2008 KIA SPECTRA Air Bags Problems

The passenger air bag has failed. The dash light stays on due to issue and the air bag itself stays off per the light on the airbag on/off alert. I contacted the dealership who quoted me over $100 just to take a look at it, but was told this seems to be an issue with Spectras that they see pretty commonly.

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR STARTED FAILING WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2017 AND HAS SINCE COMPLETELY FAILED, WHICH HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO TURN ON. THE KIA DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $140 TO RUN AN AIRBAG DIAGNOSTIC AND FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT, WHICH MAY COST MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. MY CONCERN AT THIS POINT IS WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THE AIRBAGS WILL BE DEPLOYED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

Mileage: 120,000

YES SO MY AIR BAG LIGHT WHEN I GOT THE CAR WAS OFF AN IT JUST POPPED UP COUPLE WEEKS AGO! I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO TRY TO FIX IT AN STILL IS ON. I EVEN BROUGHT A NEW DRIVER SEAT AN IT STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. MY BE HOPE HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE TRAVELLING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER OF HER VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK, HEAD AND ARM INJURES WHILE THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED DEPLOY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB*DT*DT*JB

Mileage: 185,000

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

AIR BAG LIGHT (RED WARNING LIGHT) STARTED TO STAY ON CONSTANTLY. THIS MEANS THAT AIR BAG WILL PROBABLY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF CRASH (TO BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE WHEN SEARCHING ON GOOGLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE). BEFORE THIS LIGHT TURNED ON (RED LIGHT ON AIR-BAG), I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH "PASSENGER AIR-BAG OFF" LIGHT STAYING ON - DESPITE SOMEONE IS PRESENT ON PASSENGER SEAT (MEANING THAT AIR-BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AS COMPUTER IS NOT SENSING ANYBODY SEATING THERE). I WOULD NEED TO STOP-BY ON ROAD SIDE, THEN TURN VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY, ASKED A PERSON ON PASSENGER SEAT TO GO OUT - WAIT FOR A WHILE - AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE AND REQUEST A PERSON TO GET BACK ON SEAT. LATER ON, THIS WAY NO LONGER WORKING. COMPUTER RESET NO LONGER WORKING. FRIENDS WARNED ME THAT - IT IS SIGN OF AIR-BAG SYSTEM FAILURE AND KIA SHOULD GET IT FIXED (IT COMES UNDER SAFETY). THIS ISSUE IS CONSTANT IRRESPECTIVE IF VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

Mileage: 125,000

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON WHEN OCCUPIED. I'M AT ALMOST 60,000 MLS. THOUGHT I SAW SOMETHING ABOUT A RECALL SOMETIME AGO SO L WAS SURPRISED THAT I COULDN'T FIND ANY CONSIDERING THE COMPLAINTS L'VE BEEN SEEING. I DON'T HAVE TO MANY PASSENGERS AS MY CHILDREN WERE ALWAYS IN BACK AND JUST STARTED RIDING IN FRONT. SO I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON. JUST WANTED TO LET SOMEONE KNOW ANOTHER 08' S LIGHT IS LIT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKE AND STEERING LIGHTS INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCS SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TAKATA RECALL I AM CHECKING ON MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA AND THE AIR BAGS. MY CAR HAS BEEN WRECKED 3 TIMES. ONE OF THOSE ACCIDENTS MY DAUGHTER SLID OFF THE ROAD IN A SNOW STORM AND HIT A TREE. WITH ALL THREE ACCIDENTS THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. WAS JUST CONCERNED. I SEE NO RECALLS ON THE AIR BAGS. I'VE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT.

MY CAR KIA LIGHT ON FAILURE AIR BAG

Mileage: 126,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER MOVED A CERTAIN WAY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AND AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN TURNING ON CAR AND STAYED ON. WAS INSPECTED BY MECHANIC. WAS TOLD SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BROKEN AND SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY KIA FOR $1600. MILEAGE ON CAR AT TIME OF INSPECTION BY MECHANIC WAS 72,544 AND WAS INSPECTED ON 12/19/2015

Mileage: 72,544

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON ANYMORE WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON IN THE DASH BOARD. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN NAPLES, FL WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND ASKED HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD $120 TO HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND IF ANYTHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THEY WOULD INCLUDE IT IN THE PRICE. I ALSO ASKED IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINTS AND THEY SAID NO AND THAT SINCE IT WAS A "SECONDARY SAFETY SYSTEM" IT DID NOT REALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE AND FOUND ALMOST 100 COMPLAINTS. SOME STATING THAT DEALERSHIPS WERE TELLING THEM IT WOULD BE $1200-$1700 TO HAVE THE ENTIRE SEAT REPLACED. ALSO READ THAT ONE WAS TOLD THAT "EITHER THE AIR BAG WILL NOT GO OFF IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IT WOULD RANDOMLY GO OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD". WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING, I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I REFUSE TO PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX.

DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND NOTHING I TRIED--SCANNER, CALLING THE DEALER, AND INSPECTING IT MYSELF--SEEMS TO BE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. I SEE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING SIMPLER SYMPTOMS. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AS USUAL UPON IGNITION AND SHUTS OFF AS NORMAL. IT THEN COMES BACK ON AROUND 10 TO 20 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR STARTS, AND IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR. THE IT SOUNDS LIKE A WARRANTY ISSUE.

Mileage: 103,000

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. TIRE KINGDOM CHECKED IT AND SAID IT IS THE SUSPENSION AIR BAG. COST WOULD BE 2,700 DOLLARS.

THE PASSENGER DETECTION SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD SOMETIMES WORK ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING, OR WHILE THEY SHIFTED IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT THAT SAYS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF WOULD STAY ON (MEANING THE SENSOR WOULD NOT DETECT SOMEONE IN THE SEAT) AND THE RED ERROR LIGHT ON THE DASH WOULD STAY ON. NOW THE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK AT ALL (AND HAS NOT FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS). THIS WAS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND ASKING MY MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO AN UPHOLSTERER TO GET IT FIXED. THE ISSUE STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DUE TO THE ESTIMATED COST.

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SUFFERED FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON BOTH ARMS AND RIGHT HAND FROM CHEMICALS USED IN THE AIR BAGS. THE FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED AN INJURED RIGHT HAND AND SHOULDER FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

I WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN A PASSENGER TRUCK TURNED ILLEGALLY IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AS WOULD THINK IT SHOULD AT THAT SPEED. FORTUNATELY, MY SEAT BELT PREVENTED ME FROM GETTING A MORE SERIOUS INJURY. I DID RECEIVE A SEVERE BRUISE THAT TOOK MONTHS TO DISAPPEAR AND AGGRAVATED AN EXISTING BACK CONDITION. PERHAPS IT IS JUST AS WELL OR BETTER THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY SINCE THE AIRBAG MAY HAVE GIVEN ME A MORE SERIOUS INJURY. FORTUNATELY, I HAD NO PASSENGER AND THE OTHER PERSON IN THE TRUCK DID NOT GET HURT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I AM THANKFUL TO GOD THAT I AM ALIVE TODAY....UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER SAIID IF WOULD COST A $100 TO TELL YOU WHAT WAS WRONG.

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT APPEARS TO BE FAILING, SIMILAR TO OTHER KIA MODELS. THE LIGHT INDICATING THE AIRBAG IS OFF IS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. *TR

Mileage: 82,985

THE SENSOR LIGHT TURNED ON AND DISABLED AIRBAGS. WE TOOK IT TO THE ALL STAR KIA IN BATON ROUGE OFF OF SIEGEN LANE. THEY TOLD US IT WOULD BE 1549. TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED CORPORATE OFFICE SPOKE TO [XXX] , HE TOLD ME HE WOULD SEND THE CASE TO REGIONAL OFFICE SINCE I WANTED THEM TO PAY FOR IT. THREE DAYS LATER [XXX] CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST, WE DECLINED HE SAID HE WOULD THEN SEND IT TO THE REGIONAL OFFICE. I REMINDED HIM HE HAD SAID THAT THREE DAYS AGO. FINALLY I REACH A [XXX] IN REGIONAL WHO WAS NOT VERY PLEASANT AND SHE SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO THEY COULD NOT PAY FOR IT. I TOLD HER I WOULD NOT LET THIS GO. TODAY 4-13-15 SHE CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY PHONE SAYING THAT THE DEALER WOULD PAY HALF OF THE COST AND THAT I HAD 30 DAYS TO ACCEPT. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY CONSUMERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM SAME MODEL CAR. THEY RECALLED 146,000 THOUSAND OTHER CARS DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS FOR THE SAME THING. JUST WANT THEM TO BE HONEST AND DO THE RIGHT THING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 75,764

