First generation (MV) · first-year watch
2026 Kia EV9, day 266
- 26complaints since Jan 9, 2026
- 2recalls
- 2involved a crash
- 7,400median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Changed since August
- 4 new complaints in September, mostly about electrical, seats and structure.
- Nothing filed yet on sticky steering, transmission failure, engine failure or fire.
- 32nd most complaints of the 79 2026 models on this site.
What's been reported
NHTSA's own component codes. One report can cite several.
- Electrical12
- Other5
- Fuel and propulsion3
- Windshield and wipers3
- Speed control3
- Steering3
- Wheels3
- Structure2
Problems so far
- Battery dies or the car will not start 5 reports
Recent reports
“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.”
Filed Sep 27, 2026
“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.”
Filed Sep 25, 2026
“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.”
Filed Aug 15, 2026
“ICCU failure. Total and sudden loss of power. No acceleration. "Limp mode" activated for 5 miles before total shut down.”
Filed May 21, 2026
At a glance
- Next to the 2024
- The 2026 is too new for a fair per-year comparison. It has 26 complaints so far; the 2024, on sale longer, has 207.
- Top problem
- Dead battery is the one problem with a cluster of reports here: 5 of the 26 complaints (19%). Too few of the dead battery reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 3 of the 26 complaints (12%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 2 reports mention a crash and 2 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 2 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Every complaint so far came in during 2026.
Service bulletins for the 2026 Kia EV9
Kia filed 41 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2026 Kia EV9. 2 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Battery dies or the car will not start 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
SERVICE ACTION: INTEGRATED CHARGE CONTROLLER UNIT REPLACEMENT (SA639) This bulletin provides instructions for replacing the Integrated Charge Controller Unit (ICCU) on certain 2025 model year EV6 (CVa) and 2026 EV9 (MVa) vehicles produced between February 21, 2025, and September 18, 2025.
SERVICE ACTION: FPM OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA637) This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Finger Print Module (FPM) software on all 2024–2026MY EV9 (MV1, MV1a) vehicles.
Recalls
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2025-2026 EV9 vehicles. Due to improper routing, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may not deactivate the air bag when a child or child seat is in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube with a new one and ensure proper routing as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning October 20, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC379. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 4, 2026.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
All 2 recalls on the 2026 Kia EV9, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Seeing this on your own car? How to file a complaint with NHTSA
The log
Complaints by the month NHTSA received them, newest first. Blue bars mark a month with a recall or an investigation.
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2026 Kia EV9?
Dead battery, with 5 of the 26 complaints.
At what mileage do 2026 Kia EV9 problems start?
Of the 6 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 1,000 miles and half by about 7,000.
How many 2026 Kia EV9 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
3 of them (12%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for dead battery on the 2026 Kia EV9?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 26V-046. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.