Kia is recalling more than 21,000 of its EV9 electric SUVs, model years 2025 and 2026, due to a faulty airbag sensor system that poses a risk of injury to children in the front passenger seat. The recall, detailed in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impacts 21,290 vehicles.
The issue lies with the vehicles' Occupant Detection System (ODS). According to Kia, the ODS may fail to deactivate the front passenger airbag when a child or a child restraint system is present in the seat. If the airbag deploys under these circumstances, it could increase the risk of injury in a crash. The defect means the affected vehicles do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Owners may notice an illuminated airbag warning light on the instrument cluster. Additionally, a seatbelt reminder chime might sound, indicating a front passenger is not buckled even when the seat is unoccupied. Kia has not reported any injuries related to this specific defect.
The automaker advises owners not to place child restraint systems in the front passenger seat. For safety, children aged 13 and younger should be seated in the rear of the vehicle. Kia dealers will address the issue by inspecting the affected vehicles and replacing the ODS mat and bladder tube with new parts as needed, ensuring proper component routing. These repairs will be provided at no cost to owners.
Notification letters are expected to be mailed to affected owners starting October 20. Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) subject to this recall will be searchable on NHTSA’s recall website beginning September 4.
This recall follows a separate, larger recall in July, where Kia recalled approximately 462,869 Telluride SUVs from model years 2020 through 2024. That recall was initiated due to a fire risk stemming from a faulty front power seat switch that could overheat. Owners of those vehicles were advised to park outside and away from other structures due to the fire hazard.