Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger (Kia)
Vehicle recall 26V-545. NHTSA received Kia America, Inc.’s report on Aug 21, 2026.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Kia America, Inc.’s report on Aug 21, 2026. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 23, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.
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.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger.
What should you do?
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 21,290 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 23, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Kia America, Inc..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 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 23, 2026 and checked Oct 23, 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 23, 2026.