Kia Motor Company and its America Technical Center will soon be issuing a voluntary recall on certain Rio models. Due to premature wear-and-tear, the passenger seat occupant sensor mat may not function to its full potential. The system, which detects occupant weight to keep the air bag dormant if a child is seated, can experience fatigue cracking so much so that the Occupant Classification System will stop working. If this takes place, the Rio will be unable to tell if a child is seated and in the event of a crash, the air bag will deploy when it is unwanted.
The cars affected by the recall are 2006 through 2008 model year Rio models. If manufactured from February 20, 2005 through December 9, 2007, the compact Kia could be at risk. So far, the approximate amount of cars has yet to be made official. To remedy the issue, Kia will have certified technicians replace the Occupant Classification System seat sensor mat and do so at no extra cost to owners. Kia will begin the recall and notification during July of this year.
Source: NHTSA
