Kia is issuing a recall for nearly 23,000 EV9 electric SUVs in the United States due to a potential safety issue. The problem stems from a factory worker at Kia’s plant in Korea who forgot to install seat bolts on some of the vehicles. Specifically, the second and third rows of seats may be missing bolts, which could cause the seats to detach in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The affected EV9s were assembled between September 25, 2023, and October 15, 2024, at the Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong assembly plant in Korea. Kia America will be conducting the necessary repairs free of charge to ensure that all the seats are properly fastened. Customers are advised to contact their dealer to determine if their vehicle is part of the recall, as the affected cars were not built in VIN order.
If customers notice any loose or rattling seats, it may indicate that bolts are missing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report suggests that the issue was a result of an error by a plant assembly worker. Despite the oversight, Kia took swift action to address the issue and prevent any potential safety hazards.
The recall was prompted by customer complaints, with three EV9 units in the U.S. identified as having missing or loose seat bolts. Kia conducted inspections on over 1,000 brand-new units and found no issues, but the three customer complaints prompted further investigation. It was discovered that an error by a plant assembly worker led to the missing bolts in the affected vehicles.
Overall, Kia is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its customers by addressing this issue promptly. With the necessary repairs and inspections in place, customers can have peace of mind knowing that their EV9s are safe to drive.