I HAVE A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. AT 140,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE, I AM NOW AT 158,000. I HAVE READ WHERE THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER I DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SO. . .UPDATED 07/21/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/2015 *JS

AIRBAG MAT SENSOR FAILED.SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON UNFORTUNATELY. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY AS OF YET. *TR

Mileage: 82,004

AIRBAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOT ON LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, KIA DOES NOT SELL JUST THE SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN. KIA HAS NO RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT/SENSOR COMBINATION FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL ALTHOUGH IT DOES FOR OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AND PROBLEM. KIA SHOULD HAVE AN AIRBAG SEAT/SENSOR RECALL. *TR ...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF

Mileage: 61,000

I OWN A 2008 KIA SPECTRA AND HAVE HAD AIR BAG SYSTEM ISSUES WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO,I HAD THE SEAT REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT CHANGE OUT THE MAT ITSELF. THIS CLEARED UP THE ISSUE AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WORKED FINE. FOR A WHILE. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN WITH AN ADULT MALE SITTING IN THE SEAT IT SAYS THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED. IF YOU PUSH ON THE SEAT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM WHILE SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE. WHEN YOU STOP PUSHING ON THE SEAM THE SYSTEM DEACTIVATES. I SPOKE WITH KIA DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE ITEM. YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW SEAT BOTTOM FROM THEM AT A COST OF $1397.45 PARTS ONLY. THE PARTS ARE ONLY COVERED UNDER A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE( ACCORDING TO KIA DEALERSHIP ) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALL OTHERS THAT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE OCS MAT? THEY SEEM TO BE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY FOR A PART THAT THEY KNOW AND HAVE CONFIRMED AS BEING DEFECTIVE AT THE COST AND SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER? *TR

Mileage: 102,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/22/14*LJ UPDATED 9/05/2017*CN

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SIDE HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN OCCUPANT IN SEAT. NOW NO LIGHT WORKING AT ALL. JUST RECENTLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE CAME ON. I TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY AIR BAGS HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES OFF BECAUSE THE OCCUPANT SENSOR PAD IS BAD IN PASSENGER SIDE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OVER $2000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT PAD. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH NO AIRBAGS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET NEW SEAT REPLACED. I LOOKED AT THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR

Mileage: 72,000

MY VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG "OFF" ILLUMINATING WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A HALF DOZEN OCCASIONS THAT I HAVE NOTICED AND GOES OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER ADJUSTS THEIR SITTING POSITION. THE VEHICLE SURGES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED. ADDITIONALLY BRAKE PEDAL HAS STUCK ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO CUT OUT ON OCCASION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THESE ALL HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO APPARENT RHYME OR REASON TO THEM. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY DEPENDING ON THE POSITION THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR WHICH WAS MAYBE A YEAR AGO, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANT UNTIL I STARTED DOING RESEARCH. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE KNOWING MY AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK! THE CAR LOT FAILED TO TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY UPSET AND THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY KIA OR THE CAR DEALERSHIP. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, NOW WE ARE BEING CHARGED OVER $1000 TO GET IT FIXED. IS THIS A RECALL ITEM? PLEASE REPLY. *TR

Mileage: 97,468

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CLUSTER AND THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WILL SOME TIMES FLASH ON AND OFF LIKE THE EXORCIST. EVEN WITH A 200 POUND ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS TO THE CHEST, RIGHT ARM AND LEFT ARM. THERE WAS ALSO INTERNAL BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS AND AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CLUSTER AND THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WILL SOME TIMES COME ON AND AT OTHER TIMES WILL NOT, WITH A 200 POUND ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $100 TO CHECK THE CODE. THE CODE INDICATES B1448 OCS FAILURE - MAT SENSOR. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS ONLY A FIVE YEAR 60,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS. PROBLEM IS YOU CAN NOT REPLACE JUST THE PART, YOU HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE SEAT BOTTOM AT A COST OF $800 - $2,000 DEPENDING ON THE DEALERSHIP THAT YOU SPEAK WITH. THIS IS A LARGE COST TO REPLACE EVERY 3 - 6 YEARS (DEPENDING ON AGE AND MILEAGE). KIA AND HYUNDAI HAVE HAD RECALLS BEFORE FOR THE SAME AIR BAG SYSTEMS IN OTHER VEHICLES BUT REFUSE TO RECALL THE PART IN THE SPECTRA. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

