(WDNews) — Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to a wiring issue beneath the front passenger seat that could damage the floor wiring. This defect may prevent air bags and seat belts from working properly, posing a safety risk.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that damaged wiring can also cause side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly. The recall affects 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles.
To fix the issue, Kia dealerships will inspect, replace, and reroute the floor wiring assembly for free. They will also install protective wiring covers. Vehicle owners can expect to receive notification letters by mail starting in March.
This is not the first major recall for Kia and its parent company, Hyundai. In November, over 208,000 electric vehicles were recalled to address a separate issue with a charging control unit transistor that could fail, potentially leading to a loss of drive power and increased crash risk.
Owners are encouraged to contact Kia or their local dealership for more details on the recall.
