Kia EV9 Long Range RWD Mk1

The E-GMP platform's ICCU handles AC charging and DC-DC conversion for the 12V system. A MOSFET inside the unit can fail under excessive electrical load, particularly during AC charging in hot conditions. When it fails, AC (Level 2) charging stops working entirely, though DC fast charging remains unaffected. The EV9 is not formally listed in the ICCU extended warranty program (which covers pre-June 2024 EV6 models), but most EV9 repairs are handled under the standard 7-year warranty. Out of warranty, the ICCU part costs around €1,500-2,000, plus €500-1,000 labor. Kia has issued software updates to limit thermal spikes during AC charging, which reduces but does not fully eliminate the risk.

A small number of EV9 owners have reported dramatic range drops caused by dead modules within the 99.8 kWh pack (which contains 38 individual modules). One owner saw available capacity drop from 99.8 kWh to 71 kWh. When this occurs, the car may display normal charge percentage but deliver drastically reduced range. Replacement packs have been difficult to source, with some owners waiting 5-10 weeks for parts. Under warranty (7 years / 150,000 km in Europe, covering capacity above 70%), Kia covers the repair. Out of warranty, a full pack replacement could cost €12,000-15,000 including labor. Module-level repair, where available, is significantly cheaper. This remains a rare issue, but the consequences are severe when it occurs.

A widely reported issue across E-GMP vehicles. The EV9 keeps systems like UWB key scanning and Kia Connect telematics active while parked, drawing down the 12V battery. A forum poll suggested roughly one-third of EV9 owners have experienced 12V battery issues. The high-voltage battery has a built-in limit on how many times it will recharge the 12V system between drives. Symptoms include the car refusing to unlock, dashboard warnings, or complete shutdown. Disabling proximity access and UWB digital keys helps, as does keeping the car plugged in when parked for extended periods. Some owners have replaced the stock AGM battery with a LiFePO4 alternative (around €200-300) for better resilience.

A software logic error can cause the instrument cluster to fail to initialize at startup, leaving the driver without speedometer, range indicator, or warning displays. Kia recalled approximately 14,163 vehicles (recall SC326) and released a software update, available either over-the-air or at a dealer. For most owners this is resolved with the free update. In rare cases, the instrument cluster hardware needs replacement (around €400-500 for the unit). DIY workarounds include waiting 30-60 minutes for the system to reset, or using the hard reset pinhole button near the volume knob.

Some 2024 and early 2025 EV9s experience intermittent AC charging failures where the car stops accepting charge at certain state-of-charge levels (typically between 40-80%), or fails to start an AC session entirely after an OTA update. DC fast charging continues to work normally. The root cause often traces back to ICCU software or cooling pump logic that does not activate when it should. Kia has released TSBs and software patches, and in some cases the ICCU hardware needs replacement. Most cases are resolved under warranty. The risk diminishes on cars that have received all available software updates.

NHTSA investigated reports of wipers becoming inoperative when small amounts of snow or ice accumulate at the base of the windshield. Some owners also reported shuddering noises and burning smells from the wiper mechanism. Kia responded with a campaign covering approximately 47,000 2024-2026 EV9s, replacing the wiper arms with a redesigned shape that provides more clearance. The repair is performed free of charge under the campaign. For cars outside the campaign or where additional components are damaged, replacement wiper motors cost €200-400 plus labor.

Several owners report vibration in the center console and armrest area, particularly between 100-125 km/h, caused by resonance from the HVAC blower motor. Additionally, some owners notice the driver's seat shifting slightly under hard braking or cornering. Separately, tire foam (installed inside the tires for noise reduction) can cause highway vibrations. Dealer fixes have included tightening seat brackets, replacing console clips, and in some cases, tire replacement. The seat bolt recall (22,883 vehicles, September 2023 to October 2024 production) addressed missing second and third-row mounting bolts, which is a separate and more serious safety concern.