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A single missing screw compromised the safety of the Kia EV9's seats, resulting in a recall of 23.000 units manufactured in South Korea between September and October 2024, with a direct impact on the United States and European markets.
Can a small screw trigger a big problem? That's exactly what happened to Kia. A worker's oversight at its South Korean factory led to a massive recall of nearly 23.000 units of the Kia EV9, the automaker's flagship electric car. Let's understand how this incident impacts consumers and the market.
The missing screw problem
It sounds simple, but a bolt securing the second- and third-row seats was missing on several units. According to the NHTSA, this directly compromises security of the occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. Imagine being on a high-tech ocean liner like the EV9 and discovering that something so basic has been neglected. Not exactly the kind of reliability you expect from an 85 euro car, is it?
The Kia EV9 is the South Korean brand's flagship, designed for demanding markets such as the United States. With a starting price of 85.000 euros in Spain, the vehicle combines futuristic design and advanced technology. However, the low adoption in the Spanish market, with only 178 units registered in 2024, contrasts with the expected success in the United States, where the problem was identified.
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The origin of the problem
The glitch dates back to the Gwangmyeong plant, which has recently undergone an expansion to meet growing demand for electric cars. Between September 25 and October 15, 2024, human error allowed units to leave without the seat-mounting screw. This type of oversight, while rare, highlights the challenges of integrating new capabilities productive while maintaining high quality standards.
Kia's response and review
With nearly 23.000 cars potentially affected, Kia has acted quickly. All vehicles manufactured in that timeframe will be inspected and fixed if necessary. The automaker has yet to confirm whether units sold in Europe are included, but the U.S. action is a reminder that even big brands are not immune to human error.
Incidents like this reinforce the importance of rigorous quality control processes, especially in an industry as competitive as the automotive industry. As Kia seeks to regain the trust of its customers, the EV9 recall serves as a reminder that sometimes a small screw can cause big headaches.
The Kia EV9, despite your impressive qualities, had its reputation tarnished by a seemingly trivial mistake. The automaker’s quick response is a step in the right direction, but consumer confidence may take time to fully restore. After all, in the world of electric cars, the margin for error is as small as a missing screw.
I liked Kia's attitude in correcting the error immediately.
If it were here, they would put that screw in for inspection and would still charge you for it.
He spoke and said!!!