A faulty sensor mat found in the passenger seat of their Rio sedan has prompted the Korean automaker to issue a large scale voluntary recall.

Kia is recalling more than 73,000 Rio vehicles made between February of 2005 and through December of 2007 (the 2006 to 2008 model years) over a senor that is susceptible to cracking from general wear and tear, which can lead to a number of undesirable results.

The faulty sensor, known as the occupant classification system, would become unable to recognize a child in the passenger seat, making the vehicle unable to adjust the airbag deployment settings in the case of an accident.

If a child is detected in the front seat, the system will not deploy the airbag. If the sensor fails to identify this, the airbag will still fire off in a collision.

An airbag can be extremely dangerous if a young child is sitting in the front seat. As they are designed to protect full sized adults, the bag will not present a buffer from the impact of a collision but a projectile that can seriously harm such pint sized occupants.

The company will begin notifying owners of the recall next month. Affected vehicles can be taken to any authorized Kia dealer for a replacement of the sensor at no cost. Anyone with questions or concerns about the recall is encouraged to call the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline toll free at any time.

If you possess one of these cars in question, it is important to remedy the issue as quickly as possible. Driving around with a known defect is an unnecessary risk that does nothing but exposes you to constant danger. If you receive a notice for the recall, take your car to your local Kia dealership immediately.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident as a result of a faulty piece of equipment in your vehicle, you need help right away. The Law Office of Robert Koenig has the knowledge and experience required to help you get the level of compensation you deserve. In looking for legal representation, you should seek the services of a well-trained Las Vegas accident lawyer who can successfully fight for your rights and accurately represent all of your concerns.

You need an accident lawyer with a competent understanding of all of Nevada’s state laws and who can correctly navigate you through the legal process. We will work as hard as possible to best serve you and the community you live in. Call the Law Office of Robert Koenig today for your free evaluation!