- Kia is recalling nearly 23,000 examples of the EV9s from the 2024 and 2025 model years.
- The crossover may have second- and third-row seats that aren’t properly bolted down.
- A plant assembly worker error caused the recall, but less than 1% of vehicles are affected.
Kia is recalling 22,883 EV9s because their second- and third-row seats might not be bolted down. That’s a surprising and serious safety issue, but less than 1% of the population is expected to have missing bolts.
The recall impacts 2024 and 2025 models, and is being blamed on an “error by a plant assembly worker.” That’s an alarming oversight, but owners might be tipped off by a rattling noise or a feeling of looseness.
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Kia first became aware of the issue in September when a 2024 EV9 was reported to have missing third-row seat mounting bolts. A second model was found days later, which had missing bolts in the second- and third-row.
The company then conducted an inspection of 990 vehicles at a port, but none of them were found to have missing bolts. However, a third vehicle was identified in early December. This helped to prompt the recall and the automaker isn’t aware of any injuries or accidents related to the issue.
Owner notifications are slated to go out next month and dealers will inspect the crossover for loose or missing seat mounting bolts. If any problem is found, it will be addressed at this time.
While the recall focuses on second- and third-row seats, dealers will also examine the front row. The process is relatively straight forward as it involves removing bolt covers, checking to see if bolts are there, and then tightening them to 32.5 – 43.4 lb-ft (44.1 – 58.8 Nm) of torque.
