2025 Kia Ev9 Safety Report
2025 KIA EV9 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2025 Kia Ev9
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2025 Kia Ev9. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (10) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Kia Ev9 with 196 complaints and 6 recalls. |
Kia Ev9 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Ev9 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Ev9 | 196 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2025 Kia Ev9 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2025 Kia Ev9, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Kia onlyWheels
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Wheels issues Kia onlySeats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seats issues Kia onlyTires
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlySteering,Suspension,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Suspension,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2025 Kia Ev9
Reliability Score
The 2025 Kia Ev9 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2025 Kia Ev9
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2025 Kia Ev9
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2025 Kia Ev9:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Gear Drive Unit (Gdu) Motor The rear GDU motor in certain 2025 EV9 vehicles may fail, leading to propulsion system issues. Kia is recalling these vehicles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Second- And Third-Row Seat Fasteners Critical fasteners in the second- and third-row seats have been recalled due to potential seat instability, posing a safety risk. |
High | Rare | 0-12k miles |
| Instrument Cluster And Panel Software Error Due to a software error, the instrument cluster and panel may malfunction, affecting the driver's ability to read important vehicle information. |
Medium | Rare | 0-12k miles |
| Wheel Studs And Attachment System The wheel studs and attachment system have been recalled due to potential wheel detachment, posing a safety risk. |
Medium | Rare | 16k-24k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2025 Kia Ev9:
Issues with the instrument cluster and panel have been reported, affecting the driver's ability to read important vehicle information.
Seat fasteners have been recalled due to potential seat instability, posing a safety risk.
Tire vibrations and wiper location issues have been reported, affecting vehicle performance and safety.
Steering and suspension issues have been reported, affecting vehicle handling and safety.
Recall Details for the 2025 Kia Ev9
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Kia Ev9 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2025 Kia Ev9
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2025 Kia Ev9 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Seats allow drivers to save seating positions for different drivers. Seats automatically return to the last used saved position when the vehicle is turned on. This seat movement cannot be stopped or overridden without finding and activating the seat position controls on the left side of the seat base. If the driver does not find these controls in time, they can become crushed against the steering ...
These Hankook iON Evo tires started vibrating wildly at the first service that I took the car to for a rotation. We took it back to the dealership (Ourisman Kia in Fairfax VA) three times where they kept the car for several days to diagnose. After opening the tires up, they state that the inner sound insulating foam on all four tires has separated. The tires were at 7/32 and now 5/32 and the car ...
This car is unusual because the wipers are located in a crevice far below the top of the hood where it meets the windshield. The first time we had an issue, it had snowed and snow collected in the crevice area. The wipers were turned on, but the drivers side one didn't move in sync with the passenger side one. They eventually "tangled" and we stopped them. The car was taken for service and supp...
Component: Electrical System / Instrument Panel Speed at time of failure: [Insert typical speed, e.g., 65 mph] Description of Incident: My vehicle is suffering from an intermittent but total loss of the instrument cluster functionality while in motion. The display goes dark and is replaced by a "No Signal" message. This results in the immediate loss of all critical safety information, including ...
Vehicle consistently vibrates at highway speeds, feels like a driveline vibration, wheel, tire or suspension issue. Almost feels like a tire is wobbling.
Vehicle Information: 2025 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~16,000 miles Component/Part Affected: Wheel studs / Wheel attachment system Summary: Multiple wheel studs (3 on one wheel, 2 on another) were found stripped/damaged on my [XXX] Kia EV9, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is a critical safety issue, as wheels cannot be properly secured and could detach while driving. Deta...
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 after service, the power steering failed again. This is a recurring safety defect that poses a serious...
We just left the dealership in our new 2026 Kia EV 9 with 14 miles on it and as we were driving home the passenger windshield wiper started to make a loud banging sound when it would return to it ‘a starting position. We turned the wipers off and then turned them back on just to have the passenger one go half way a few times and then stopped working altogether. We live in Vero Beach Florida and th...
The Kia EV9 Wind I bought several days ago worked fine for a couple of days with a slight vibration, but yesterday I experienced 3 incidents. 1. As I was coming to a full stop at a stop sign, there was a mild grinding noise from the rear of the vehicle. 2. I continued for 100 yards and came to a stop light and the car made a louder grinding sound of gears grinding as I was coming to a full brakin...
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 torque settings. Turns out this is a known issue among a few customers per this Reddit thread: [X...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2025 Kia Ev9
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Opened 2025-04-29 · Closed 2026-03-11
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’ ...
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2025 Kia Ev9
TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 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. The affected vehicles may experience discharge of the auxiliary (12-volt) battery...
