Kia Recalls Over 80,000 Vehicles Due to Airbag and Seat Belt Safety Concern
Kia has issued a recall for more than 80,000 Niro models in the United States following a safety concern involving the functionality of seat belts and airbags. According to a report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this issue could compromise key safety features in affected vehicles.
Kia has issued a recall for more than 80,000 Niro models in the United States following a safety concern involving the functionality of seat belts and airbags. According to a report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this issue could compromise key safety features in affected vehicles.
The automaker identified that frequent adjustments to the front passenger seat may damage wiring located beneath the seat. This wiring is critical for the proper operation of features such as airbags and seat belts. If compromised, it could lead to airbags not deploying as intended during a collision, deploying unexpectedly, or failing to deactivate for smaller passengers, thereby increasing the risk of injuries. This potential hazard has prompted Kia to act preemptively to address the issue.
The recall applies to 80,255 Kia Niro, Niro EV, and Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles equipped with a manual front passenger seat. These vehicles were manufactured between August 10, 2022, and December 13, 2024. As of January 10, the NHTSA has not received any reports of crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires related to this defect.
Vehicle owners will be notified by March and advised whether they need to bring their cars to the nearest dealership for inspection. During these inspections, dealership technicians will examine the wiring beneath the front passenger seat, perform any necessary repairs or adjustments, and install protective covers to prevent future damage.
Kia emphasized its commitment to customer safety and stated that it is working closely with the NHTSA to ensure the issue is resolved efficiently. Vehicle owners are encouraged to follow the instructions in the notification letter and schedule their service appointments promptly to mitigate any potential risks.
This recall highlights Kia's proactive approach in addressing safety concerns before they result in incidents. Owners of affected models are urged to take this recall seriously and cooperate with dealership recommendations to ensure their vehicles remain safe to operate.
