Verdict
2025 Kia EV9: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2025 Kia EV9 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 70% of 2025 SUVs. Power Train leads the reports (18%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2025 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
11
Reports to NHTSA, 2025
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
85.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 70% of 2025 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2025 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (18% of 11 reports), followed by steering (18%).
Share of all 11 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11729945, ODI 11684001.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical SystemOct 2024 · 24V757000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Seats · 24V962000Details +Close −
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 EV9 vehicles. The second- and third-row seat mounting bolts may be missing.
Risk: Seats without mounting bolts may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System · 25V115000Details +Close −
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 EV9 vehicles. The rear gear drive unit (GDU) motor shaft may have been improperly welded and become damaged, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear GDU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC337.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
On April 29, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE25004) to investigate inoperative windshield wipers in model year (MY) 2024-2025 Kia EV9 vehicles. The complaints report windshield wipers that malfunction while driving, when snow and/or ice accumulates on or at the bottom of the windshield or in the cowl. ODI further received videos and photographs that depict relatively small amounts of snow and/or ice accumulation that leads to the wipers’ malfunction. Inoperative windshield wipers could reduce driver visibility during inclement weather and increase the risk of a crash. ODI identified 7 Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQs) related to this investigation. Five VOQs describe inoperative windshield wipers due to snow and/or ice accumulation. Two other VOQs describe other malfunctioning windshield wipers including snow build-up on the blades and an odor of overheating. The wipers are equipped with thermal overload protection designed to limit overheating of the wiper motor. Further, consumers describe windshield wipers that temporarily stop working when they are not able to clear the windshield. This may happen when the wipers stop before the parked position in the cowl at the bottom of the windshield. In January 2026, Kia informed ODI that it will conduct a Product Improvement Campaign with owner notification for approximately 47,000 MY 2024-2026EV9 vehicles.The campaign includes a hardware change to the passenger-side wiper arm and an Owner’s Manual revision. The replacement wiper arm will be a different shape and angle that increase the space/clearance between the cowl and the wiper. The Owner’s Manual revision will emphasize the importance of snow removal prior to driving, and it will recommend that drivers place the wipers in service mode when the vehicle is parked outdoors, and snow is forecasted. In addition, Kia is planning to develop pop-up cluster warnings that will be temperature-dependent, and they will remind owners to clear snow/ice pre-drive and to place the wipers in service mode post-drive. In view of Kia’s field action, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. ODI will take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Crash-test ratings
2025 Kia EV9 SUV RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2025 Kia EV9 SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV9 Long Range RWD | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 100 | 78 | 89 |
| EV9 Standard Range RWD | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 99 | 77 | 88 |
| EV9 Long Range AWD | — | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 91 | 75 | 83 |
| EV9 Long Range AWD GT-Line | — | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 88 | 72 | 80 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2025 Kia EV9: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2025 Kia EV9?
Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the 2025 Kia EV9 — fewer complaints than 70% of comparable 2025 SUVs, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2025 Kia EV9?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (18% of complaints) and steering (18%).
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia EV9 have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2025 Kia EV9, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Kia EV9 get?
The EPA rates the 2025 Kia EV9 between 80 and 89 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.