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NHTSA recall,

Kia EV9 Vehicles

The Kia EV9 may fail to deactivate the air bag when a child or child seat is in the front passenger seat.

Summary by Recall Canary from the NHTSA notice

What happened

Kia America, Inc. is recalling certain 2025-2026 EV9 vehicles because, 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 a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and a child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash. The recall affects 21,290 vehicles nationwide and was reported to NHTSA on August 21, 2026.

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.

More air bag defect recalls

What to do

If you own a vehicle in this recall:

  1. Check your VIN (vehicle identification number) at nhtsa.gov/recalls. VINs are searchable from September 4, 2026.
  2. Dealers will inspect and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube with a new one and ensure proper routing as necessary, free of charge.
  3. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning October 20, 2026. You 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.
  4. Watch your mail. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning October 20, 2026.

What you get Free repair

Full text from NHTSA

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.

Is your KIA affected?

These models and years may be affected.

  • EV9, model years 2025 to 2026

Your VIN confirms it. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver's side of the dashboard or on your registration card.

Check your VIN on nhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recall details

Reported to NHTSA
Sold in
Nationwide
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Component
Air bag defect
Campaign
26V545000
Vehicles affected
21,290
Repair cost
Free of charge
Manufacturer's recall number
SC379
Manufacturer phone
1-800-333-4542

All recalls from Kia America, Inc.

Timeline

  1. Reported to NHTSA

  2. Listed on Recall Canary

  3. Summary updated

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Summary by Recall Canary, written with AI · summary updated Oct 3, 2026 · primary source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (opens in a new tab)