Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 341 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 12.2 times the median EV9 year — the 2024 model ranks #1 of 3 EV9 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 104 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.
341
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
1
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
5
NCAP overall · of 5 stars
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 104 | 30% | new |
| Driver Assistance | 57 | 17% | new |
| Other | 40 | 12% | new |
| Suspension | 21 | 6% | new |
| Speed Control | 17 | 5% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 16 | 5% | new |
| Steering | 14 | 4% | new |
| Seats | 11 | 3% | new |
| Fuel System | 10 | 3% | new |
| Transmission | 9 | 3% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 9 | 3% | new |
| Body & Structure | 8 | 2% | new |
| Brakes | 8 | 2% | new |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 2% | new |
| Lighting | 6 | 2% | new |
| Engine | 4 | 1% | new |
| Airbags | 1 | 0% | new |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 EV9 vehicles. The second- and third-row seat mounting bolts may be missing.
Consequence
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.
Defect
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."
Consequence
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.
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 EV9 vehicles. A software error may cause the remote smart parking assist feature, which allows the operator to remotely move the vehicle, to miscalculate stopping distances.
Consequence
A remote smart parking assist feature that miscalculates stopping distances may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the integrated electronic brake software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 4, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC324.
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 EV9 vehicles. The headliner may not adequately protect passengers from impact in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection In Interior Impact."
Consequence
A headliner with inadequate impact protection increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the impact absorbing plates mounted on the headliner, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC317.
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 EV9 vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor cover may not be secured properly, which can cause the front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) and emergency locking retractor (ELR) to not operate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence
A seat belt retractor that does not operate as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC312.
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Niro EV and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The differential gear bolts in the gear drive unit may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of drive power or cause the differential to lock up.
Consequence
A loss of drive power or differential lock up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the gear drive unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC308.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“The vehicle has a 12v battery that runs accessory systems that is charged by the main battery. The vehicle has an issue where the main battery does not charge the 12v. Nothing on the vehicle will function and you can not enter the vehicle. You can also not charge the vehicle. This is a known issue…”
“Active lane keeping function feature disengages without audible warning leading to multiple near collisions. Happens without warning or any particular trigger. Was brought to the kia specialist attention and he did not seem surprised or concerned. Happens almost every time this feature is utilized…”
“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…”
“The contact owned a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed rear inverter. The contact was informed that the rear…”
“Cluster behind the steering wheel was blank, has happen twice within the last 30 days. This is an issue since I had no speedometer and had to use WAZE to guess how fast I was going. It resolved itself after turning off the EV9 for about 45 - 60 mins. First time it happen on Sept 27, 2024, and then…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 341 complaints put the 2024 model at #1 of 3 EV9 years. It is one of the EV9 years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (104 complaints), driver assistance (57 complaints), other (40 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2024 Kia EV9. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the EV9 years to avoid are 2024. The cleanest record among EV9 years belongs to 2026.
In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2024 Kia EV9 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.