2009 KIA SPECTRA Air Bags Problems

78 complaints about Air Bags

78
Complaints
17
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Air Bags Complaints (78)

Feb 25, 2020

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WE THINK THE OCS SENSOR MAT IS BAD. KIA HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2006-2009 TO HAVE A OCS SENSOR MAT REPLACED FOR FREE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.

Sep 9, 2019

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAG "OFF" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED NEXT TO THE CLOCK AND IS ALWAYS IN THE 'OFF', POSITION. BOTH LIGHTS REMAIN IN THAT CONDITION WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY MODE (IN PARK) OR DRIVING IN MOTION. A SAFETY INSPECTION SHOWED A B1448 CODE.

Mileage: 120,000

Dec 4, 2018 Crash

LETTER FROM SENATOR ROBERTS RE: INQUIRY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUTE IN REGARDS TO HER MOTHER'S 2009 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOO MUCH FORCE AND INJURED HER MOTHER. *AS SEE ALSO ODI 11109673. *DSY THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER DIED AS A RESULT OF INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAG DURING THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS

Jul 16, 2018 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO TWO FENCES, FOUR TOMBSTONES, AND A STONE PILLAR IN A CEMETERY. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SEND A FIELD INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 70,000

Jul 5, 2018 Crash

MY MOTHER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR ON 3-6-18. MY MOM, [XXX], DIED 3-13-18 FROM INJURIES INFLICTED BY AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING. IT BROKE ALL HER FACIAL BONES INCLUDING HER JAW. IT TORE AN ARTERY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BRAIN AND BRUISED THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BRAIN. BRAIN SURGERY WAS DONE BUT SHE COULD NOT RECOVER FROM HER INJURIES. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. I HAVE READ ARTICLES THAT KIA BAGS WILL DEPLOY WITH GREATER FORCE IN SOME ACCIDENTS. THE WRECK WAS HER FAULT. THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT OK FOR HER TO BE KILLED BY THE AIRBAG. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS WRONG AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR *TT *TR SEE ALSO ODI 11155008. *DSY

Mileage: 86,000

Sep 23, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I OWN A 2009 KIA SPECTRA I'VE HAD IT SINCE 2014. I MOVED & ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR WAS STATIONARY I WENT TO GET CAME BACK IN MY CAR & NOTICED IT WAS ON. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE WHERE I LIVED YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. NOT TOO LONG AFTER MY SEATBELT KEPT LOCKING & IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS IT COMPLETELY LOCKED ON ME. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING & I TOOK MY CAR TO GET A VEHICLE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE STATE I WILL BE LIVING IN YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I WOULDN'T PASS THE INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON & MY SEATBELT BEING LOCKED. I CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS & THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE ME PAY ALL THESE DIFFERENT PRICES TO FIX IT THE LEAST I'VE BEEN TOLD IS ABOUT $700 JUST TO INSTALL A NEW SEATBELT. I'M A SINGLE MOM & I CAN'T AFFORD THIS..THIS IS UNSAFE !! I WAS LOOKING UP HOW TO FIX MY SEATBELT & CAME ACROSS A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE & I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILD AS WELL AS MYSELF.

May 30, 2017 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SWERVED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER TRYING TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM LACERATIONS TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD THAT REQUIRED SIX STAPLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

Dec 27, 2016

AIR BAG LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING,GOT LETTER FROM KIA SAYING IT IS UNDER WARRENTY AND DEALER WILL NOT FIX

Mileage: 30,000

Oct 18, 2016

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT.

Mileage: 112

Oct 13, 2016

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON NOW ON MY DASH NEAR MY SPEEDOMETER. IT ALSO ILLUMINATES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS 'ON' AND 'OFF' WHILE MY HUSBAND IS SITTING THERE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW FOR THE DRIVER'S DASH LIGHT, AND 2 MONTHS FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR. I'VE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS, NO ACCIDENTS, AND NOW A LEGALLY REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURE APPEARS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. THAT IS A HORRIBLE INVESTMENT, AND SHOULD NOT BE LEGALLY OK.

Mileage: 106,000

Jul 5, 2016 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Mileage: 54,000

Apr 7, 2016 Crash

WHEN COMMUTING ON A FREEWAY GOING THE SPEED LIMIT (65) APPROACHING A BEND, A CAR SUDDENLY APPEARED AROUND THE BEND THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN IN THE LEFT LANE. UNABLE TO SWERVE BECAUSE OF A LARGE TRUCK NEXT TO ME, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, ONLY TO HIT ICE AND BEGIN SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLY ON THE FREEWAY. FINALLY, THE CAR HIT COMPLETELY HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP, CAUSING A GIANT BRUISE FROM THE IMPACT, BUT EVEN AT THE SPEED OF HITTING THIS CONCRETE BARRIER, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOTALLED AND TAKEN AWAY, BUT I FEAR FOR OTHERS SAFETY THAT THIS MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH OTHER KIA SPECTRAS.

