Kia EV6: Seating and safety restraints / Air bag inflation conditions

Contents:

• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) care
• Additional safety precautions
• Adding equipment to or modifying your air bag-equipped vehicle
• Air bag warning label

Front airbags in the Kia EV6 deploy primarily during frontal collisions when the SRS sensors determine that the severity of the impact exceeds the deployment threshold. Multiple factors are analyzed, including crash force, impact direction, and vehicle deceleration.

Side and curtain airbags in the Kia EV6 deploy when the side-impact sensors detect a sufficiently strong side collision. Deployment depends on several variables including impact intensity, crash angle, vehicle speed, and sensor measurements.

The side curtain airbags in the Kia EV6 may also deploy when the rollover sensor detects a rollover or a potential rollover situation.

Although the front airbags are mainly intended for frontal impacts, they may also deploy during other types of collisions if the front impact sensors detect sufficient frontal force.

Likewise, side and curtain airbags in the Kia EV6 may activate during certain non-traditional impact scenarios if the sensors detect strong side forces. For example, side airbags or curtain airbags may deploy if the rollover sensors detect a possible rollover, even if a complete rollover does not actually occur. They may also activate if the vehicle experiences severe tilting while being towed or during other unusual motion events.

Even in situations where side or curtain airbags do not directly protect occupants from impact injuries during a rollover, they may still deploy to help reduce the risk of occupant ejection, particularly when passengers are wearing seat belts properly.

If the chassis or underbody of the Kia EV6 strikes large bumps, rocks, curbs, or uneven surfaces on rough roads, the airbag system may detect abnormal forces and deploy unintentionally. Always drive carefully on unpaved roads or surfaces not intended for normal vehicle travel.

Air bag non-inflation conditions

Air bag non-inflation conditions
	Airbags in the Kia EV6 may not deploy during certain low-speed collisions where the seat belt system alone can provide adequate occupant protection without additional assistance from the airbags.
	Front airbags generally do not deploy during rear-end collisions because the occupants move rearward rather than forward, meaning the front airbags would provide little or no additional benefit.
	Front airbags in the Kia EV6 may not inflate during side-impact collisions because occupants tend to move toward the side of the impact rather than directly forward.
	In angled or offset collisions, occupants may move in a direction where airbag deployment would not provide additional protection. Under these circumstances, the sensors may determine that deployment is unnecessary.
	Just before impact, heavy braking may cause the front of the Kia EV6 to dip downward and slide beneath a taller vehicle. In these underride situations, the sensors may not detect sufficient deceleration force for airbag deployment.
	Front airbags in the Kia EV6 may not deploy during every rollover accident if the SRS Control Module determines that front airbag deployment would not improve occupant protection.
	Airbags may not deploy if the Kia EV6 collides with a narrow object such as a utility pole or tree because the impact force is concentrated in a small area and the sensors may not detect the full collision energy.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) care

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in the Kia EV6 is designed to be virtually maintenance-free, and there are no SRS components that owners can safely repair, service, or modify on their own.

If the SRS airbag warning light in the Kia EV6 fails to illuminate during startup, remains continuously illuminated, or appears while driving, the vehicle should be inspected immediately by an authorized Kia dealer to ensure proper operation of the airbag system.

Any service involving the Kia EV6 SRS system — including removal, installation, inspection, or repair of airbags, steering wheel components, front passenger dashboard panels, front seats, roof rails, sensors, or related wiring — must only be carried out by an authorized Kia dealer. Improper handling of SRS components may lead to accidental airbag deployment or serious personal injury.

To clean the airbag pad covers inside the Kia EV6, use only a soft dry cloth or a cloth lightly moistened with clean water. Solvents, detergents, chemicals, or abrasive cleaning products may damage the airbag covers and interfere with proper airbag deployment performance.

If airbag system components must be discarded or if the Kia EV6 is being scrapped, important safety procedures must be followed. Authorized Kia dealers are trained in proper SRS disposal methods and can provide the necessary information and handling procedures. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the risk of injury, accidental deployment, or fire.

WARNING

WARNING

Additional safety precautions

To maximize occupant protection in the Kia EV6, always follow these additional safety recommendations whenever the vehicle is in operation.

• Never allow passengers to ride inside the cargo area or on folded rear seatbacks. All occupants in the Kia EV6 should remain seated upright with seat belts fastened securely and feet placed on the floor.

• Passengers should never change seating positions or move around while the Kia EV6 is in motion. Occupants who are not properly restrained during a collision or emergency maneuver may be thrown against the interior of the vehicle, other passengers, or ejected from the vehicle entirely.

• Each seat belt is designed for only one occupant. Sharing a seat belt between multiple passengers may result in severe injuries or fatalities during an accident.

• Do not use seat belt accessories or aftermarket positioning devices. Products claiming to improve comfort or change seat belt positioning may reduce the effectiveness of the Kia EV6 restraint system and increase the likelihood of injury.

• Passengers should never place hard, sharp, or heavy objects between themselves and the airbags. Carrying rigid objects on the lap, near the chest, or in the mouth may result in serious injuries if the airbags deploy.

• Keep all occupants away from airbag deployment zones. Everyone inside the Kia EV6 should sit upright with their back against the seatback, seat belt fastened, and feet on the floor. Sitting too close to the airbag covers may result in injury during deployment.

• Do not place or attach any objects on or near the airbag covers. Accessories attached to the steering wheel, dashboard, seat sides, roof rails, or airbag covers may interfere with proper deployment of the Kia EV6 airbags.

• Do not modify the front seats. Alterations to the front seats, seat tracks, upholstery, or seat structure may interfere with operation of the Kia EV6 side airbags and SRS sensors.

• Do not store items underneath the front seats. Objects placed under the seats may damage or interfere with the SRS wiring harnesses, Occupant Detection System, or sensor components.

• Never hold an infant or child on your lap while driving. In the event of a collision, the child could suffer severe injuries or death. Always secure children in an appropriate child restraint system or seat belt while riding in the rear seats of the Kia EV6.

WARNING

Adding equipment to or modifying your air bag-equipped vehicle

If you modify the Kia EV6 by changing the frame structure, bumper system, front-end components, side body panels, suspension height, or ride height, these changes may negatively affect operation of the vehicle’s airbag system and collision sensors.

Using non-genuine body parts or improperly installed accessories may alter impact energy distribution and interfere with correct airbag deployment timing in the Kia EV6.

Air bag warning label

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, U.S. only) requires manufacturers to install specific airbag warning labels on the sun visors and other areas of the Kia EV6 to help inform drivers and passengers about potential risks associated with airbag operation.