Kia has revealed a recall affecting more than 22,000 electric vehicles in the United States due to absent seat mounting bolts.

This recall concerns 22,883 Kia EV9 models from the 2024-2025 model years. As per the company, some vehicles lack mounting bolts for the second and third-row seats, which could lead to the seats failing to adequately secure occupants during certain collisions, thus raising the possibility of injury. The Kia EV9, introduced in 2023, is the manufacturer’s inaugural three-row electric SUV.

Luckily, the defect does not present an immediate risk unless the vehicle is in a crash. Kia has stated that there have been no reports of injuries, accidents, fatalities, or fires linked to the missing bolts. The problem was traced to an assembly mistake made by an employee at a manufacturing facility in South Korea.

Nevertheless, Kia has warned that drivers may observe loose seats or hear rattling noises, which could suggest the defect.

Owners of affected vehicles will start receiving recall notifications on January 24. Those who believe their vehicle may be impacted can also reach out to Kia customer service for help. Owners of the recalled EV9 models will be directed to authorized dealerships, where technicians will check the seat mounting bolts, fit any missing ones, and ensure they are securely fastened—all at no charge to the customer.