Kia EV9 loss of power problems

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · OR

The vehicle failed without warning while driving. In sequence, it displayed an electrical system warning, then a 12V battery error, dropped into reduced-power “turtle” mode, shifted itself into neutral, sat immobile while throwing multiple warning lights, and then lost all power completely. It had to be towed to local Kia for diagnosis/repair. Losing motive power while driving in traffic is a serious safety hazard that put the occupants and others around the vehicle at risk.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical · TN

My 205 EV9 Wind with 24500 Miles left me stranded, the standard battery simbol that in ICE cards refers to the alternator, came on, I tried to get to the dealer about 20 miles in the way home, less that 3 miles after that the car lost power with just enough to move to the shoulder, I stopped, power the car off and tried turning it back on, no success, but this time I had enough power to park in a safer position. I took the vehicle on a tow truck that was called by the Kia Assistance.

Filed May 21, 2026 · Electrical · WA

ICCU failure. Total and sudden loss of power. No acceleration. "Limp mode" activated for 5 miles before total shut down.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a serious incident involving my 2025 Kia EV9. The vehicle was serviced on March 1 at World Kia in Joliet, Illinois. On April 4, only four days after that service, the vehicle experienced a sudden and unexpected ICCU failure while I was driving. During my normal travel, in active traffic and at speed, the vehicle abruptly entered limp mode and displayed multiple system warnings. This caused an immediate and significant reduction in power, creating a hazardous situation for myself and surrounding drivers. I was forced to maneuver the vehicle out of traffic while it was rapidly losing propulsion capability. The vehicle is currently at Berwyn Kia in Berwyn, Illinois for diagnosis and repair. I am reporting this incident due to the clear safety implications of a sudden loss of power during highway driving operation. A failure of this nature poses a risk of collision, especially in high‑speed or congested traffic conditions. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this issue as part of its ongoing monitoring of Kia/Hyundai/Genesis Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) failures and related safety concerns. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Acceleration · AZ

On March 19, 2026, at approximately 1003 hours, I was traveling north on the [XXX] located in [XXX] . I was traveling in the number two lane and my speed was approximately 78 MPH when all of a sudden I had a loss acceleration power and my Kia EV9 began to decelerate rapidly and my dashboard began to flash a loss of power warning. I had no control over my accelerator and could not speed up. Due to the rapid deceleration I had to take evasive action as northbound highway traffic was flowing smoothly. My clearest path was to move to the lefthand shoulder, which required me to cross the number one lane and the carpool lane. During this time, my Kia EV9 continued to decelerate. Once I got my vehicle onto the shoulder I placed my vehicle in park at which time my dashboard highlighted the front storage compartment of my vehicle in red. I assumed that meant my frunk was open. I exited my vehicle and checked my frunk and indeed found that my frunk was open and the first stage of the two-stage latch system was disengaged. Had the second stage of the latch system been disengaged it could have resulted in catastrophic consequences due to me traveling at highway speeds on a multilane highway. To be clear, I did not touch the interior compartment frunk release button and my keys were sitting in my left cargo short pocket located on the side of my left leg. I had also been traveling for approximately five to seven minutes and had entered the highway via the northbound [XXX] . I came to a stop at approximately the [XXX] area, which is approximately two miles north of [XXX] . I am aware that electric model Kia vehicles have a safety measure in which if the frunk or trunk is open the vehicle computer system does not allow the vehicle to engage in drive or reverse mode. Since I do have an electric vehicle, a diagnostic of my vehicle computer could reveal the cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WA

