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Kia Air Bag Recalls Cover Deployment and Child Detection Problems
Kia's air bag recalls repeatedly concern side curtain deployment and front passenger child detection. Certain 2023 Sportages and 2021-2023 K5s have side curtain installation problems, while certain 2018 Sorentos have a component that may detach during deployment. Certain 2023 Souls and 2024 Seltos face unexpected side curtain deployment. Child detection defects affect certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles and certain 2025-2026 EV9s. Other notices address damaged second-row side air bag wiring in certain 2023 Tellurides and air bag control unit circuit damage in certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, and Soul EV vehicles, 2017-2018 Fortes, and 2017 Forte Koups. Improper deployment is a recurring concern across the group.
Warning signs to watch for
- SC289: Side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the eight listed Kia air bag notices tells owners to stop driving or park outside. The notices describe injury risks from air bags that fail to deploy properly, a component that may detach during deployment, and front passenger child detection problems. SC289 also describes an injury or crash risk from unexpected side curtain deployment in certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. For these recalls, the notices do not tell owners to stop driving while awaiting the specified remedies.
What the free repair involves
Repairs are free: SC159 replaces both side curtains; SC207 replaces the OCS/ODS unit; SC226 inspects the ACU, then updates software or replaces it as necessary. SC257 and SC263 inspect and reinstall curtains as necessary. SC262 inspects harnesses, replacing or securing as necessary. SC289 inspects and replaces both curtain modules as necessary. SC379 inspects and replaces the ODS mat and bladder tube, ensuring proper routing as necessary.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 8 |
Models affected most
Where owners report air bags problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under air bags for the Kia models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Air bags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Forte | 16 |
| 2019 Kia Soul EV | 15 |
| 2019 Kia Soul | 15 |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV | 11 |
| 2018 Kia Soul | 11 |
| 2018 Kia Sorento | 10 |
| 2021 Kia K5 | 10 |
| 2022 Kia K5 | 9 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Kia EV9 air bag may not detect a child | high |
| Dec 22, 2023 | Kia Soul and Seltos Side Airbags May Deploy Unexpectedly | high |
| Mar 7, 2023 | Kia K5 Side Curtain Airbags May Not Deploy Properly | high |
| Jan 29, 2023 | Kia Telluride Side Air Bags May Not Deploy | high |
| Nov 28, 2022 | Kia Sportage Side Curtain Air Bags Twisted | high |
| Jan 25, 2022 | Kia Air Bags May Fail to Deploy in Crash | high |
| Mar 11, 2021 | Kia Telluride, K5, Forte Airbag Sensor May Fail | high |
| Dec 8, 2017 | Kia Sorento Side Curtain Air Bag Component Risk | high |
Common questions
Which Kia air bag recalls involve detecting a child seat?
SC207 concerns certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles whose OCS/ODS unit may not detect a front passenger child restraint. SC379 concerns certain 2025-2026 EV9s whose ODS may not deactivate the air bag for a child or child seat.
Which Kia recall involves air bags deploying unexpectedly?
SC289 covers certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Their side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly, increasing injury or crash risk. Dealers inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge.
Does the Forte air bag control unit recall require replacement?
SC226 includes certain 2017-2018 Forte and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. Dealers inspect the air bag control unit and either update its software or replace the unit as necessary. The notice specifies that these repairs are free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.