Kia America has announced a recall affecting more than 80,000 Niro electric and hybrid vehicles in the United States due to serious safety concerns related to CNN. The recall targets the models from 2023 to 2025, specifically the Niro, Niro EV, and Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), following issues highlighted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat is at risk of becoming damaged, which could hinder the deployment of airbags and seat belts in the event of a collision. In some instances, this malfunction could lead to an unintended side curtain airbag deployment, significantly increasing the risk of injury during an accident. According to NHTSA reports, “Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash,” making this a critical safety matter.

Kia discovered the potential issue in November 2024. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries related to this defect in the vehicles so far. To address the situation, Kia dealers will be responsible for inspecting the vehicles, replacing and rerouting the affected wiring, and installing covers at no cost to vehicle owners. The company will begin notifying affected customers by mail starting on March 14, 2025.

This recall comes on the heels of a past incident where Hyundai and Kia collectively recalled over 208,000 electric vehicles due to a fault in the charging control unit that could lead to loss of drive power, posing similar safety risks. Owners are encouraged to contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 or visit the CBS News website for more details.

For additional information, Kia's recall number for this safety issue is SC332.