Kia Recalls 410K Cars, Minivans Over Airbag Problem

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Kia Airbag Recall Overview:

• Who: Kia is recalling 410,000 cars and minivans, including 2017-2019 Kia Sedona minivans, 2017-2019 Soul and Soul EV hatchbacks and 2017-2018 Forte sedans and coupes.
• Why: Kia says the cars and minivans contain airbags that might not deploy in a crash.
• Where: The recall is nationwide in the United States.

Kia is recalling more than 410,000 cars and minivans as their airbags may not deploy in a crash, endangering drivers. 

In a recall notice posted Jan. 25, Kia Motors America said it was recalling 410,619 vehicles in the United States due to the airbag issue. 

The recalled vehicles include 2017-2019 Kia Sedona minivans, 2017-2019 Soul and Soul EV hatchbacks and 2017-2018 Forte sedans and coupes.

Due to issues in the manufacturing of the Airbag Control Unit (ACU), contact between the ACU cover and a memory chip on the ACU’s circuit board can occur and cause damage resulting in an open circuit, the recall says. 

“If this condition occurs, the vehicle’s airbags will not deploy in crashes where deployment is necessary, thereby increasing the risk of injury,” according to the recall.

Drivers may notice that the airbag warning light is illuminated on the gauge cluster located behind the steering wheel.

Kia got the first report about the issue July 27, 2021, regarding a Sedona with an illuminated airbag warning light, and another in Sept. 2021.

Between Oct. 2021 and Jan. 2022, the South Korean automaker analyzed the condition and subsequently identified a soldering issue. Headquarters notified Kia North America of the investigation’s results, suggesting a recall campaign.

No Crashes, Injuries Related To Recall 

There have been no crashes or injuries related to this recall, but there have been 13 customer complaints and 947 warranty claims, according to documentation Kia provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The company is not currently facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.

Kia will begin notifying owners on March 21, 2022. Owners may also contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. 

If the Airbag Warning Light (ABWL) is illuminated and it’s due to the problem above, the dealer will replace the Airbag Control Unit with an improved one. 

If the ABWL is not illuminated, a software update will be installed to the Airbag Control Unit to ensure deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash.

“Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred pursuant to Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan filed May 11, 2020,” the company said. 

In Oct. 2020, Kia customers reached a settlement with the company after it was alleged that for almost 10 years, both Hyundai and Kia knowingly sold vehicles equipped with defective engines. 

According to the lawsuits, the manufacturers equipped certain vehicles with Theta II 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter gasoline direct injection engines, which plaintiffs alleged could seize, fail or even catch fire.

Is your car affected by the recall? Let us know in the comments!

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