Mileage: 100,000

Apr 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE15031 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mar 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Mar 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Feb 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE OCS MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE OCS MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,755. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ

Mileage: 96,755

Feb 23, 2016

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY, 60000 MILES ON CAR. AFTER READING ALL COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE IT SEEMS TO ME IT IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO REPAIR PROBLEM.

Mileage: 60,000

Feb 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SENSOR MAT AND SEAT BELT CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,957.

Mileage: 127,957

Jan 14, 2016

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I WENT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE COST OF +2000 USD. AFTER DOING MY SEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE ARIBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOR A WHILE AND THEN REMAINED ON. IT IS A MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION THAT IS CAUSING THE WHOLE ARIBAG SYSTEM TO NOT DO ITS WORK. THE COST IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO HANDLE AND I BELIEVE THE COMPANY SHOULD FIX IT.

Mileage: 108,000

Jan 14, 2016

THE LIGHT WENT ON AS THE VEHICLE PASSED 100K MILES. THE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. NOT FOR LONG, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON SINCE THEN. WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY ESTIMATED MORE THAN 2K USD TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE SENSOR MAT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT AND TO REPLACE IT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE NO DOUBTS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THIS KIA DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING REPORTING ON THE SAME ISSUE AND THE POOR DESIGN THAT CAUSED THE MAINTENANCE PRICE TO BE SO HIGH (ALMOST HALF THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE).

Mileage: 108,000

Jan 12, 2016

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAINS "OFF" EVEN WHEN OCCUPIED. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $1900 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT WHICH IS WHERE THE SENSOR IS KEPT. BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR IS NOT EVEN $5000, SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO SPEND THAT MUCH FOR AN ENTIRE SEAT WHEN THE WHOLE CAR IS BARELY WORTH THAT MUCH! AS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN I FEEL LIKE KIA SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS

Mileage: 57,000

Jan 8, 2016

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE (BOUGHT IT USED), AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR BEGAN WORKING ERRATICALLY. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OVER $1500 TO FIX, THOUGHT I WAS A VICTIM OF BAD LUCK BUT READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE THAT SEEM TO INDICATE IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF KIA. WAS TOLD AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THIS IS FIXED.

Mileage: 90,000

Jan 7, 2016

THE PASS. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH A LITTLE WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WILL COST $1800 TO FIX AND THERE IS NO RE-CALL ON THIS. ALSO THEY SAID NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK UNTIL FIXED. A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE OR HAD THIS PROBLEM.

Dec 28, 2015

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER, IT WAS THE OCS SENSOR MAT. IS GOING TO COST $1000-$2000 FOR A NEW SEAT WITH A NEW OSC! THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 53,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER SEAT ISN'T/ HASN'T BEEN USED OFTEN, AS THIS IS PRIMARILY A CAR THAT I DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK BY MYSELF, ALONE. OF COURSE IT ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL KIA! SAFETY NEEDS TO MATTER!

Mileage: 53,000

Dec 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND CAUSED THE PASSNEGER SEAT TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Dec 11, 2015

MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE TUNE OF OVER 2 GRAND! I THEN CONTACTED THE KIA COMPANY DIRECTLY TO ASK FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. AFTER WAITING A WEEK FOR THE PROMISED 48 HOUR CALL BACK I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE EVEN THOUGH I RARELY HAVE ANYONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY ALSO COULD NOT TELL ME WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY OR NOT IF SOMEONE WAS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

Dec 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

Nov 16, 2015

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. CAR HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES BUT OUT OF WARRANTEE. DEALER WANTS $109. JUST TO SCAN IT. MULTI COMPLAINTS ONLINE.

Mileage: 25,000

Oct 30, 2015

I NOTICED INVESTIGATION: PE 15-031 WHERE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT IS FAILING ON A NUMBER OF KIA SPECTRA MODELS. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW WEEKS AGO SO I TOO THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO DETERMINE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT WAS BAD. DIAGNOSTIC CODE B1448. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT AND UNTIL ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN MY WIFE STARTED RIDING TO WORK WITH ME I RARELY EVER HAD ANYONE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SO THE MAT SHOULDN'T HAVE SEEN MUCH USE. AS OF TODAY YOUR ODI RESUME SAYS THERE WERE 43 COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THAT TO 44 IF YOU WOULD LIKE. SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS A PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO INFERIOR PARTS LIKE THIS.

