The EV9, Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, made an impressive debut since its launch this year. However, Kia America informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about a recall for specific versions of its 2024 EV9 models last week.
The South Korean carmaker announced that it will recall 2,401 EV9 vehicles because they may not have enough headliner protection in case of a crash. Fortunately, there haven’t been any crashes reported due to weak headliners so far.
In the first five months of 2024, Kia sold 7,766 EV9s in the US alone. In May, they sold 2,187 EV9s. The Korean automaker told the NHTSA that some of these models had weak headliners. These cover the roof inside the cabin because they lack proper impact-absorbing plates.
They found this issue during pre-production tests at the Gwangmyeong Autoland plant in South Korea, as production started around the end of May.
Kia recalled 2024 EV9 Light models
Kia discovered that certain versions of the EV9 made in 2023 and 2024 didn’t meet federal safety standards. These models were manufactured between September 25, 2023, and March 21, 2024, and are now subject to recall.
Moreover, Kia built EV9 Light models between March 22 and 28 this year. However, the Korean automaker didn’t sell those units and kept them by themselves. The company announced that starting from June 11, the new EV9 models will have new headliners. Note that the company will replace the impact-absorbing plates for free.
About Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 was the first electric vehicle assembled in Georgia, USA, starting at the end of May. It costs around $55,000 (INR 45.94 lakh) and has a range of about 489 km on a single charge. Also, it has a 99.8 kWh battery and a dual motor e AWD system, producing a total power output of 379 bhp and 700 Nm of torque. Moreover, the GT Line version can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.5 seconds.
Final Words
Kia’s exceptional customer service will swiftly address any concerns or issues related to the EV9. If you have an EV9 and need help, you can reach out to Kia’s customer service for assistance.
