Special Crash Investigations: On-Site Reported Lane Keeping Assist Issue/Air Bag NonDeployment Investigation; Vehicle: 2020 Kia Niro; Location: California; Crash Date: November 2021

This on-site investigation documents the reported lane keeping assist (LKA) issue/air bag non-deployment in a 2020 Kia Niro involved in a two-vehicle crash. The crash occurred on an afternoon in November 2021 in California. The crash site was an undivided highway. The Kia was being driven northbound in the right lane by a belted 17-year-old female with LKA reported by the driver to be activated. A 2012 Subaru Outback driven by a belted 65-year-old female was traveling southbound. According to the Kia driver, she changed lanes to the left and then the vehicle abruptly veered to the left. She attributed the unwanted motion to the LKA system. The vehicle crossed the double yellow center lines into the opposing travel lanes. The front plane of the Kia struck the right rear quarter panel of the Subaru. The Kia went out of control, departed the roadway and struck a no parking sign and a chain link fence. After the impact with the Kia, the Subaru rotated clockwise, tripped left-side-leading, rolled two quarter turns, and came to rest on its roof. Based on available interview information, it appears that LKA was probably activated while the Kia was traveling along the curved roadway. The driver responded to the perceived steering assist by sharply steering/overcorrecting in the opposite direction and entered the opposing lane of travel into the path of the Subaru. No air bag deployed in the Kia. LKA activation could not be verified by Kia representatives due to a previous inspection of LKA features by a mechanic hired by the owner.

• Record URL:
  • https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813608
• Corporate Authors:

  Dynamic Science, Incorporated

  Mission Viejo, CA  United States  92692

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 2024-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: 48p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Crash investigation; Lane keeping; Rollover crashes
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01925414
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT HS 813 608
• Contract Numbers: 693JJ918C000012
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 25 2024 11:40AM