Kia is issuing a recall for 21,290 units of its flagship EV9 electric SUV following the discovery of a component defect that could compromise front-passenger airbag safety, particularly for young children.
The problem
According to documentation released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue centers on the Occupant Detection System (ODS) mat bladder tube situated beneath the front passenger seat cushion. The ODS functions to identify when a child or child restraint is in the front passenger seat and automatically suppresses the airbag during a collision to prevent severe injury.
Investigators found that improper routing of the bladder tube leaves it vulnerable to being pinched when the front passenger seat is adjusted to its highest position. Over time, repeated seat adjustments can wear down and damage the tube, leading to a system failure. If damaged, the ODS may fail to suppress the airbag even when a child is present.
Federal authorities note that while safety guidelines recommend placing children in the rear seats, the defect violates safety standards and presents a significant risk to occupants.
Owners of affected vehicles may notice two distinct warning signs indicating a failed tube: an illuminated airbag warning light on the instrument cluster, or an active seatbelt chime that sounds even when the passenger seatbelt is properly fastened.
The recall specifically covers 2025–2026 Kia EV9s manufactured at the company’s Georgia assembly plant in the U.S. between 17 May 2024 and 13 May 2026. Vehicles built at Kia’s South Korea production facility are not affected.
While 21,290 vehicles are subject to the recall campaign, NHTSA estimates that only about 6 percent of the recalled units actually contain the physical defect. We await word on a recall for the EV9 in Canada.
The solution
Kia will contact owners of the affected EV9 models to schedule inspection and repair services at authorized dealerships.