Kia EV9 Instrument Panel Going Blank? Here's What Owners Need to Know About the Recall and Temporary Fixes

The digital instrument panel in the 2024 Kia EV9 intermittently going blank is a confirmed issue, leading to a formal recall from Kia and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Based on our long-term test experience and numerous NHTSA complaints, this fault leaves drivers without critical information like speed, battery level, and turn signal status. While a permanent repair is now under development, owners have practical, immediate solutions to maintain safety and drivability.

What Exactly Happens When the Kia EV9's Screen Fails?

When the instrument panel fails, the screen turns almost entirely black, displaying only the gear indicator (e.g., 'D' for Drive) and parking brake light. During our six-month, 4,000-mile test, this occurred multiple times. Importantly, the central touchscreen for infotainment typically remains operational. However, the underlying issue involves a communication lapse within the vehicle's network. This explains why:

• Turn signals: The lights themselves work, but the accompanying audible click and dashboard indicator do not.
• Backup camera: The camera view may not shut off automatically after shifting out of Reverse.
• Drive modes: The vehicle can become stuck in a default mode, such as Eco mode, limiting acceleration performance.
• Odometer: The mileage continues to record accurately despite the display being off.

A reset of the center screen via the pinhole button is ineffective. The only reliable way to temporarily restore the panel is to turn the vehicle off completely and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the system to reset.

Is There an Official Fix or Recall for the Blank Screen?

Yes, Kia and NHTSA issued an official recall for the blank instrument panel display on October 17, 2024. This action followed a period of investigation by the automaker. Of the 48 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2024 EV9, more than half are specifically for this instrument panel failure. In an earlier statement, Kia spokesman James Hope said, “Kia is aware of and is diligently investigating the intermittent operation of the instrument cluster display screen... Kia is working towards a solution to address this issue.” The recall confirms a permanent repair is now in development. Owners should monitor official communications from Kia for notification when the software update or hardware replacement becomes available at dealerships.

How Can EV9 Owners Drive Safely Before the Repair?

Until the recall repair is performed, owners can use smartphone integration to compensate for the missing speedometer and battery information. Since the central touchscreen remains functional, you can leverage Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

• For Speed: Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze display real-time speed on the touchscreen. Some apps may require a destination to be entered for this feature to activate.
• For Battery Data: Switch to the EV menu on the center touchscreen to view the battery percentage and estimated driving range (distance-to-empty).
• Alternative App: Download a dedicated GPS speedometer app on your phone, which may also project its display onto the car's screen.

Always manually check that your turn signals are operating correctly by visually confirming the lights on the front and rear of the vehicle are blinking. Do not rely on sound or dashboard indicators when the instrument panel is blank.

The blank instrument panel in the Kia EV9 is a significant inconvenience, but a formal recall is now in effect. While awaiting the official fix, using smartphone apps for speed and battery data is a safe and effective workaround. Owners should proactively check for recall notices from Kia and schedule the repair as soon as it becomes available to restore full instrument panel functionality.