Air bags: air bag/restraint control moduleRecall 18V-363 · Kia vehicles
Kia Motors America recall 18V-363 covers 507,587 Kia vehicles for a air bags: air bag/restraint control module problem, reported to NHTSA on June 1, 2018. The manufacturer's latest report (2020 Q1) shows 40% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 18V363000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
The risk
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
The fix
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
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.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
40%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 55,734 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from February 24, 2009 to August 31, 2012. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- Air bags may be disabled during crashNHTSA