Kia’s flagship EV9 has been facing a slew of issues, particularly related to its battery performance. One owner shared their experience of encountering problems with the 12-volt battery, which led to the car being rendered unusable. Despite being aware of the common 12V battery issues, they were unprepared for the subsequent charging issues that arose.
After noticing strange charging behavior, such as the car jumping from 82 percent to 100 percent instantaneously, the owner suspected a battery problem. Using an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) scanner, they discovered that the high-voltage battery was not performing as expected, with a significant decrease in usable capacity.
Upon reporting the issue to Kia, it was determined that the main high-voltage battery pack needed replacement. However, entering Kia’s battery repair program meant a wait time of up to nine months for a fix. This extended wait time has been a common frustration among EV9 owners in the UK, with some experiencing complete battery failures or drastically reduced range.
One owner described the situation as a “nightmare,” highlighting the lack of communication and prolonged wait times for repairs. Another owner shared their car had been off the road for five months with no resolution in sight, leading to additional costs and inconvenience.
The battery issues with Kia’s EV9 are part of a larger trend within the Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai and Kia brands. Both have been grappling with battery-related problems, including Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) failures across various models. This has prompted warranty extensions and increased scrutiny from consumers and experts alike.
Despite efforts to address these issues, including software updates and warranty extensions, the challenges persist. Owners are advised to monitor their high-voltage battery health using OBD II readers and document any anomalies to hold manufacturers accountable.
As Kia works to resolve these battery issues, it’s clear that addressing the underlying problems will be crucial to restoring consumer trust and ensuring the long-term reliability of their electric vehicles.