Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2025 Kia EV9 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.
28
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
5
NCAP overall · of 5 stars
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 18% | ▼ down |
| Driver Assistance | 3 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 3 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 3 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 3 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 2 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 2 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“Took my 4-month old Kia EV9 to a tire shop b/c I heard a rattling on the right side at low speed. Turns out both of the locking lug nuts had popped out of the front and rear hubs on the right side. Seems like someone at the port install facility in West Point Georgia didn't use the correct tools or…”
“Within six months of purchase, the power steering on my 2025 Kia EV9 failed while I was driving, creating a sudden and dangerous loss of steering control. I brought the vehicle to the Kia dealership for repair, but it was returned to me without the problem being resolved. On the very first drive…”
“There is an "i-pedal" feature that sets regen braking to bring the vehicle to a complete stop when letting off the accelerator pedal. In this mode, the vehicle only moves when pressing down on the pedal, and it stops when the pedal is released. When shifting the vehicle into reverse, "i-pedal" is…”
“We had a snow the last couple of days and when it mostly cleared up we went out to the grocery store. We had done on best to clear of the car of snow. While driving the windshield wipers were working fine until a small chuck of snow came down from the roof of the car. The wipers immediate started…”
“Vehicle was delivered with an active safety recall on it. The safety recall is second and third row seat mounting bolts may be missing. Recall was announced December 2024 and car was purchased/delivered on March 20th 2025”
The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (5 complaints), steering (3 complaints), driver assistance (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 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 2025 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.