive, and no way to enter Ready mode no matter how much range is showing. NHTSA has 6 lo… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2024-2025 Kia EV9 Steering Wheel and Center Console Vibration Above 60 mph From Factory Wheel/Tire Assembly Imbalance?
The most-reported non-recall driveability complaint from EV9 owners is a persistent vibration felt through the steering wheel, and often through the center console and floor, that appears above roughly 60-65 mph and holds steady on smooth, newly paved road surfaces. NHTSA has log… Repairs typically run $100-$1,800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2024-2026 Kia EV9 Highway Driving Assist 2 Lane Centering Oscillates Side-to-Side (Ping-Ponging) as Lane Following Assist Drops Out?
EV9 owners using Highway Driving Assist 2 report the vehicle wandering rhythmically from one lane edge to the other instead of tracking the lane center, a behaviour owners call ping-ponging. The pattern described is Lane Following Assist going dormant while the camera still sees… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2024-2025 Kia EV9 Power Liftgate Unlatches but Will Not Power-Open (Tailgate Drive Motor/Module Failure)?
Owners report the tailgate releasing its latch when the license-plate button, fob, or interior button is pressed, but the power struts never lift it — the gate pops an inch and stops, leaving it to be opened by hand. In some cases the gate also refuses to power-close or reverses… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: low.
What is the 2024-2026 Kia EV9 Software Update and Infotainment Issues?
As a new electric vehicle, the Kia EV9 has experienced typical first-generation software issues including infotainment freezes, occasional display glitches, OTA update failures, and EV charging session interruptions. The dual-screen display setup occasionally desynchronizes, and… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.
What is the 2024-2026 Kia EV9 Power Second-Row Seats Lose Stored Limit Position - One-Touch Third-Row Access and Cargo Fold Buttons Stop Working?
On EV9s equipped with power second-row seats and the one-touch easy-entry function, the seat control module loses its stored 'seat limit position' parameter. Once that happens the third-row easy-access button on the seat shoulder stops responding entirely, and the second-row fold… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: low.
