Kias Recalled Due to Air Bag, Seat Belt Issue
SUVs may experience various problems resulting from wiring wear.
If a recalled vehicle has the wiring problem, it may display an airbag warning light.
Kia
Kia recalled more than 80,000 SUVs due to a defect that can interfere with air bags and seat belts.
The 2023 to 2025 Niro EV and the model’s plug-in hybrid and hybrid versions are included in the recall.
Certain of the vehicles may experience gradual damage to the wiring under the front passenger seat that may cause air bag or seat belt failure or unintended air bag deployment, all increasing risk of injury on the road, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If the problem exists, subject vehicles may display an air bag warning light.
The South Korean automaker estimates that just 1% of the vehicle population has the defect, and no crashes or injuries have been reported related to the issue.
Kia dealers will inspect recalled vehicles to determine if they have the defect, and if so will replace, reroute and install a covering over the wiring in question.
The company is scheduled to mail recall notices to owners on March 14.
More Fixed Ops
UVeye Launches Same-Day Vehicle Listings for Car Dealers
New 'Scan to Sold' offering turns the service lane into a website-ready merchandising photo booth designed to help dealerships reduce turnaround time from days to minutes.
Read More →
RockED, VINCUE Launch Inventory-Management Industry Certification
Offering for retail automotive dealers and operators is designed to address what the companies say is a lack of standardized and modern thought leadership in vehicle life-cycle management.
Read More →
Survey Shows What Technicians Want
Data gathered by the ASE Training Managers Council shows that service technicians prefer classroom or instructor-led training and hands-on lab work over online or self-led training.
Read More →
Automotive Service Pros Month Shifts to October
ASE is making the change to better align with two other sector observances that take place each year highlighting technicians' key role.
Read More →
Extreme Temps Hinder EV Efficiency
American consumers might be happy to know that their preferred hybrids are slightly less impacted by extreme temperatures than fully electric vehicles, according to a new study.
Read More →
Ban on Air Bag Inflators by Chinese Maker Proposed
NHTSA blames 10 deaths and two serious injuries on what its investigators believe were illegally imported air bag inflators. It’s taking public comments before deciding whether to ban them outright.
Read More →
Fix It Forward Program Helps Man Regain Mobility
Albuquerque consumer who suffered a life-changing injury regains the use of his vehicle after Fiesta Volkswagen's service team shared his story with DOWC Cares.
Read More →
ASE Connects Partners With Worldpac to Build Technician Numbers
The collaboration is intended to help auto dealerships, automakers and after-market shops further develop the technician pipeline.
Read More →
Not as Tickled With Tires
U.S. consumers are finding less satisfaction with the rubber that meets their roads, though their loyalty to tire brands has lately inched up.
Read More →
Auto Recalls Sank Last Year
2025 Sedgwick data indicate that the number of vehicles affected fell to its lowest point in more than a decade.
Read More →