Kia recalls more than 80,000 Niro vehicles in the US due to airbag and seatbelt problems
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Kia America has announced a recall of 80,255 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid and Hybrid model vehicles manufactured between 10 August 2022 and 13 December 2024 and equipped with a manual front passenger seat. The reason for the recall is the risk of damage to the electrical wiring under said seat, which could result in the accidental deployment of airbags, seatbelts and deployment of side curtains.
Here's What We Know
Frequent adjustments to the front passenger seat can cause damage to the wiring underneath it, the automaker said in a report filed with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Such damage could also prevent safety systems from properly activating during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.
Kia dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the wiring harness as necessary, and install protective covers to prevent further damage. Notices to visit a service station will be sent to vehicle owners in March.
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Kia Niro Hybrid. Photo: Kia
This recall follows a service campaign in November, when Hyundai and Kia recalled more than 208,000 electric cars due to a defect in the control unit, which could fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery. This, in turn, could have caused the powertrain to lose power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Source: NBC News