KGM’s missing airbags a marketing miscue
Safety body calls out KGM for marketing missing airbags in Musso electric ute.
Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety authority ANCAP has issued a rare consumer alert for the KGM Musso EV, citing differences in the vehicle’s actual safety specification and what the brand has been advertising.
The ANCAP advisory states that Australian customers who have purchased or are considering purchasing the battery-electric KGM Musso EV dual cab utility are advised that vehicles supplied since its market introduction in November 2025 are not fitted with either a centre airbag or driver knee airbag.
The safety features were marketed by KGM as being present on Musso EV vehicles as part of a standard suite of “8 airbags”, with references featured in their consumer vehicle specification brochure and website.
However, ANCAP has identified that the vehicle has been sold since launch without a centre airbag or a driver knee airbag.
A centre airbag – advertised by KGM as “front row far-side” or “front seat centre airbag” – is an occupant-protecting airbag generally positioned inboard within the driver’s seat back to reduce injury in side impact crashes.
A driver knee airbag serves to manage occupant movement and loading during a crash, and – where fitted – is housed in the lower portion of the dash beneath the steering column.
The ANCAP advisory is aimed to alert customers who have already purchased a Musso EV that the safety specification of their vehicles may differ to that advertised, and that the omission of these safety features may have an effect on occupant safety in front and side impact crashes.
KGM has been notified and advised ANCAP that its marketing materials were updated on 31 July to reflect actual specification of vehicles on sale.
ANCAP identified about 306 vehicles as being affected following the Musso EV’s launch in November 2025.
The safety organisation is urging KGM to initiate a production change and include the missing airbags on future Australian-supplied vehicles, advising existing customers with concerns to contact KGM Australia or their local KGM dealer.
The KGM Musso EV is a different model to the diesel-powered KGM Musso which has been on sale since 2019, with the diesel Musso not subject to the Consumer Alert. Neither vehicle has been safety rated by ANCAP.
KGM is a Korean car maker and was formerly known as SsangYong. Along with the Musso dual-cab ute, it sells the Rexton seven-seat SUV, and the Actyon and Torres medium SUVs.
The Musso EV is available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, with driveaway pricing starting at $60,000 for the Musso EV 2WD, $62,000 for the Musso EV 2WD Black Edge, and $64,000 for the Musso EV AWD.
Both the 4x2 and 4x4 models feature an 80.6kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery with the single motor 2WD producing 152kW/339Nm and the AWD 266kW/630Nm.
Driving range for the 4x2 variant is 420km per charge, with the AWD offering a slightly lower 380km.
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