Mileage: 52,000

Oct 1, 2015

VEHICLE HAS 115000 MILES AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS IS A $2000 REPAIR ACCORDING TO INFO ON LINE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS . WHY HASN'T NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL? DOES IT TAKE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY FIRST?

Mileage: 115,000

Sep 28, 2015

AIRBAG LIGHT POPPED ON MONTHS AGO WITHOUT FORCE OR ANY ACCIDENTS

Mileage: 150,000

Sep 25, 2015

2009 KIA SPECTRA AIR BAG WON'T TURN OFF. CAR HAS 48000 MILES. AFRAID TO TAKE IN FOR REPAIR AFTER READING OF COST TO REPAIR.I JUST DON'T THE FUNDS TO GET IT REPAIRED.

Mileage: 48,000

Aug 19, 2015

MY CAR IS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA EX. IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2011 FROM ENTERPRISE CAR SALES. THE MILEAGE AT PURCHASE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46K. IN MAY OF 2015, AROUND 74K MILEAGE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF AND ON SPORADICALLY. ONE DAY THE AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER TURNED OFF. AT THIS POINT, I DECIDED TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED MY A CERTIFIED KIA DEALER. THE AIR BAG CODE RECEIVED FROM INSPECTION WAS B1378 WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE 'SIDE AIR BAG - RESISTANCE TOO HIGH'. THE INSPECTOR THAN HOOKED UP THE AIR BAG TO SIDE AIR BAG CONNECTOR AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OUT INDICATING THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT TO FIX THE ISSUE I WOULD NEED TO OBTAIN AN ENTIRE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE CURRENT DRIVER'S SEAT (COST PART & LABOR: $ 694.00, BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE) OR PURCHASE A BRAND NEW AIR BAG DIRECTLY FROM KIA FACTORY (COST OF PARTS & LABOR: $1341.73) I HAVE SEEN THAT OTHER'S ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES IN OTHER FORUMS. THIS ISSUE WITH DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR KIA IN THE PAST WITH CARS OF SAME YEAR BUT DIFFERENT MODEL. I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP IF I WAS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT THIS AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY.

Mileage: 74,000

Aug 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Mileage: 38,000

Aug 4, 2015

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I DID TAKE MY CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT, IN ORDER TO FIX THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME ABOUT $2,000 BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IN FEBRUARY OF 2014, WAS WHEN THE INCIDENT FIRST STARTED TO HAPPEN AND IS WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AROUND WITH MY AIR BAG SYSTEM MESSED UP. I DID LOOK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT I DID NOT FIND ANY AT THAT TIME. I DID MAKE A COMPLAINT ON SOME OTHER SITE BUT I JUST LEARNED ABOUT THIS SITE WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND JUST NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEMS....UPDATED 10-26-15 *BF *CN

Aug 3, 2015

MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN FLASHING OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND I HAD THOUGHT THAT IT WAS WHEN THERE WAS NO WEIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TO ACTIVATE IT. AT SOME POINT AFTER THAT, IT STOPPED FLASHING AND WAS ON CONSTANTLY. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR ITS YEARLY INSPECTION AND IT WAS NOT PASSED DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD BEEN DISABLED. THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS WILL COST ME OVER $2000 TO FIX AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY DAY TO DAY DRIVING. I WAS INFORMED THAT IF I WERE TO GET INTO A COLLISION THAT MY AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THE KIA COMPANY ITSELF AND WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THIS IN FULL MYSELF. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY WILL NOT RECALL THIS PART AND PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND AND SAFETY TO ITS CUSTOMERS.

Mileage: 71,000

Jul 1, 2015

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF UPDATED 11/03/2017*CN

Mileage: 47,000

Jun 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED SPORADICALLY, WHICH INDICATED A MALFUNCTION. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FLASHED OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE, BUT RATHER THE WEIGHT CAPACITY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN

May 29, 2015 Crash

I AM FILING THIS FOR MY MOM. SHE REAR ENDED A CAR WHO HAD STOPPED THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AT A GREEN LIGHT TO LET A VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING LOT. MY MOTHERS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHE RECEIVED A DOUBLE OPEN FRACTURE TO HER RIGHT ANKLE AND A FRACTURED STERNUM AND INTENSE CHEST TRAURA. SHE WAS LIFE FLIGHTED TO A HOSPITAL IN WV RUBY MEMORIAL SHE UNDERWENT SURGERY AND THEY SAVED HER RIGHT FOOT THEY WHER UNSURE IF THEY COULD SAVE AND TALKED BEFORE SURGERY OF POSSIBLE AMPUTATION