2008 KIA SPECTRA EX W/ 38,125 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND AFTER READING ALL THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY COMPLAINTS, 1. I WILL SUE THE CRAP OUT OF YOU RIP OFFS IF MY BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY 2. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AS LONG AS I LIVE. *TR

Mileage: 38,125

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS LEADING UP TO A FAILURE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA EX SUDDENLY CAME ON. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO A DEALER, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENTIRE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR COULD NOT TELL IF THERE WAS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS DEACTIVATED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE HERE: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2008/KIA/SPECTRA/AIR_BAGS/PROBLEM.ASPX. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED ISSUE, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA. *TR

THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE DURING A STATE INSPECTION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT, WHICH COST ME $2,231.93. I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTOSHOP, AND BY 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ALOT IN KIAS. I THINK THAT KIA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT THAT. I SEE THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. THIS MODEL SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 136,137

THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY SENSE THE FRONT PASSENGER, RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR BEING IN THE "OFF" MODE EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING THERE. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY A KIA DEALER, WHO SAID THE COMPUTER DID NOT NOTE ANYTHING WRONG. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID "WITH SOME KIA'S, THE SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT UNLESS THEY ARE SITTING DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT." THIS CONCERNS US GREATLY, AS, IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

I STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH MY SEAT BELT'S AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ISSUE I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEM'S TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIME'S AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING NOW MY SEAT BELT'S IN THE BACK OF MY CAR DO NOT WORK AT ALL I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THEN AFTER THAT I STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND AIR BAG THE LIGHT ON THE DASH NEXT TO THE CLOCK WOULDN'T GO OFF OR IT JUST FLICKERED AND THE AIR BAG ICON WITH THE PERSON ON IT CAME ON AND HASN'T WENT OFF I TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WELL AND THE SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM BUT NOW THAT THE LIGHT NEXT TO THE CLOCK HAS GONE OUT AND THE PERSON ICON WITH THE AIR BAG ON MY DASH JUST STAY'S ON I TOOK IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A PASSENGER SEAT FOR $1,900.00 BECAUSE MY WARRANTY FOR THAT PART WAS UP. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD FIX THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND I TRANSPORT SMALL CHILDREN IN MY CAR. *TR

I ACTUALLY OWN 2 KIAS SAME YEAR AND MODEL. AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF WHEN SOMEONE WOULD SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT. THEN IT STARTED STAYING ON ALL THE TIME ON SO IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR. NOW MY HUSBANDS KIA IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME, SO I HAVE TO RIDE WITH HIM AT MY OWN RISK BECAUSE I HAVE NO AIR BAG PROTECTION ON MY SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

VEHICLE HIT FROM REAR AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE TO DRIVERS SIDE AND VEHICLE IN FRONT. FIRE DEPT AT SCENE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED WHERE AIRBAG SENSOR IS AND SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF. DRIVER WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. CHILDREN IN BACK SEAT VERY MINOR INJURIES.

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING IN RAINY WEATHER, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FRONT DRIVER FRONTAL AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES FROM THE IMPACT AND WAS KILLED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 04/23/12 UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ SPOKE WITH CONSUMER, THERE WAS ONE DEATH AND NO INJURIES. UPDATED 05/151/2

Mileage: 41,000

MY SON HAS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA AND I HAVE A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. BOTH CARS HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THE CAR IS/HAS BEEN COLD AND MY WIFE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SHE WEIGHS APPROX 105 POUNDS AND WHEN THE CARS HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE COLD, THE SENSORS IN THE SEAT DO NOT REGISTER THAT SHE'S THERE. CONSEQUENTLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE KIA DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY THAT IF FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. BUT IT DOESN'T. IF THE WEATHER'S WARM, NEITHER CAR SEEMS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AS OFTEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED COLLAR BONES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,207. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12

Mileage: 103,207

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND LATER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL OWN HIS OWN FOR TREATMENT. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,800.

