2025–2026 Kia EV9 recall: passenger airbag detection issue

Kia is recalling 21,290 potentially affected 2025–2026 EV9 vehicles because the front passenger Occupant Detection System may fail to deactivate the airbag for a child or child seat. Improperly routed tubing under the seat can be pinched and damaged, increasing injury risk if the airbag deploys in a crash. NHTSA identifies the campaign as 26V545000.

What the official recall record says

Kia EV9: front passenger Occupant Detection System

Kia’s report says dealers will inspect the ODS mat bladder tube routing, replace the mat and tube when necessary, and ensure proper routing. The report also specifies replacement of the seat cover assembly. The recall work is free. Owner notification is planned to begin October 20, 2026.

Official record

• NHTSA recall ID: 26V545000
• Vehicles listed: Kia EV9 (2025–2026)
• Potentially affected: 21,290
• Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
• Report received: August 21, 2026
• Owner notification: Letters are planned to begin October 20, 2026.
• Defect: Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2025-2026 EV9 vehicles. 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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”
• Safety consequence: A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.
• Remedy: 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.

What owners should do next

Kia’s recall report reminds owners never to install a child restraint system in the front passenger seat and says children age 13 and under should ride in the rear. Contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 and reference SC379 for vehicle-specific inspection and repair arrangements.

RecallWire’s Kia EV9 analysis explains why the VIN, rather than model year alone, is the decisive check.

Use the official NHTSA recall lookup with your VIN to check individual recall status. A model-year listing alone does not confirm that a specific vehicle is affected or still needs repair.

Official sources

• Current NHTSA campaign data for 26V545000, checked September 16, 2026; includes the agency’s current status summary and affected-vehicle entries.

The manufacturer’s Part 573 filing linked above was submitted August 21, 2026. It records the filing at that date; later notification and remedy-status updates are identified from the current campaign data.

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