The recall affects more than 80,000 vehicles in the United States. The company said it took the action to remedy a wiring issue which could potentially lead to improper air bag deployment.
Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles because of an issue identified with wiring beneath the front passenger seat in some of its vehicles that can could potentially prevent vehicle airbags and seat belts from deploying properly.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the damaged wiring could also cause unintended air bag deployment.
The recall covers the 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and Hybrid vehicles.
US vehicle dealerships will inspect recalled vehicles and replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, for free. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers.
Second recall since November
It’s understood that vehicle owners affected will be notified in March.
The recall follows one in November last year, when both Hyundai and Kia recalled more than 200,000 electric vehicles to fix a transistor in a charging control unit that could stop charging the 12-volt battery.
At the time, the company said that this fault could cause loss of drive power and increase the risk of an accident.
