Kia recall: Air bags
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
What could happen
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
The fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Vehicles covered
- Kia Forte 2021
- Kia K5 2021
- Kia Telluride 2021
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 21V164000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Kia Motors America
- Reported to NHTSA
- Mar 11, 2021
- Owners notified
- Mar 18, 2021
- Vehicles or items affected
- 142
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- –
- Part
- Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
- Maker's own recall number
- SC207
- Safety standard
- FMVSS 208
Notes
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.
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Kia recall: Electrical system Jan 26, 2026
- Kia recall: Fuel system, gasoline Nov 17, 2025
- Kia recall: Structure Jul 28, 2025
- Kia recall: Exterior lighting May 27, 2025
- Kia recall: Air bags Mar 7, 2023
- Kia recall: Power train Oct 11, 2022
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.