Kia Recalls Over 80,000 Vehicles Due to Airbag and Seat Belt Defects: What California Consumers Need to Know
If you own a 2023-2025 Kia Niro, you may be affected by a serious recall that could put you and your passengers at risk. Kia recently announced a recall of more than 80,000 vehicles due to a defect in the floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat. This flaw can cause damage to the wiring, potentially preventing airbags and seat belts from deploying properly in a crash. Learn more about this latest Kia recall below, and if you own or lease a new car under warranty in California that can’t be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts, contact Nita Lemon Law Firm to speak with a skilled and experienced California lemon law attorney.
Which Kia Models Are Affected?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall impacts the following models:
- 2023-2025 Kira Niro EV manufactured from August 10, 2022, through December 13, 2024, equipped with a manual front passenger seat (21,909 units)
- 2023-2025 Kia Niro Hybrid manufactured from June 21, 2022, through December 17, 2024, equipped with a manual front passenger seat (49,535 units)
- 2023-2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid manufactured from July 11, 2022, through December 16, 2024, equipped with a manual front passenger seat (8,811 units)
If you own one of these vehicles, it is crucial to check whether your car is included in the recall. You can do this by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA recall website or by contacting your local Kia dealership.
The Safety Risk: Why This Recall Is Important
The recalled Kia vehicles have a defect in the floor wiring harness located beneath the front passenger seat. Over time, the wiring can become damaged by repeated sliding adjustments of the manual front passenger seat, potentially leading to malfunctions in the advanced airbag system and seat belt pretensioners. In a crash, these safety features are critical in preventing serious injuries. If they fail to deploy correctly, passengers may face an increased risk of harm. Possibly malfunctions could include 1) failure of airbags or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy, 2) failure to suppress the passenger side front airbag when a child or small individual occupies the seat, or 3) the inadvertent deployment of the passenger side curtain airbag.
Kia has acknowledged this defect and is urging affected vehicle owners to bring their cars to an authorized dealer for inspection and repair. The company has stated that dealers will inspect and replace the wiring assembly in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. The manufacturer will also install additional protective coverings over the rerouted writing.
What Should Kia Owners Do?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, take the following steps immediately:
- Check Your VIN: Visit the NHTSA recall website or contact Kia directly to confirm if your vehicle is affected.
- Schedule a Repair: Contact an authorized Kia dealer to schedule a free repair as soon as possible.
- Avoid Unnecessary Risks: If you suspect your vehicle’s airbags or seat belts may not function correctly, limit driving until repairs are completed.
Does the Kia Recall Qualify Under California’s Lemon Law?
California’s lemon law protects consumers who have purchased or leased defective vehicles that cannot be adequately repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. If your recalled Kia has been repeatedly serviced for safety-related defects and the issue persists, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund.
To qualify under the California lemon law, your vehicle must:
- Have a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety.
- Have undergone multiple unsuccessful repair attempts for the same issue.
- Be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period.
If you have already taken your Kia in for repairs due to airbag or seat belt issues before this recall was announced, your case may be even stronger.
How Nita Lemon Law Firm Can Help
If your Kia continues to experience issues even after a recall repair, or if you have faced repeated safety defects with your vehicle, you may have a lemon law claim. At Nita Lemon Law Firm, we protect California consumers from the consequences of defective vehicles and hold manufacturers accountable.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. You deserve a safe and reliable vehicle—let us help you get the compensation you are entitled to under California law.