Mileage: 14,800

2008 KIA SPECTRA, PURCHASED NEW JAN 2008, 20K MILES, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ONLY GOES OFF (ACTIVE) WHEN A PERSON OF AROUND 200 LBS SITS IN IT. MY GRANDCHILDREN, SOME OF WHICH ARE 120 OR MORE LBS, DO NOT SET IT OFF. I HAVE BEEN MAKING THEM SIT IN THE BACK SEAT, BUT AFTER READING THE CRASH COMPLAINTS, WHERE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN. I DO NOT CARE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TO SEE IF THEY WILL WORK! NOT ACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL CAR. *KB

Mileage: 10,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Mileage: 32,000

WHEN MY SON, WHO IS 12 YEARS OLD SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (WEIGHS 103 POUNDS) THE LIGHT GOES OFF SOMETIMES OR STAYS ON SOMETIMES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, BUT WHEN MY FIANCEE WHO IS IN EXCESS OF 180 POUNDS SITS IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, THUS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, NOT CONSTANTLY. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG ACTIVATION SYSTEM DOES NOT ACTIVATE APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE SHE WOULD HAVE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY FOR ME TO ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM WHEN SHE IS A PASSENGER. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SHOWS "OFF' WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. MY WIFE IS 5 FT. EVEN, AND WEIGHS OVER 135 LBS. BUT THE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF FOR HER. I TRIED IT (I WEIGH AROUND 200) AND IT WENT OFF. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

INTENTIONALLY T-BONED AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

ON JANUARY 4TH 2010 AT 4:30AM ANOTHER DRIVER PUSHED ME OFF THE ROAD. AND MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA FLEW UP A HILL HIT TWO TREES AT FULL SPEED THEN WITH FULL FORCE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. WHEN MY CAR HIT THE LITTLE HILL ONLY MY DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED HOW EVER I WAS STILL GOING ABOUT 49 MPH. DURING THIS TIME OF HITTING TREES SOME HOW MY SEAT BELT CAME OUT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. AFTER MY STAY IN THE HOSPITAL I WENT TO SEE THE CAR AND NONE AND I MEAN NONE OF MY SIDE AIR BAG HAD GONE OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE. THE BACK OF MY CAR WENT AROUND A TELEPHONE POLE AND THE REAR AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE AIR BAGS IN MY SEAT DID NOT GO OFF I HAVE PERMANENT SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS. ALL AND ALL THESE KIA SPECTRA''S AND ALL KIA'S SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE ROAD IN 2008 I WAS IN A CAR WRECK AT MY FAULT AT 40 MPH AND MY DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. *TR

Mileage: 45,300

'08 KIA SPECTRA HIT ACROSS RIGHT FRONT & SLAMMED IN RIGHT QUARTER PANEL. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 6 AIR BAGS...NON OF WHICH DEPLOYED. WIFE SUFFERED FRACTURES TO ALL HER RIBS & STERNUM AND A BROKEN LEFT ARM. NINE DAYS IN SHOCK TRAUMA IN BALTIMORE, TWO WEEKS IN REHAB HOSPITAL AND NOW GETTING REHAB HELP AT HOME. *TR

Mileage: 26,200

ON OUR 2008 KIA SPECTRA THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MEANS THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2008. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER TESTED THE AIR BAG SENSOR BY PLACING A 200 LBS. MECHANIC IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR DIMMED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS FINE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER FAILED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. KIA REPLACED THE AIR BAG COMPUTER, SENSOR, AND SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE LABELED AS DEFECTIVE AND AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INAPPROPRIATELY. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A DEER AND ANOTHER CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP WAITING TO BE APPRAISED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

2008 KIA SPECTRA, THE PARKING LIGHTS COME ON BY THEIR SELF WHEN ITS AROUND 20* OUTSIDE AND WHEN ITS AROUND 80* OUTSIDE THE ALARM WANT SET THE LIGHTS JUST BLANK ON AND OFF. ALSO I HAVE A REALLY BAD RATTLE COMES FROM THE AIR BAGS SO IT SOUND IN THE DASH AND DRIVERS SIDE POST AIR BAG. HAVE TOOK THE CAR IN 3 TIMES AND A WEEK PER TIME, AND SO FAR NOTHING AS BEEN FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DOES NOT DIM WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SENDING A RE-CALIPER SWITCH TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. TWO WEEKS LATER, NO ONE HAS CALLED THE CONTACT REGARDING THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

Mileage: 500

ALL FOUR(4) SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AUTO INCIDENT INVOLVING 2008 MODEL KIA SPECTRA. *TR

Mileage: 3,805