The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·12V244000·Announced 2012-05-31

Kia Recalls 2006-2008 Rio Vehicles Due to Front Passenger Airbag Sensor Defect

Kia is recalling 2006-2008 Rio vehicles because a front passenger seat sensor may crack, causing the airbag to deploy incorrectly if a child is present.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, specifically the risk of airbag deployment to a child passenger due to sensor failure.

Plain-English summary

Kia Motors Corporation is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Rio vehicles manufactured between February 20, 2005, and December 9, 2007. The recall involves approximately 72,568 vehicles.

The front passenger seat occupant sensor mat can experience fatigue cracking. If sufficient cracking occurs, the occupant classification system will cease to function and will not be able to detect whether a child passenger is in the seat. Consequently, the airbag may deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to a child in the front passenger seat.

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the occupant classification system seat sensor mat free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2012. Owners may contact Kia Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4542 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
KIA RIO
Brand
KIA
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Category
Vehicle — Airbag / Occupant Restraint
Hazard
Affected units
72,568

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • RIO

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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