Kia recalls nearly 73,000 Rio models over airbag issue

From AB



Report Date: June 5, 2012 at 09:39 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number: 12V244000

Vehicle Make / Model: KIA / RIO
Model Year(s): 2006-2008

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC
Mfr's Report Date: MAY 29, 2012

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

Summary:
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES,
MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE
CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE
ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG
WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence:
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT
INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.

Remedy:
KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR
MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2012.
OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Notes:
KIA'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS SC097. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT
THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY
HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO
HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.