Kia is recalling more than 21,000 electric SUVs over an airbag sensor defect 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 EV9 is Kia's three-row electric flagship, which went on sale in the U.S. in 2024, meaning the recall lands early in the model line's run.

What the defect involves

The problem centers on the vehicles' Occupant Detection System (ODS), which may fail to deactivate the front passenger airbag when a child or a child restraint system is in the seat. An airbag that deploys under those circumstances could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Occupant detection systems rely on pressure- and weight-sensing components built into the seat cushion to classify who or what is in the front passenger seat and determine whether the airbag should be enabled. Front airbags deploy at high speed and are engineered for adult occupants, which is why suppressing them for small passengers is a mandated safety function rather than a convenience feature. Child-suppression requirements fall under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, the federal occupant crash-protection rule.

Because of the defect, the affected vehicles do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards, according to the filing. Occupant-detection defects have been a recurring category of U.S. safety recalls, as the suppression function depends on sensitive in-seat hardware.

Warning signs and Kia's guidance

Drivers may notice an airbag warning light illuminated 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. That guidance mirrors NHTSA's long-standing recommendation that children under 13 ride in the back seat, and it carries particular weight while the recall remedy is pending, since the ODS may not deactivate the airbag as intended.

Free repairs and owner notifications

Kia dealers will inspect affected vehicles and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube with new parts as necessary. Dealers will also verify that the components are properly routed. The repairs will be performed free of charge, as automakers are required to remedy safety recalls at no cost to owners under federal law. Owners who paid for repairs tied to the defect before being notified may also be eligible for reimbursement under NHTSA rules.

Kia expects to begin mailing notification letters to affected owners on Oct. 20, according to the report.

Earlier Telluride fire-risk recall

The EV9 action follows a separate recall announced in July, when Kia recalled more than 460,000 Telluride SUVs over a 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, and owners were advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and buildings because of the risk of a fire while driving or parked.

Federal regulators said at the time that seven seat fires and 11 cases of seat motors melting had been reported. That 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. Drivers who want to check sooner, or check any vehicle for open recalls at any time, can enter a 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Source: Fox Business