Kia is recalling more than 21,000 of its electric EV9 SUVs, from the 2025 and 2026 model years, due to an airbag defect that could pose a serious risk of injury or death to children in the front passenger seat. The recall, announced via documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), affects 21,290 vehicles.
The issue lies within the vehicle's occupant detection system. This system is designed to determine if a front passenger is present and if they are large enough for the airbag to deploy safely. Normally, it deactivates the front passenger airbag when a child or child restraint is detected. However, in the affected EV9s, the system may incorrectly identify the occupant, leaving the airbag active when it should be disengaged.
Kia has stated that this defect means the affected vehicles do not comply with federal safety standards for occupant detection and airbag systems. The automaker has not reported any crashes, injuries, or fatalities linked to this specific problem.
Owners may notice warning signs such as an airbag warning light on the dashboard or a seatbelt reminder chime activating even when the front passenger seat is unoccupied. Until the recall repair is completed, Kia advises owners not to place a child restraint in the front passenger seat.
The EV9 is Kia's large, three-row electric SUV and is often marketed as a family vehicle, making this airbag defect a particular concern for families who transport children regularly. Kia recommends that children 13 years old and younger should always ride in the rear seat, which is generally the safest position for them.
Kia will notify owners of the affected vehicles by mail, with recall notices expected to begin arriving around October 20. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicles to dealerships for a free repair. Technicians will inspect the occupant detection system, and if necessary, replace the ODS mat and bladder tube. They will also ensure these components are correctly routed for accurate passenger detection.
Owners will be able to check if their specific vehicle is included in the recall by using its vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA's recall database starting September 4. The vehicles affected were manufactured before Kia identified the passenger detection system issue.
This EV9 recall is the latest in a series of safety actions for Kia vehicles this year. In July, Kia recalled approximately 462,869 Telluride SUVs from model years 2020 through 2024 due to a separate defect involving power seat motors that could overheat and pose a fire risk. Owners of those vehicles were advised to park them away from structures and other vehicles until repairs were made. Kia reported seven seat fires and 11 incidents of melted seat motors related to that Telluride issue.