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Kia Telluride Recall 21V164: Passenger Airbag May Not Turn Off for Child Seats

NHTSA campaign 21V164, reported March 11, 2021, 142 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may fail to recognize when a child safety seat is installed. As a result, the front passenger airbag may stay active when it should be turned off, which does not meet federal crash protection requirements.

If the front passenger airbag deploys in a crash while a child is in a rear-facing or forward-facing child seat in that position, the deployment can increase the risk of injury to the child. Children should ride in the rear seat whenever possible, and the front passenger seat should be used for a child only as the owner's manual directs.

Kia will notify owners, and authorized dealers will replace the occupant classification unit at no cost. Owners can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 (Kia recall number SC207), and can check their VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 21V164Kia Motors America
Component
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Kia Forte2021
Kia K52021
Kia Telluride2021