ANCAP has issued a consumer alert for the battery-electric KGM Musso EV after identifying that Australian-delivered vehicles are not fitted with two airbags that had been advertised as part of the ute’s safety specification.
According to ANCAP, the Musso EV had been marketed as having a standard suite of eight airbags, including a centre airbag and driver knee airbag. However, neither of these airbags is fitted to locally supplied vehicles.
The issue applies to Musso EV dual-cab utes supplied in Australia since the model was introduced in November 2025.
ANCAP said the omission could have implications for occupant protection in frontal and side-impact crashes and has advised existing owners that the safety specification of their vehicle may differ from what was originally advertised.
A centre airbag is generally positioned on the inboard side of the driver’s seat and is designed to help reduce injuries in side-impact crashes. A driver knee airbag, where fitted, is located beneath the steering column and helps manage occupant movement and loading during a collision.
Around 306 vehicles affected
ANCAP estimates approximately 306 Musso EVs had been sold to Australian consumers by the end of July 2026.
The safety organisation said it notified KGM of the discrepancy, with the manufacturer subsequently updating its marketing material to reflect the specification of vehicles actually being sold. ANCAP notes that the affected advertising material had been amended by 31 July 2026.
ANCAP is also encouraging KGM to make a production change that would see both the centre and driver knee airbags fitted to Australian-delivered Musso EVs in the future.
Existing Musso EV owners who are concerned about the issue have been advised to contact KGM Australia or their local KGM dealer. Buyers considering a new or used Musso EV are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the vehicle’s actual safety specification before purchase.
Fleet buyers should check actual specification
The alert is particularly relevant for fleet operators that use published safety equipment when assessing vehicles for procurement, risk management and driver safety policies.
ANCAP safety ratings are commonly used by fleet buyers as one element of vehicle selection, but in this case the Musso EV is currently unrated by ANCAP.
ANCAP also stressed that the Musso EV is a separate model from the diesel-powered KGM Musso that has been sold in Australia since 2019. The diesel Musso is not affected by the consumer alert.
Neither the diesel Musso nor the Musso EV currently carries an ANCAP safety rating.
For fleets considering the electric ute, the alert reinforces the importance of confirming the specification of the vehicle being delivered rather than relying solely on brochures or earlier marketing material — particularly where specific safety equipment forms part of an organisation’s vehicle selection policy.
