Kia recalls 2025–2026 EV9 vehicles because front passenger air bag may not turn off for a child
Because of improper routing, the Occupant Detection System may not deactivate the air bag when a child or child seat is in the front passenger seat, so a child may be at greater risk of injury if it deploys in a crash.
What to do
Dealers will inspect and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube as needed, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542 and refer to Kia's recall number SC379.
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Recall details
- Product
- Kia Ev9 2025–2026
- Company
- Kia America, Inc.
- Hazard
- A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.
- Units
- 21,290 vehicles
- Owner notification
- October 9, 2026
- Reported to NHTSA
- August 21, 2026
- Identifiers
- NHTSA campaign number: 26V545000
- Manufacturer campaign number: SC379
- Model years: 2025–2026
The headline, summary and steps above are written in plain English from the official notice below. Identifiers are copied exactly as the agency published them. Always check the official notice before you act.
Official notice
The notice's own wording from NHTSA.
- Component
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Defect
- Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2025-2026 EV9 vehicles. Due to improper routing, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may not deactivate the air bag when a child or child seat is in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.
- Corrective action
- Dealers will inspect and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube with a new one and ensure proper routing as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning October 20, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC379. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 4, 2026.
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