2026 Kia EV9

Kia does not notify EV9 owners about software updates or minor recalls via email, app, or other means; owners only learn about them during dealer visits. This leaves buyers unaware of important vehicl...

The Kia EV9 lacks a printed owner's manual and service book, forcing owners to rely solely on digital documentation which may be hard to access.

EV9 owners discover features like charger cable lock disable, remote climate control, dashcam, and garage integrations (MyQ, Connected Garage) are absent, not regionally available, or require swipes/m...

EV9 supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates in the US via Kia Connect subscription, though unavailable in regions like MA or EU, with no self-install USB option and some requiring dealer visits.

Kia's privacy policies for connected vehicles like the EV9 are vague and confusing, leaving owners unclear about data collection and sharing practices.

The speed limit warning system beeps when exceeding posted limits but reactivates automatically every time the car starts, requiring multiple menu presses or button sequences to disable again.

The driver assistance eye sensor detects when the driver looks away from the road and issues loud alerts or chimes, often after just 3 seconds, with no permanent disable option.

After front sensor removal (e.g., during service), the car emits beeps at every stop and turn, requiring a button press each time to silence.

The second-row seat belt alarm cannot be permanently disabled, even with a child seat installed, forcing manual intervention each drive.

Multiple driver assistance features like lane assist and fatigue warnings trigger excessive beeping and chimes that reset on every startup, with no permanent disable in some regions due to regulations...

The Kia Connect app frequently loses connection to the vehicle, preventing remote start, status checks, climate control, and other functions. Owners report pulling fuses or hard resets as workarounds,...

The phone-as-key (Digital Key) often fails to detect the phone for passive unlock/lock, requiring manual app use, restarts, or physical fobs. Issues persist across iOS and Android, with sensitivity pr...

Apple CarPlay often fails to connect after updates, auto-plays podcasts/media on startup, or has display glitches like Maps not switching to dark mode. Deleting/re-pairing provides temporary fixes.

Features like one-pedal driving, regen braking level, and other preferences default back to factory settings (e.g., regen to Lv3) each time the vehicle starts, requiring paddle shifters or menu adjust...

Capacitive touch buttons for media/climate and the center volume roller are unresponsive, slippery, or accidentally mute/power off when pressed. Owners prefer physical buttons for safer, quicker acces...

Over-the-air software updates fail with confusing messages like 'check USB device' despite no USB needed, blocking access to fixes and new features.

The Kia EV9's over-the-air (OTA) software updates are reported to cause sudden 12V battery drain, leading to dead batteries and requiring jumps or trickle charging. Owners note no issues prior to upda...

Owners report not receiving OTA updates for months or years, with the feature grayed out in the Kia Connect app despite dealer-applied updates. Some resolve via modem fuse reset, but many 2024 models ...

After installing V2X OTA update v25.6.1, the EV9 fails to charge, potentially bricking the battery management system (BMS) with error P1AA700, requiring full battery replacement per dealer diagnosis.

Incomplete or failed OTA updates cause driving errors like C28B186, initially mistaken for 12V issues, resolved only after successful satellite/GPS-based update completion.

Post-'V2X Enhancement' OTA update, Kia Connect app remote commands fail with 'OTA Update Task could not be performed' error, though battery status updates; multiple users report the issue.

OTA updates lead to excessive phantom drain on 12V battery and random top-off charges (e.g., 79% to 80%), linked to features like mobile key and wireless charger.

12V battery dies unexpectedly after Kia software update, despite prior reliability and precautions against parasitic drain.

Dealer 8k mile service applying multiple recalls triggers new software issues like speed limit warning glitches, not directly OTA but related to updates.

Kia Connect privacy policy collects sensitive personal information including racial/ethnic origin, health/medical conditions, sex/gender, precise geolocation, despite not collecting genetic data, sex ...

Kia sells collected personal and vehicle data to third parties, including potentially to insurers based on driving behavior, leading to rate hikes without clear opt-in. This raises concerns for EV9 bu...

Kia Connect collects precise vehicle operation data like speed, braking, seatbelt use, geolocation, and driver behavior, which is shared with third parties. EV9's connected features enable constant mo...

Disabling Kia Connect data collection requires calling a center to deactivate hardware; no self-service option exists, and free Lite package still collects data. Previous owners may retain access with...

Kia shares data with undisclosed third-party providers, affiliates, data brokers, wireless carriers like Verizon, emergency responders, and towing companies via Connected Services. My Car Zone feature...

EV9 owners report sudden in-car prompts to agree to updated privacy policies, often lengthy and requiring acceptance to use the vehicle. This forces quick agreement without reading, specific to Kia EV...

Prospective EV9 buyers express worries about data collection and sharing similar to GM's banned practices, citing court cases and journalism. Specific questions on what EV9 collects and shares with in...

The Kia EV9's remote control app allows owners to schedule charging remotely, but some experience unrequested 'phantom' charging sessions that stop at specific times like 8:41am/pm or 5:41am/pm, alway...

Kia EV9's remote control features, part of Kia Connect, allow locking/unlocking, starting/stopping, and viewing the 360 camera via app using the VIN, but security flaws enable hackers to remotely acce...

Kia Connect remote services permit Kia to remotely alter vehicle settings or configurations without owner consent, supposedly to optimize service use.

The EV9's infotainment screens, which control navigation, climate, and vehicle info, frequently glitch out, flicker, or become unresponsive. Owners report needing multiple reboots, especially after de...

Owners describe the EV9's software as becoming less stable over time despite updates, with increasing frequency of bugs and glitches across various systems.

The EV9's charging interface and Kia app falsely indicate the vehicle is charging when it is not actually drawing power.

The EV9's Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) throws errors, causing the entire vehicle to become unresponsive or 'dead,' often linked to 12V battery issues.

The Kia Connect app and OTA (over-the-air) update system fail to update vehicle status or complete software downloads, requiring dealer intervention.

Steering wheel buttons for mode, favorites, and toggles randomly stop responding, displaying a 'Feature Unavailable' warning on the infotainment screen.

The EV9's Remote Smart Parking Assist feature has a software defect that fails to apply brakes properly during low-speed maneuvers or frequent stops, risking collisions. Kia is recalling over 12,000 v...

Kia Connect is the app-based service for remote features like climate control, charging status, and vehicle location on the EV9. Owners complain that after the initial free period (typically 3 years),...

Kia Connect app allows adding/removing vehicles for remote control. Owners report that attempting to re-add the EV9 cancels the active subscription with no easy way to restore it.

Kia Access app provides remote lock/unlock and other controls, included free for 3 years on EV9. New owners find most features greyed out or showing 'not available,' requiring Kia support.

The EV9's built-in cellular modem enables Kia Connect app features and over-the-air updates. Owners report the modem going offline or failing, blocking all wireless functions like app control and weat...

Kia Connect app remote services are disabled in certain regions like Massachusetts due to legal disputes over right-to-repair laws, or fail when crossing borders such as US to Canada or Europe. This l...

Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) allows parking the EV9 via app without the driver inside. On higher trims like Land, it requires a paid software unlock or subscription via Kia Connect app.

Kia Connect app cuts off remote commands if the vehicle is idle too long (e.g., a week), showing messages like 'car idle too long to protect battery.' This prevents pre-heating or cooling, frustrating...