Recall 22V878 affects 76,918 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles for twisted side curtain air bags. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 76,918 2023 Sportage SUVs because the side curtain air bags were twisted during installation. A twisted air bag can deploy improperly and increase the risk of injury; Kia dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side curtain air bag in the 2023 Kia Sportage is mounted above the side windows, inside the roof rail. In a side impact or rollover, it is designed to deploy downward like a curtain, helping cover the glass area between the occupant and the side of the vehicle.
For NHTSA campaign 22V878, Kia says the curtain air bag module was assembled improperly at the vehicle assembly plant. The bag was twisted during installation, so it is not sitting in the shape it needs for a clean deployment. If it deploys from that twisted position, it can unfold incorrectly instead of covering the side window area as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner will not see a dash light, hear a noise, or feel a change in normal driving that confirms the curtain air bag is twisted.
Who's affected?
| 2023 Kia Sportage | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 76,918 |
Not every 2023 Kia Sportage is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A twisted side curtain air bag can deploy improperly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign that shows the air bag was installed incorrectly, so schedule the inspection soon and drive cautiously until it is done. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Kia Sportage is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free side curtain air bag inspection and reinstall, which fixes air bags that were twisted during installation.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 22V878 when you call.
- Ask the Kia dealer whether seating or driving precautions apply before your appointment.
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with questions and reference recall number 22V878 (Kia recall SC257).
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the side curtain air bags and reinstalls any that were twisted or incorrectly positioned during assembly. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers repair expenses already incurred for this issue. Bring prior repair invoices, payment records, or other documentation to the service desk so the dealer can explain how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 28, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| December 1, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 28, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 28, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V878?
Recall 22V878 covers 76,918 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles with side curtain air bags that were at risk of being twisted during installation. A twisted air bag can deploy improperly and increase injury risk. Kia dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2023 Kia Sportage is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sportage is included in recall 22V878. If it is, call a franchised Kia dealer and ask for the side curtain air bag inspection under recall SC257. Kia mailed owner letters on December 28, 2022. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair covered safety defects at no cost. Kia dealers will inspect the side curtain air bags and reinstall them as necessary free of charge under recall 22V878.
Is it safe to drive my 2023 Kia Sportage before the repair?
Kia did not issue a do-not-drive instruction for recall 22V878. Still, a twisted side curtain air bag can deploy improperly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free inspection and reinstallation if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my 2023 Kia Sportage used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sportage is included, then give recall number 22V878 or Kia recall number SC257 when you call a franchised Kia dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V878000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V878 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V878000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →