Kia Recalls 21K EV9s That May Not Disable AirbagsMarc Urbano - Car and DriverKia issued a recall for 21,290 EV9 electric SUVs because they could fail to detect a child or child seat and correctly disable the front passenger airbag.Recall documents show that the Occupant Detection System (ODS) mat bladder can be pinched or eventually damaged by moving the front passenger seat.The recall covers all 2025 and select 2026 EV9 models built at Kia's Georgia production facility from May 17, 2024, through May 13, 2026.Kia issued a recall covering 21,290 EV9 electric SUVs because of an issue with the front passenger detection system that could fail to disable the passenger airbags. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers all 2025 and a subset of 2026 EV9 models built at Kia's Georgia plant from May 17, 2024, through May 13, 2026.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverAccording to the recall documents, the issue stems from the Occupant Detection System's (ODS) mat bladder tube, which is located under the seat cushion. In some cases, the ODS mat bladder tube can be pinched when the passenger seat is moved to its highest position due to improper routing by a supplier. The documents show that repeated adjustments of the height and tilt of the front passenger seat can eventually damage the ODS to the point of failure.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe associated documents detail two potential warnings that your car may be affected by the issue. The airbag warning light may illuminate on the instrument panel, and the passenger seatbelt warning chime may activate without anyone sitting in the passenger seat.Kia has already notified dealers of the issue and will begin reaching out to affected owners on October 20. Owners will be instructed to bring their vehicle to a dealership for inspection and, where necessary, a technician will replace the ODS and seat cover with proper routing. Owners concerned that their vehicle may be included in the recall can check on the NHTSA website, found here, starting on September 4.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029