More than 72,000 Kia Rios recalled due to child safety issue
Kia Motors Corporation is issuing a recall for more than 72,500 model year 2006 through 2008 Kia Rio Vehicles made between February 20, 2005 and December 9, 2008, due to a safety concern related to a sensor below the passenger seat. Due to cracking that can occur under the front passenger seat in the occupant sensor, the vehicle’s Occupant Classification System may not report when there is a child in the seat, potentially causing airbags to deploy inappropriately during an accident. This recall is issued on a voluntary basis in compliance with a request from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because passenger side air bag deployment when a child is sitting in the passenger seat can increase the risk that the child will be severely injured in the accident. Kia has announced plans to begin notifying owners of affected vehicles of this potential safety issue related to the frontal sensor and air bag control module in the near future. Customers in possession of affected Kia Rios may return them to authorized dealerships where the seat sensor mats will be replaced free of charge. More information about this recall can be obtained by contacting Kia’s customer service department and referencing safety recall campaign number SC097, or by calling the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s toll free vehicle safety hotline and referencing NHTSA campaign identification number 12V244000. Reselling a vehicle with unresolved safety recall issues is prohibited under United States law.
