After quickly winning critical acclaim in its initial model year, the 2024 Kia EV9 has been recalled due to a software issue with the remote smart parking system in some of these EVs.
The recall affects 12,400 EV9 GT-Line and Land models that have the feature, which allows the SUV to be maneuvered in and out of spaces remotely, with the driver standing outside the car and holding a button on the key fob. In the affected vehicles, software may miscalculate stopping distances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2024 Kia EV9
This condition, which is due to a logic error in the vehicles’ integrated electronic brake control software, can occur after the parking assist system makes repeated stops at or less than approximately 2 mph, according to the NHTSA, which noted that increased stopping distances can increase the risk of collisions.
The remedy is a free software update of the integrated electronic brake software. While some automakers, particularly Tesla, have used over-the-air updates to address recalls, this one has to be done at a dealership.
2024 Kia EV9
Kia plans to mail owner notification letters instructing owners of when to schedule dealer appointments October 18. Owners can also contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 for more information. Kia’s reference number for this recall is SC324.
The three-row Kia EV9 is a favorite for its roomy, versatile interior and especially speedy road-trip charging, while it tops 300 miles of range on less than 100 kwh of battery capacity—altogether a what helped it earn our Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy 2024 award. EV shoppers also seemed quite keen on the EV9 at its launch, which predictably led to price gouging by dealers.