TECHNICAL SERVCE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: SUNROOF LOGIC IMPROVEMENT & SUNROOF/REAR ROLLER BLIND INITIALIZATION (SA615) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides in...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: SBW GEAR SELECTION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA626) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the ‘E-SHIFTER’ system software on certain 2024-2025MY EV9 (MV1) vehicles produced from May 3, 2023, through January 6, 2025, which may exhibit an intermittent in...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE COVER SCREW REPLACEMENT (SA627) - This bulletin provides instructions to replace the outside door handle cover screws on certain 2025MY EV9 (MVa) vehicles, produced from May 30, 2024 through November 19, 2024, which may result in rust o...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: FRONT MOTOR AND REDUCTION GEAR (GDU) ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SA622) - This bulletin provides information to replace the Front Motor Reduction Gear Assembly (GDU) on certain 2025MY EV9 (MV1a) vehicles produced from November 25, 2024 through December 06, 2025 ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BSA REPLACEMENT GUIDANCE - This bulletin provides information regarding replacement Battery System Assemblies (BSA) for 2025MY EV9 (MV1a) vehicles produced from May 17, 2024, through December 20, 2024. As production of the 2025 model year EV9 (MV1a) has concluded, the EV9...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CONSOLE ARMREST LOWER COVER AND BUMPER REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to replace the console armrest lower cover and bumpers on some 2024-2025MY EV9 (MV1) vehicles produced from July 27, 2023 through April 26, 2024. The affected vehicles may exhibit cons...
RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SHIFTER CONTROL UNIT (SCU) (SA594) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to improve the gear shift logic in the Shifter Control Unit (SCU) of certain 2024 and 2025 EV9 vehicles.
OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR V2X ENHANCEMENT - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Vehicle Charging Management System (VCMS), Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), Rear Motor Control Unit (R_MCU), and Battery Management Unit (BMU) logic of certain 2024 and 2025 EV9 vehicles....
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VEHICLE-TO-EVERYTHING (V2X) SOFTWARE UPGRADE - This bulletin provides information to install the Vehicle-to-Everything ‘V2X’ function enhancements by upgrading the software of the Vehicle Charging Management System ‘VCMS’, Rear Motor Control Unit ‘R_MCU’, Vehicle Control ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: SUNROOF LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND SUNROOF/REAR ROLLER BLIND INITIALIZATION (SA615) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Roof Control Module ‘RCM’ system software on certain 2025MY EV9 (MV1a) vehicles produced from May 16, 2024 through March 17, ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTON: CCU OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA608) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Central Communication Unit ‘CCU’ system software on certain 2025MY EV9 (MV1, MV1a) vehicles produced from May 16, 2024 through December 09, 2024. The affected vehicl...
OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR CENTRAL COMMUNICATION UNIT (SA608) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Central Communication Unit (CCU) logic of certain 2024 and 2025 EV9 vehicles. This update is designed to help reduce auxiliary battery power consum...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: REAR MOTOR CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE UPGRADE (SA601) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the re...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT ACTIVATION FAILURE (SA600) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’...
OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR CHARGING COMPATIBILITY (SA601) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the vehicle charging compatibility with NACS Connector DC Fast Chargers to reduce the probability of shutdowns while charging.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function and perform a ‘Reset Network’ on certain 2025MY Multiple Model vehicles listed on page 7 equipped with a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) head unit to address customer concerns related to activ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT ACTIVATION FAILURE (SA600) - This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function and perform a ‘Reset Network’ on certain 2025MY Multiple Model vehicles listed on page 7 equipped with a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT CONTROL UNIT LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA594) - This bulletin provides the software upgrade procedure for certain 2024-2025MY EV9 (MV1) vehicles produced from September 25, 2023 through September 4, 2024. The affected vehicles may experience the inability t...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 Kia Ev9
Has the 2025 KIA EV9 been recalled?
Yes, the 2025 KIA EV9 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2025 KIA EV9 have?
The 2025 KIA EV9 has 10 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2025 KIA EV9?
The 2025 KIA EV9 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 KIA EV9?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2025 KIA EV9 involve visibility/wiper (2 complaints), wheels (2 complaints), seats (1 complaints). Other affected components include tires, electrical system,unknown or other, steering,suspension,fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2025 KIA EV9 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2025 KIA EV9 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2025 KIA EV9 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2025 KIA EV9 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2025 KIA EV9?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 KIA EV9.
How many injuries are reported for the 2025 KIA EV9?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 KIA EV9.
Should I buy a 2025 KIA EV9?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2025 KIA EV9 is generally recommended. It has 10 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2025 KIA EV9?
The components with the most failures on the 2025 KIA EV9 are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints), 2. WHEELS (2 complaints), 3. SEATS (1 complaints), 4. TIRES (1 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2025 KIA EV9?
Be cautious of potential electrical system, seat fastener, wheel, and steering issues. Regular maintenance and recalls are crucial. The 2025 KIA EV9 has 10 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2025 KIA EV9?
The 2025 KIA EV9 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 10 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Rear Gear Drive Unit (GDU) Motor and Second- and Third-Row Seat Fasteners.
What are the known issues with the 2025 KIA EV9?
Known issues with the 2025 KIA EV9 include: Rear Gear Drive Unit (GDU) Motor, Second- and Third-Row Seat Fasteners, Instrument Cluster and Panel Software Error, Wheel Studs and Attachment System. These are based on patterns found across 10 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2025 KIA EV9?
Yes, recalls have been issued for the rear GDU motor, seat fasteners, instrument cluster, and wheel studs.
What are the common issues with the 2025 KIA EV9?
Common issues include electrical system problems, seat instability, tire vibrations, and steering and suspension issues.
How can I prevent tire vibrations in my 2025 KIA EV9?
Ensure proper tire balance and alignment, and check for any loose or damaged wheel components.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential electrical system, seat fastener, wheel, and steering issues. Regular maintenance and recalls are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2025 Kia Ev9
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2025 Kia Ev9. The data includes 10 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2025 Kia Ev9 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16