Kia’s flagship electric SUV, the EV9, has been recalled in the United States due to a potential powertrain defect that could cause power outages while driving. The EV9 has garnered attention and earned multiple accolades, including 2024 World Car of the Year, but the latest recall has raised consumer concerns, prompting scrutiny of the vehicle’s reliability.
Recall Details and Powertrain Issues
Kia Motors America announced it would recall 342 units of the 2025 EV9, citing powertrain concerns. The recall affects models equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) system and is linked to a welding defect in the motor shaft inside the rear gear drive unit (GDU). This defect could directly impact driving capabilities, such as reduced acceleration and diminished driving force.
Potential Risks and Impact on Driving Performance
The recall explicitly targets EV9 units produced between October and December 2023 at the Georgia plant in the United States. Kia warned drivers that they might notice signs of the issue, including unusual driving noises or a warning message that reads “Check AWD/4WD” on the dashboard. In some cases, engineers discovered that under certain conditions, vehicles with this defect could not accelerate beyond 12 mph (approximately 19 km/h), potentially leading to dangerous situations on the road.
Customer Complaints and Investigation Results
The recall was initiated after Kia received a spike in customer support cases and one report of an actual power outage while driving in January of this year. An internal investigation confirmed that a weld defect might have damaged the internal motor shaft in the rear GDU, leading to a significant drop in driving performance. Kia acknowledged ten customer complaints regarding diminished or lost driving power, but the company stated that no accidents or injuries had occurred due to the defect.
Repair Process and Kia’s Response
Kia has pledged to address the issue by using authorized dealers to replace the affected vehicles’ rear gear drive unit. Owners of impacted cars will receive recall notices. While the replacement process is expected to take over six hours per vehicle, the company aims to resolve the problem quickly.
Since its introduction into the EV market, the EV9 has garnered significant praise for its performance and innovative design. However, this recall raises questions about Kia’s quality control measures. The focus now shifts to whether Kia can effectively address this defect and restore consumer confidence in the EV9. The outcome of this recall will be critical in determining the future success of the EV9 and Kia’s standing in the increasingly competitive EV market.
