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Kia is recalling more than 21,000 electric SUVs because of an airbag sensor issue that could increase the risk of injury to children riding in the front passenger seat.
The recall covers 21,290 Kia EV9 SUVs from the 2025 and 2026 model years, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The issue involves the vehicles’ Occupant Detection System, or ODS, which may fail to deactivate the front passenger airbag when a child or child restraint is in the seat. An airbag that deploys in those circumstances could increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The defect means the affected vehicles do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards, according to the documents.
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Drivers may notice an airbag warning light on the instrument cluster. A seatbelt reminder chime may also sound to indicate that the front passenger is not wearing a seatbelt even when the seat is empty.
Kia did not say whether it is aware of any injuries related to the issue, according to the report.
The automaker advises drivers not to install a child restraint system in the front passenger seat and says children ages 13 and younger should ride in the rear seat.
Kia dealers will inspect affected vehicles and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube with new parts as necessary. Dealers will also make sure the components are properly routed. The repairs will be performed free of charge.
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Kia expects to begin mailing notification letters to affected owners on Oct. 20, according to the report.
The recall comes after Kia recalled more than 460,000 Telluride SUVs in July over a separate fire risk after an earlier repair failed to resolve the problem.
That recall covered 462,869 Telluride vehicles from the 2020 through 2024 model years. Owners were advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and buildings because of the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
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Federal regulators said at the time that seven seat fires and 11 cases of seat motors melting had been reported. The issue involved a front power seat switch that could become dislodged, misaligned or damaged, potentially causing the seat motor to run continuously and overheat.
Vehicle identification numbers covered by the latest EV9 recall are expected to become searchable on NHTSA’s recall website beginning Sept. 4.
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