【ANN NEWS, LOS ANGELES】 By Kelly Qi
Kia electric vehicle owners in the United States should take note.
South Korean automaker Kia is recalling more than 21,000 EV9 all-electric SUVs in the United States because of a potential problem with the front passenger seat occupant detection system. When a child or child safety seat is in the front passenger seat, the system may fail to properly deactivate the front passenger airbag, potentially increasing the risk of injury to a child in a crash.
According to recall information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration（NHTSA）, the recall involves:
- 2025 Kia EV9
- 2026 Kia EV9
A total of 21,290 vehicles are potentially affected.
The NHTSA recall number is 26V545000, and Kia’s recall number is SC379.
What Is the Problem?
The issue involves the vehicle’s Occupant Detection System（ODS）.
One of the system’s key functions is to determine whether the front passenger seat is occupied by an adult, a child or a child safety seat, and then determine whether the front passenger airbag should be activated.
According to the recall documents, ODS system components in some EV9 vehicles may become compressed because of improper routing of tubing when the front passenger seat is raised to its highest position.
If this occurs, the vehicle may not correctly determine the occupant status of the seat.
Of particular concern for parents:
If a child or child safety seat is in the front passenger seat, the system may fail to deactivate the front passenger airbag as designed.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash and the airbag deploys, the risk of injury to a child may increase.
NHTSA said the issue means the affected vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 208 requirements for occupant crash protection.
Owners May Notice Two Warning Signs
Some affected vehicles may show warning signs before the problem is addressed.
For example:
The airbag warning light may illuminate on the instrument panel;
or the vehicle may suddenly sound a front passenger seat belt warning chime even when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat.
EV9 owners who experience similar issues should contact a Kia dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.
However, even if a vehicle does not display these warnings, that does not necessarily mean it is outside the recall. Owners should ultimately confirm their vehicle’s status using its VIN.
Owners With Children Should Pay Particular Attention
Kia reminds owners not to install a child safety seat in the front passenger seat.
Children age 13 and younger should ride in the rear seat of the vehicle.
This is also a longstanding child passenger safety recommendation from U.S. road safety authorities.
What makes this EV9 recall particularly significant is that if the occupant detection system malfunctions, the front passenger airbag, which should be deactivated under certain circumstances, may remain active.
EV9 owners who regularly travel with children should therefore pay particular attention to this recall.
How Will It Be Repaired? Owners Will Not Have to Pay
Kia dealers will inspect the ODS system in affected vehicles.
If a problem is found, dealers will replace the ODS sensor mat and related tubing as needed and ensure that the components are installed correctly.
All recall repairs will be performed free of charge.
Kia expects to begin mailing official recall notification letters to affected owners on October 20.
However, owners do not necessarily have to wait until they receive a letter before checking.
According to the recall information, VINs for vehicles involved in the recall are expected to become searchable through NHTSA’s recall lookup system beginning September 4.
Owners will then be able to enter their vehicle’s 17-digit VIN to determine whether their EV9 is included in the recall.
Not Every 2025 or 2026 EV9 Is Necessarily Affected
There is another point that could easily cause confusion.
Although the recall involves both 2025 and 2026 model-year EV9s, that does not mean every 2025 or 2026 EV9 sold in the U.S. has this issue.
Recall documents show that the affected vehicles were produced between May 17, 2024, and May 13, 2026.
Whether a particular vehicle is actually included in the recall should ultimately be confirmed through a VIN lookup.
If a vehicle is confirmed to be part of the recall, the owner can contact a Kia dealer to arrange a free inspection and repair.
Kia owners can also call customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and provide recall number SC379 for more information.
For families with a 2025 or 2026 Kia EV9, especially those who frequently travel with children, one date is worth remembering:
September 4.
Beginning that day, owners can enter their VIN on the NHTSA website to check whether their vehicle is included in the recall.
