Kia America has issued a major recall affecting 80,255 vehicles due to concerns over improper airbag deployment caused by damaged wiring. The recall, announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on January 25, affects several Kia Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid, and Hybrid models.
History Behind the Recall
The recall stems from damaged wiring that could cause airbags and seat belts to deploy improperly or, in some cases, for an airbag to deploy unintentionally. This issue significantly increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The recall applies to Kia Niro models across various powertrains, including fully electric (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and hybrid (HEV) versions. Improper airbag deployment is a serious safety hazard, as airbags that fail to deploy correctly or deploy unexpectedly can cause injuries to passengers or compromise protection during an accident.
Kia has not reported any crashes or injuries related to this defect at this time, but the company is urging all affected owners to schedule a recall service as soon as possible.
Which Models Are Affected?
The 80,255 recalled vehicles include:
- 2023-2025 Kia Niro EV
- 2023-2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
- 2023-2025 Kia Niro Hybrid (HEV)
Owners of these vehicles should immediately check their recall status and contact their nearest dealership for repairs. Read on for more information.
What Owners Need to Do Next
Kia has announced that dealers will inspect the wiring harness and repair or replace any damaged wiring at no cost to owners. If necessary, software updates will also be performed to ensure airbags and seat belts function correctly.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in February 2025. In the meantime, affected vehicle owners can:
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 for more details.
- Visit the NHTSA recall database at www.nhtsa.gov to check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for recall status.
How Kia Owners Can Take Back Control
While recalls have been communicated to owners, many continue to be unhappy with the solutions provided by automakers. These problems have the potential to escalate into further action, just like this – underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.
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