If you own, or are thinking about buying, a Kia EV9, its software update history isn’t just trivia. Over‑the‑air (OTA) updates have quietly changed how the EV9 charges, how efficiently it uses energy, how smoothly it shifts, and even what future‑ready features (like V2X and Plug & Charge) it supports. Understanding the Kia EV9 software update history helps you know what your SUV can do today, and what to look for if you’re shopping used.
Kia EV9 is a true software‑defined SUV
Why the Kia EV9’s software update history matters
The EV9 launched as one of the first mass‑market three‑row electric SUVs with a heavy emphasis on software‑defined features. That means Kia can tweak important systems via software, including the Vehicle Charging Management System (VCMS), Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), lighting controllers, and even the shift‑by‑wire logic. For owners, those updates can fix bugs, unlock new capabilities, and sometimes change the value proposition of the vehicle altogether.
- Charging reliability and speed: updates have improved AC charging stability, DC fast‑charging compatibility (including NACS DC chargers), and scheduled charging behavior.
- Energy features: newer OTAs enable the EV9 to be “V2X ready” and, on later models, Plug & Charge capable, which can affect how you use the vehicle with home energy systems and public networks.
- Usability and comfort: logic changes to headlamps, auxiliary battery usage, gear selection, and wireless phone charging can make the EV9 feel more refined day to day.
- Resale value: a used EV9 that has stayed current with major software campaigns is typically more attractive than one that’s several updates behind.
For used shoppers
How OTA updates work on the Kia EV9
Kia uses Kia Connect to deliver OTA updates to the EV9. As long as the vehicle has an active Kia Connect subscription and a solid data connection, it can download eligible updates in the background and prompt you to install them when the vehicle is parked and powered off.
Kia EV9 OTA basics at a glance
What happens from download to install
1. Download over the air
2. Install when powered off
3. Expect 2–20 minutes
Slow‑roll releases are normal
Kia EV9 software update history and timeline
Kia doesn’t brand EV9 software by catchy names like some rivals do, but it does publish detailed OTA release notes. For 2024–2026, the most meaningful EV9 updates cluster into a few themes: charging & energy, driveability, and connected features. Below is a simplified timeline of notable campaigns that specifically mention the EV9 in Kia’s OTA documentation.
High‑level Kia EV9 OTA software timeline (2024–2026)
Key OTA campaigns for the EV9 and what they focus on. Exact applicability depends on build date and trim.
| Approx. release window | Reference (Kia) | Model years | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late 2023–early 2024 | AC charging / water pump | 2024 EV9 | Improves AC charging performance, prevents charging interruptions and warning lights by adjusting electric water pump logic. |
| Early 2024 | ILCU logic (SA567) | 2024 EV9 | Updates Integrated LED Headlamp Control Unit to reduce 12‑volt battery draw when parked. |
| Spring 2024 | VCMS scheduled charging (SA577) | 2024 EV9 | Refines Vehicle Charging Management System to reduce intermittent interruptions during Scheduled Charging. |
| Mid–late 2024 | Body Domain Controller / SC326 | 2024 EV9 | BDC logic update, linked to a recall. OTA attempt first; dealer visit if unsuccessful. |
| Late 2024 | NACS DC charging compatibility (SA601) | 2024–2025 EV9 | Improves compatibility with NACS DC fast‑charging stations, reducing risk of charging shutdowns. |
| Late 2024 | V2X readiness (ELE380) | 2024–2025 EV9 | Updates VCMS, VCU, R_MCU and BMU so the vehicle is V2X‑ready once you activate the feature and install a compatible bidirectional charger. |
| Late 2024–early 2025 | CCU logic / SA608 | 2024–2025 EV9 | Optimizes Central Communication Unit to reduce auxiliary battery consumption while the vehicle is off. |
| Early–mid 2025 | Gear shift logic / SA620 | 2024–2025 EV9 | Improves shift‑by‑wire behavior for smoother transitions into reverse and more consistent gear engagement. |
| 2025 | Wireless charger & Digital Key 2 (SA618/SA626) | 2024 EV9 | Refines wireless phone charging reliability and NFC card detection for Digital Key 2. |
| 2025 | Plug & Charge readiness (ELE396) | 2026 EV9, select 2025 EVs | Updates VCMS and CCU to make 2026 EV9 Plug & Charge ready at compatible public stations. |
| Late 2025 | VCU logic / SA634 | 2026 EV9 | Improves Vehicle Control Unit logic to reduce unintended warning lights. |
Always verify active campaigns for your specific VIN with Kia or a qualified retailer.
Not every update applies to every EV9
Charging-focused EV9 updates: AC, DC, NACS and scheduling
Given the EV9’s role as a family hauler and road‑trip machine, it’s no surprise that many of Kia’s earliest software campaigns focused on charging reliability. If you’re comparing two used EV9s, their charging‑related update history is one of the most impactful differences you can uncover.
Key charging‑related campaigns for EV9
AC charging & electric water pump update
One of the first EV9‑specific OTA notes addressed AC charging behavior on early 2024 builds. Kia adjusted the Electric Water Pump logic to keep the battery’s thermal management in the right window while charging. That, in turn, helps avoid unexpected AC charging interruptions and warning lights that frustrated some early adopters.
Scheduled charging reliability
Another early campaign tuned the Vehicle Charging Management System (VCMS) so scheduled charging sessions, common for off‑peak overnight rates, don’t stop and start unpredictably. If you’re planning to rely on time‑of‑use electricity pricing, it’s worth confirming that a 2024 EV9 has had this update applied.
