Kia soon will be issuing EV9 recall notices to about 12,400 U.S. owners of its 2024 EV9 SUV to fix a potential issue with the automated remote parking system.
The EV9 recall affects GT-Line and Land trims built between Sept. 25, 2023 and May 28, 2024. It was requested by Kia North America and announced in mid-September by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the letters from the automaker won’t go out to owners until Oct. 18.
Kia North America notified NHTSA of the parking system problem in early September after a parking accident occurred in South Korea. There have been no reports of incidents in the U.S. but Kia said it decided to inaugurate the recall out of an abundance of caution.
The problem stems from a software glitch that could cause the Remote Smart Parking Assist system on GT-Line and Land versions equipped with it to “miscalculate stopping distances” – oops – thus increasing the risk of parking lot accidents.
The fix involves a software update at the dealership.
The full-size, three-row electric SUV is Kia’s largest EV model and has been a big hit with critics and shoppers alike since its introduction in the U.S., as a 2024 model, near the end of October, 2023.
Owners with questions about the EV9 recall can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s identification number for this recall is SC324.
Concerned EV9 owners also can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. The NHTSA recall campaign number is 24V693000.