Mileage: 17,689

May 25, 2015

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY KIA SPECTRA STAYS ON AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $1600 FOR THE B1448 CODE WHICH IS PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND MY CAR IS UNDER 80000 MILES. I THINK THAT AMOUNT IS REALLY HIGH FOR A SENOR TO FIX AND KIA SHOULD FIX AND RECALL THE AIRBAG ISSUE SINCE IT IS A HIGH RISK FOR THE SAFETIES OF AMERICAN LIVES. NHTSA SHOULD MAKE KIA RECALL THE AIRBAG ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

Apr 29, 2015

DRIVING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW DAYS LATER IT WENT OFF BUT A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT IT CAME BACK ON ONCE I STARTED THE CAR AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

Apr 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

Apr 21, 2015

AIR BAG SENSOR MAKES A WORKING LIGHT STAY ON. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY KIA DEALERSHIP IT SAID MANUFACTURER FAILURE. THEY SAID THINGS HAPPEN AND IT'S AFTER 5 YEARS SO IT'S MY JOB TO FIX THIS $2000 PROBLEM. ...UPDATED 07-08-15 *BF UPDATE (JULY 9, 2015): PER THE COMPLAINANT, THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS CAUSING A MECHANICAL FAILURE WARNING. PER A KIA PARTS ADVISOR: "THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR THAT IS PART OF THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM THAT IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS FAILED IN THE PAST ON THESE CARS AND WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT. ASSUMING THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR, THE PRICES FOR THIS PART RANGE FROM $1000.00 TO $1500.00 DEPENDING ON THE TRIM LEVEL AND OPTIONS FOR YOUR CAR." *SC THE CONSUMER STATED IN MAY, AFTER A YEAR OF FIGHTING WITH KIA AND THE VEHICLE FAILING INSPECTION, KIA GAVE HER FREE PASSENGER SEAT TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR CALLING IT AN ACT OF GOOD WILL. THEY CHARGED HER $230 FOR LABOR WHEN SHE WAS FIST QUOTED $130. THE SEAT COST $2,000. THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD A DEFECT ERROR AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, WHICH WAS THE REASON THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 07/16/15*JB

Mileage: 160,000

Mar 26, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

Dec 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 07/13/15*BF

Mileage: 97,000

Aug 21, 2014

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS GOING OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH. NOW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I LIVE IN TEXAS AND NEED TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BUT IT WILL NOT PASS DUE TO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEING ON. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT SHOULD BE ON; THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY TYPE OF WRECK OR DAMAGE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP REQUIRES ME TO HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY SENSOR. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT FOR KIA TO NOT BE RESPONSIBLE THE FAULTY SENSOR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT TO BE REPLACED THAT WILL COST ALMOST $1800.00 DOLLARS TO FIX JUST SO I CAN GET THE CAR INSPECTED SO IT CAN BE DRIVEN. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

Aug 11, 2014

A FEW MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON MY 2009 SPECTRA. IT WENT FROM FLASHING ON AND OFF TO ALTERNATING FLASHING WITH THE AIRBAG SYMBOL ON THE DASHBOARD. FINALLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF COMPLETELY AND THE AIRBAG WARNING SYMBOL STAYED ON. DUE TO SEVERAL FAMILY TRAGEDIES I JUST NOW HAD THE TIME TO TAKE IT TO MY KIA DEALER. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WHICH IS BUILT INTO THE SEAT ITSELF AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1765.00. I HAVE ONLY 18,450 MILES ON THE CAR BUT BECAUSE I HAD IT LONGER THAN 5 YEARS, I WILL HAVE TO PAY IT MYSELF. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR HAS A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE WHICH WILL DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS ANYWAY BUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT FIXED. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS BUT AM AFRAID MY LIFE INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HAD NOT HAD THE AIRBAG ISSUE CORRECTED. *TR

Mileage: 17,500

Jul 19, 2014

WE BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2009 KIA SPECTRA (USED) FOR HER 16TH BIRTHDAY IN 2012. THE MILEAGE WAS AT ABOUT 50,000. IN JUST TWO YEARS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SO MANY THINGS ON THIS CAR IT IS UNBELIEVABLE, THIS CAR WAS JUNK WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT. THIS MORNING SHE TOLD ME THAT HER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY. SHE HAD A PASSENGER AND STILL THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. ALSO THE TPS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR EVEN WITH REPLACING THE TIRES AND RIMS IT STAYED ON. KIA SHOULD DEFINITELY HAVE A RECALL ON THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY A LEMON AND IF KIA CARES ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW LOOKING TO REPLACE THIS KIA BECAUSE WE DON'T FEEL OUR DAUGHTER IS SAFE AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS IN THIS FORUM. THANKS KIA, WE WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING YOU MAKE EVER AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