NACS DC fast‑charging compatibility
As North American Charging Standard (NACS) hardware spreads beyond Tesla’s own network, Kia issued an EV9 OTA that explicitly targets “charging compatibility with NACS Connector DC Fast Chargers”. The update revises charging control logic to reduce the chance of charge‑session shutdowns on those stations. For U.S. buyers, this campaign is an important bridge between today’s CCS environment and an increasingly NACS‑centric future.
Road‑trip tip for used EV9 buyers
Battery, V2X and auxiliary power updates
Beyond charging plugs and timers, several EV9 updates are about what the high‑voltage and 12‑volt systems do while the vehicle sits quietly in your driveway, or when it’s powering something else.
What recent EV9 energy‑related updates changed
From parked power draw to bidirectional capability
Auxiliary battery consumption
V2X readiness
V2X is software + hardware
Driveability and everyday comfort updates
Several EV9 campaigns fall into the "polish" category, small tweaks that owners will notice every day even if they never read a release note.
- Shift‑by‑wire and gear logic: Updates under references like SA620 and SA626 refine how the EV9 transitions into reverse and how the shift‑by‑wire controller interprets your inputs. The goal is smoother, more predictable engagement and fewer brief delays when moving between drive and reverse in tight spaces.
- Wireless phone charger: Another OTA focuses on the wireless charging pad, improving the logic so phones maintain a more stable charge connection. That’s especially helpful for long navigation sessions or CarPlay/Android Auto (where supported).
- Cluster & warning‑light logic: Multiple campaigns adjust how the Vehicle Control Unit and other modules trigger warnings. On 2026 EV9s, for example, an update aims to cut down on unintended warning‑light displays by improving processing logic in the VCU.
Why this matters on a test drive
Infotainment, apps and connected‑services updates
Kia also uses OTA updates to evolve the EV9’s infotainment and connected services. A 2024 global OTA bundle, for example, added SoundCloud streaming support, improved the built‑in EV Route Planner, and expanded voice commands across various models, including EVs equipped with Kia Connect.
Streaming & apps
Kia’s software roadmap has leaned into in‑car streaming. A late‑2024 OTA brought SoundCloud integration alongside existing services like Amazon Music in supported regions, plus a wider data bandwidth to speed up future OTA downloads.
Region and trim influence exactly which EV9s see each app, but the broader trend is clear: Kia wants the big central screen to feel more like a living platform than a frozen‑in‑time radio.
Navigation & voice control
Updates to the EV Route Planner improve how the system automatically adds charging stops and displays key information in split‑screen layouts. Some software packages also expand voice‑recognition commands, including queries for charging stations, flight information, date/time, and ambient‑lighting controls.
These changes may sound small, but on a long trip, a smarter route planner and better voice control can make the EV9 feel significantly more modern.
How to check your EV9’s software and update status
Whether you already own an EV9 or are standing on a dealer lot evaluating a used one, you can do a quick scan to see if the vehicle appears up to date. You won’t see Kia’s internal campaign codes on screen, but you can tell whether the vehicle is receiving new packages and roughly when it last updated.
Quick steps to review Kia EV9 software status
1. Check for pending OTA in‑vehicle
From the main infotainment screen, navigate to settings and look for a <strong>software update</strong> section. If an OTA is downloaded and waiting, the system will typically prompt you to install it when you power off.
2. Open the Kia Connect app
Log in with the account tied to the EV9. Under vehicle settings or software, look for any notices about available OTA updates. If everything is greyed out or you never see updates, that’s worth asking a dealer about.
3. Confirm Kia Connect subscription status
OTAs require an active <strong>Kia Connect</strong> license. If a used EV9 changed owners and the subscription wasn’t transferred or renewed, OTA delivery may be paused until the account is updated.
4. Review service records for campaign codes
Ask the seller or dealer for service paperwork listing campaign IDs such as <strong>SA577</strong>, <strong>SA601</strong>, <strong>ELE380</strong>, and others. These codes indicate that major updates were applied by OTA or at a dealership.
5. Ask a dealer to run the VIN
If you’re serious about a particular vehicle, a Kia service department can run the VIN and list any outstanding software campaigns and recalls. This is standard practice and a smart pre‑purchase step.
6. Drive the vehicle and note behavior
On your test drive, pay attention to charging screens, shift behavior, warning lights, and infotainment responsiveness. Odd behavior doesn’t always mean old software, but it’s a good reason to dig deeper.
OTA problems do happen
Used Kia EV9 checklist: Software and features to verify
From a used‑vehicle perspective, the EV9’s software history is almost as important as its physical condition. You’re not just buying a battery and motors, you’re buying a platform that’s still evolving through updates.
Four software questions to ask before buying a used EV9
Great for dealer lots and private‑party sales alike
1. Are all open campaigns completed?
2. Is V2X or Plug & Charge important to you?
3. Does Kia Connect work correctly?
4. How does it behave on a test charge?
How Recharged approaches used EV9s
Kia EV9 software update FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Kia EV9 software updates
Bottom line for current and future EV9 owners
The Kia EV9 is one of the clearest examples of how modern EVs evolve through software. Since its launch, OTA campaigns have fine‑tuned AC charging, made the SUV more comfortable with scheduled charging and gear‑shift tweaks, prepared it for V2X and Plug & Charge, and trimmed down background power draw. None of those headlines live on the window sticker, but they have a real impact on day‑to‑day ownership.
If you already own an EV9, stay on top of Kia Connect status, glance at your infotainment update menus periodically, and don’t ignore dealer notifications about open campaigns. If you’re shopping used, fold software history into your evaluation alongside battery health and charging hardware. That’s exactly what platforms like Recharged are built to do: combine verified battery diagnostics, transparent pricing and clear update history so you know which EV9 best fits the way you drive and charge.
