Kia has issued a recall for 22,883 of its EV9 electric SUVs due to missing mounting bolts for the second- and third-row seats. This safety issue affects both the 2024 and 2025 model years of the EV9, which was recently launched in the U.S. The affected vehicles were all assembled in South Korea, where a production error resulted in missing bolts. While Kia started building EV9s at its U.S. plant in June 2024, only a limited number of vehicles were produced there.
Safety Concerns from Missing Bolts
The most serious concern with this recall is the potential risk to passenger safety. Without the necessary bolts, the second- and third-row seats may not be properly secured in the event of a crash. This could lead to passengers being inadequately restrained, increasing the risk of injury during an accident. Additionally, owners might notice loose or rattling seats if the bolts are missing, which could indicate the problem.
Kia estimates that only about 1% of the recalled vehicles are actually missing the bolts. While the company has not been made aware of any accidents, injuries, or fatalities due to this issue, the automaker has decided to take immediate action to ensure the safety of its customers. The problem was discovered during a routine quality control inspection, prompting Kia to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and issue the recall.
What Are the Next Steps?
Kia is addressing the recall by offering free inspections and repairs. Dealers will inspect all affected vehicles and replace any missing bolts at no cost to the owners. This process will ensure that the seats are properly secured and meet safety standards. Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters from Kia on January 24, 2025, informing them of the recall and the steps they need to take.
In the meantime, owners can reach out to Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 for more information about the recall or to check if their vehicle is affected.
Other Recalls for the EV9
This isn’t the first recall for the Kia EV9. The company has previously issued two other recalls for this model. One recall addressed an issue with the remote parking system, affecting 12,400 vehicles from the 2024 model year. The other recall was related to a software issue that could cause the digital instrument cluster to fail in both the 2024 and 2025 models.
While the EV9 has experienced some setbacks, Kia remains committed to resolving these issues and ensuring the safety of its customers. The automaker’s quick response to the missing seat bolts shows their dedication to maintaining quality control and customer satisfaction.
