2026 Kia EV9: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 22 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 27.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Steering: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Wheels: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 |
2026: 22
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11709899 · 2026-01-09 (January 9, 2026)
I own a Kia 2026 EV9. We charged the car to 80% (we have reduced the limit to only 80%). The next morning there was no power to the car. The interior lights would not come on door handles would not work. I could not start the vehicle. I read on line of the 12v battery dying and ICCU failures. I charged the battery for 1.5 hours and was able to get the car to start. I immediately drove it to the Kia dealership on 01/05/2026. The service department stated they could charge the battery but had to further diagnose the problem. On 01/08/202…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11709899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11710978 · 2026-01-14 (January 14, 2026)
The contact owns a 2026 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while driving at 68 MPH, the sunroof made an abnormally loud banging sound. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, inspected the sunroof, and became aware that the sunroof was cracking. The contact closed the shade guard to prevent shattered glass from falling inside the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the destination. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer the same day. The dealer confirmed that the sunroof had internally failed, and the dealer was waiting for the warranty…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11710978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711520 · 2026-01-16 (January 16, 2026)
Instrument panel goes Black while driving. Keeps flickering on and off while driving. Took it to a dealer and they denied the flicker, even though I have 15 videos of it. Dealer just gave us the car back without fixing the issue and told us to live with it. This is extremely unsafe as we go up to a minute without seeing anything.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711872 · 2026-01-19 (January 19, 2026)
EV car won't charge.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11716099 · 2026-02-06 (February 6, 2026)
vehicle would not accelerate pass 25 mph, battery light came on, stop vehicle and check power supply message also came on. had to towed to dealer. KIA app showing ICCU code P1A9096
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11716099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11718984 · 2026-02-19 (February 19, 2026)
Vehicle would not accept a charge requiring it be towed 120 miles to nearest Kia dealer. Vehicle had no warning lights or messages, just would not accept a recharge of the drive battery. Dealer found 3 error messages in the ICCU, but no idea why it occurred. Messages removed and vehicle then accepted a charge.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11718984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11721195 · 2026-02-28 (February 28, 2026)
Car was driving find and suddenly check electric system message came in with a red battery indicator. The application for the car indicates an ICCU P1A9096 error code. ICCU errors seems to be common with Kia/Hyundai electric cars. Car went to limp mode and wouldn’t let drive it more than 45mph which it was dangerous in the highway. I was able to get the car into the dealer but the last mile the car was very limited in power with no more than 30mph. Radio, A/C and other accessories stop working
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11722812 · 2026-03-08 (March 8, 2026)
ICCU failure with 12v battery drainage resulting in inability to drive car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11722812 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
26V046000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Reported: 2026-01-26 (January 26, 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."
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V545000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-08-21 (August 21, 2026)
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."
Consequence: A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