NEW YORK (AP) - Kia America, the automaker, has announced a recall affecting over 80,000 vehicles due to potential safety risks associated with floor wiring located beneath the front passenger seat. This damaged wiring poses a serious risk, as it can compromise the proper functioning of airbags and seat belts during a vehicle collision, thereby endangering the safety of passengers.

According to the documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the flawed wiring could lead to unintended deployments of side curtain airbags. This malfunction not only increases the likelihood of injury to occupants but also suggests a critical flaw in the vehicle’s safety systems.

The specific models included in this recall encompass 80,255 units of the 2023-2025 Kia Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. This extensive recall highlights the ongoing concerns around the safety features in modern vehicles and underscores the importance of maintaining high manufacturing standards.

To address these issues, Kia has stated that authorized dealers will conduct thorough inspections of the affected vehicles. They are prepared to replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly as needed, all at no cost to the vehicle owners. Additionally, the dealers will be installing protective wiring covers to prevent future occurrences of similar wiring damage. Kia plans to notify the affected vehicle owners through letters that will be mailed out in March.

This current recall follows a previous announcement from November, where both Hyundai and Kia recalled over 208,000 electric vehicles. The earlier recall was initiated to fix a transistor in the charging control unit, which was susceptible to damage, subsequently leading to a failure to charge the 12-volt battery. This failure could result in a loss of drive power, significantly raising the risk of a vehicle crash.

In conclusion, Kia's proactive approach in addressing the recall and ensuring the safety of its customers reflects the automaker’s commitment to vehicle safety and customer satisfaction. Owners of the affected models are encouraged to stay informed about the necessary steps to remedy the situation and to prioritize their vehicle's safety features.