by What the recall is about
The recall concerns the three-row electric SUV Kia EV9. The company is recalling 21,290 such vehicles from model years 2025 and 2026. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the passenger detection system in the front seat may not work properly.
Why this is dangerous
The problem is related to the air chamber tube of the passenger detection system mat. When the front passenger seat is raised to its highest position, this tube can become pinched. As a result, the system does not turn off the front airbag even when a child is riding in the seat. This increases the risk of injury and does not comply with federal safety standards.
Previously, Hyundai and Kia had already recommended that owners of some electric vehicles park their cars outside, away from home.
The exact timeline of events is not given in the NHTSA report. However, it is known that the problem is connected to the actions of a supplier. The agency notes:
the cause was improper routing of the tube by the supplier.
According to preliminary estimates, the defect may affect about 6% of the recalled vehicles. That is approximately 1,277 units.
How to notice the malfunction
Owners may learn about the problem if the airbag indicator lights up on the instrument panel. There may also be an audible seat belt reminder for the front passenger, even when there is actually no passenger in the seat.
What will be done at the service center
Notification letters are planned to be sent to owners in mid-October. They will need to contact a dealership, where technicians will check the routing of the passenger detection system mat tube.
If a problem is found, the mat and system tube will be replaced with new ones to ensure proper routing. In addition, dealers will replace the seat cover assembly.
Such recalls remind us how important the proper operation of passive safety systems is, especially when children are in the car. For the Kia EV9, this is a sensitive moment, as the model is one of the brand’s key assets in the electric vehicle market. Therefore, the manufacturer will most likely try to resolve the situation as quickly as possible to maintain customer trust. Owners should carefully monitor notifications and not ignore a visit to the service center, even if there are no warning signals on the instrument panel yet.
