Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger; air bags: air bag/restraint control module (Kia)
Vehicle recall 21V-164. NHTSA received Kia Motors America’s report on Mar 11, 2021.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Kia Motors America’s report on Mar 11, 2021. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles.
The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: air bag/restraint control module.
What should you do?
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC207.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 142 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Kia Motors America.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 19, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 19, 2026.