I would also like to highlight the serious safety concern due to cell deviation (imbalance) along with SOC (State of Charge) mismatch as per my car's BMS (Battery management system) which is present in my vehicle and shared with Kia corporate. In an electric vehicle, the high-voltage battery cells, the Battery Management System, and the battery coolant system function as a single integrated safety-critical system. When battery cells are imbalanced and there is a significant mismatch between the state of charge displayed to the driver and the lower usable energy calculated by the Battery Management System, the weakest cell can reach its safe operating limit under normal driving load even though the dashboard indicates sufficient charge. If this condition is combined with a battery coolant system fault, such as low coolant level or air in the cooling circuit, battery temperatures can rise unevenly and further reduce safe operating margins. To protect the battery and prevent thermal or electrical damage, the system must immediately limit propulsion or enter a reduced-power (“turtle”) mode without driver input. Because these protective actions can occur suddenly and without advance warning, they can restrict acceleration or vehicle speed during ordinary driving conditions such as merging or maintaining highway speed, creating an unexpected loss-of-propulsion safety risk rather than a mere inconvenience. This is equivalent to a faulty fuel gauge for a gasoline car but with more immediate and severe consequences Sudden Power Cutoffs: If a single battery cell's voltage drops below a safe threshold, the Battery Management System (BMS) will shut down the entire pack to prevent permanent damage. This can happen even if the dashboard shows 25% or more remaining, potentially leaving you without power while driving. Loss of Vehicle Control: A sudden shutdown can lead to a loss of power steering and braking assistance, which is hazardous in high-speed or heavytraffic situatio

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Electrical · NM

Received the following warning on 8/16 with 6987 miles on the car: Critical EV Battery Warning Your EV Battery has a critical issue. Contact Roadside Assistance as soon as possible. Car has been in the dealership for a week with "no estimated repair timeline" due to the battery cells failing. Car will not fully charge and is at risk of suddenly losing power and stopping, per the dealer.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and could not accelerate normally. The speed dropped and got stuck around 12–25 mph even when pressing the accelerator. This happened multiple times, usually during hot daytime conditions. It created a serious safety risk, and one time another car almost hit me from behind because my vehicle slowed down so suddenly. The dealer has inspected the car several times but said they could not reproduce the problem. Warning messages such as “Power Limited” appeared on the dashboard when the failure occurred. I also recorded multiple videos of the problem when it happened.

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Fuel system · CT

Starting on Feb 22, 2025, we observed that our Kia EV9 had dramatically reduced range. Normally, when charging was complete the dashboard would show well over 250 miles of range, even in cold weather. On Feb 22nd we started to see the range had dropped to around 60 miles, even when the dashboard reported the battery at 100% charge. The actual range seemed to be even worse, dropping dramatically even after a short drive around our town. By all appearances, the high voltage battery seems to be defective and is causing a safety issue because it could result in a sudden loss of power during driving or an unexpected shutdown of the vehicle. This may also be a symptom of an even more serious battery defect that could result in a battery fire. We brought the vehicle to the dealer, and they were able to reproduce the severe drop in range. No components have been replaced yet, we are still waiting to hear which parts will be replaced under warranty service. During this entire time the vehicle has given zero warnings or alerts, including no warning messages nor the check engine light.

Filed Jan 29, 2025 · Body, Brakes · WA

The 12-volt battery for the vehicle was depleted, so the vehicle had to be jump-started to run. I work for a repair facility (it was here for collision repairs, as far as I know unrelated to this issue) and since I was unfamiliar with the vehicle, I inadvertently turned it off before shifting into park. When I took my foot off the brake, the vehicle began to roll forward. I am not sure if the vehicle was in park, neutral, or even reverse (the gear I was in when I turned the vehicle off), but whatever gear it was, the vehicle kept rolling after it was turned off. I tried turning the vehicle back on to shift to park, but was unable to do so due to the depleted 12-volt battery. I tried hitting the park button anyway, and this did nothing. I then tried to engage the electronic parking brake, but this was also inoperative due to the lack of power. With each attempt, I tried briefly taking my foot off the brake, but each time it continued to roll forward. I then called my manager and asked him to jump start the vehicle so I could put it in park and engage the parking brake. No damage was done in this incident, nor was anyone hurt, but this lack of fail-safes to prevent the vehicle from moving after a loss of power is a significant design flaw and safety hazard. If I had not noticed the issue in time and gotten out, the vehicle could have rolled away and caused property damage or bodily injury to me or a bystander. To my knowledge, this is the only such incident with this vehicle, and I do not know whether it is specific to this particular vehicle or replicable in others of the same year make and model. There were no warning lights.