Consumer alerts issued
ANCAP has extended a consumer alert it issued for the KGM Musso EV double-cab ute, which is available in Australia, to the marque’s Torres EVX, which has been sold in New Zealand as well as across the Tasman.
The original consumer advice issued on August 21 stated there was a safety specification difference affecting the Musso EV in that it has been supplied without a centre airbag.
Then, on August 25, that was expanded by ANCAP to its sister model, the Torres EVX, pictured above, a medium-sized electric crossover.
“Unlike the Musso EV issue, which affects Australian-supplied vehicles, the omission affecting the Torres EVX extends to Australia and New Zealand,” confirms ANCAP.
“Customers who have purchased or are considering purchasing the battery-electric Torres EVX are advised that vehicles supplied since its market introduction in March 2024 to New Zealand and in October 2025 to Australia are not fitted with a centre airbag.
“A centre airbag was marketed by KGM as being present on EVX vehicles as part of a standard suite of ‘eight airbags’, with references featured in its consumer vehicle-specification brochure and website.
“The Torres EVX is, however, only fitted with seven airbags. The Musso EV was advertised as having eight airbags with only six fitted.”
A centre airbag, which was advertised by KGM as “front row far-side” or “front seat centre airbag”, is an occupant-protecting airbag generally positioned within the driver’s seat back to reduce injury in side impact crashes, says ANCAP.
Customers who have already bought a Torres EVX are advised the safety specification of their vehicle may differ from that advertised, and the omission of the centre airbag may have an effect on occupant safety in side-impact crashes.
KGM Australia has confirmed its marketing materials have been updated to reflect the specification of EVXs on sale locally. The Torres EVX is no longer on sale as new in the New Zealand market.
“Petrol and hybrid variants of the Torres are not believed to be affected, with centre and knee airbags verified on locally available vehicles,” adds ANCAP, which encourages KGM to deliver a production change that would see a centre airbag fitted.
About 100 Torres EVXs are affected. These vehicles were sold to Kiwi customers from March 2024 and Australian consumers from October 2025. New Zealand sales of the Torres EVX started in March 2024 and ceased one year later.
To the end of July 2026, approximately 33 EVXs had been sold in Australia according to VFACTS, and 70 in New Zealand according to Motor Industry Association data.
Existing customers with concerns are advised to contact KGM or their local KGM dealer. ANCAP says: “Consumers considering purchasing a new or used Torres EVX should be aware of the model’s actual safety specification.”
‘Similar discrepancy’
After the consumer notice for the KGM Musso EV was issued on August 21, Autofile Online contacted ANCAP to find out if any KGM models in New Zealand were affected.
A spokesperson replies: “We understand the battery-electric Musso EV is not sold in New Zealand, and therefore the consumer alert [of August 21] does not apply in the NZ market. The Musso EV is a different model to the diesel Musso.
“We have, however, established there has been a similar specification discrepancy between the Musso EV’s sister model – the Torres EVX – which is sold in both Australia and New Zealand. We have just issued an extension to last week’s consumer alert outlining the EVX issue.
“We understand approximately 70 Torres EVXs were sold in New Zealand between its market launch in 2004 and 2025.”
Across the Tasman
Australians who have bought, or are considering purchasing, the battery-electric KGM Musso EV were advised by ANCAP on August 21 that the dual-cab utes supplied since its market introduction in November 2025 aren’t fitted with either a centre airbag or driver-knee airbag.
These safety features were marketed by KGM as being present on Musso EVs as part of a standard suite of “eight airbags”.
A centre airbag was advertised by KGM as “front row far-side” or “front seat centre airbag”. A driver-knee airbag serves to manage occupant movement and loading during a collision, and – where fitted – is housed in the lower portion of the dashboard beneath the steering column.
The omission of these two safety features was identified by ANCAP. Musso EV owners are advised the safety specification of their vehicles may differ to that advertised, and the omission may have an effect on occupant safety in front and side-impact accidents.
ANCAP has encouraged KGM to deliver a production change that would see centre and driver-knee airbags fitted to Australian-supplied vehicles.
About 306 vehicles are affected. ANCAP adds the Musso EV is a distinctly different model to the diesel-powered Musso, which has been on sale since 2019. The diesel Musso is not subject to the consumer alert. The Musso EV and Musso are unrated by ANCAP.