Jul 8, 2014

WHEN TURNING ON VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHENEVER A PASSENGER SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG IS WORKING. UPON HAVING IT CHECKED IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS A FAULTY AIR-BAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS WOULD MEAN NO PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG WOULD DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE AIR-BAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED $1,600.00 AND NOT COVERED BY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY OR RECALL. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED? *JS

Mileage: 95,000

Jul 2, 2014

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO MORRIE'S MINNETONKA KIA DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE OCR SEAT MAT FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. QUOTED $1,941.02 FOR REPAIR NEEDING A REPLACEMENT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY PAR KI88202-2F703390. THE SEAT OCR FAILURE SHOULD NOT DISABLE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND WITH THE VERY EXPENSIVE FIX I BELIEVE MOST ARE JUST DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT REPAIR. I THINK KIA SHOULD RECALL OR PROVIDE A PART TO DISABLE THE SWITCH MAKING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERABLE. THIS WOULD BE MUCH SAFER THAN DISABLING THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. NOT UNDER 100,000 MILE 10 YEAR WARRANTY. THIS SEAT WAS RARELY USED AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. LESS THAN 10% OF MILES HAD ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

Jun 26, 2014

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER, FOLSOM KIA IN FOLSOM CA. WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PART # 88202-2F7031931. COST WITH DISCOUNT APPROXIMATELY 1750.00. INFORMED THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. UPON DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. THOSE ARE FROM PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT COMPLAINT FORUMS. I SUSPECT A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY SITUATION, THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

Apr 25, 2014

MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BE LOOKED AT THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST OVER A GRAND TO REPAIR IT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF I DON'T REPAIR IT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING OR THEY MAY NOT EVEN DEPLOY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE MY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN ERROR ON THE MANUFACTURES PART. I FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM! IF THIS DOES NOT GET FIXED I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA. WHY WOULD I BUY A VEHICLE IF I WON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT? *TR

Mileage: 80,000

Feb 18, 2014

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHTS A STAYING ON. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD HAVE THEM DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IF THERE IN A ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ MANY POST ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH KIA'S AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON SUCH SAFETY COMPONENTS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

Feb 15, 2014

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, I NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY CAR, THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED AND THEN REAPPEARED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED IT TO BE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT MAT FAILURE. THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT AT A COST OF $1,900 INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR, AND TAX. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH INTO THIS MATTER, I DISCOVERED THIS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. I'M SURPRISED THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON BEHALF OF KIA MOTOR CORPORATION. THIS LEAVES MANY PEOPLE WITH A DECISION TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT AT AN EXORBITANT PRICE OR TO DO NOTHING AND DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR. THE PRICE OF ONE CAR SEAT IS NEARLY HALF THE VALUE OF THE ENTIRE RESALE VALUE OF THE CAR. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IF THEY WANT REPEAT CUSTOMERS IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Mileage: 85,250

Feb 1, 2014

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA A FRIEND GETTING IN THE REAR SEAT TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE OUTSIDE HANDLE BROKE-OFF. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE FRONT INSIDE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR HANDLE STOP WORKING. ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER ON JAN-31-2014 THE FRONT OUT-SIDE DRIVERS-SIDE HANDLE BROKE-OFF. NOW NO WAY TO WITH NO WAY TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WITH THREE HANDLES BROKEN THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THESE HANDLE. IF THERE IS NOT A RECALL, THERE SHOULD BE ONE. OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS, CAM-SHAFT SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE AIR-BAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS CAR IS JUNK, KIA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF BUILDING IT AND SELLING IT FOR $16,000 TO $17,000. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

Jan 29, 2014 Crash Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. BOTH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 MILES.

Mileage: 71,000

Jan 23, 2014

RECENTLY, IN OCTOBER 2013 AT 75,217 MILES, I HAD IT SERVICED DUE TO AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE. THE LIGHT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT MAT CUSHION. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE REPAIR INVOLVING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT ITSELF. THE COST OF WHICH WAS $1,717.11 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. BOTH MY MECHANIC AND I WERE SHOCKED THAT THE SEAT ITSELF COST $1,330.80 AND WAS ONLY MANUFACTURED BY KIA, THUS ELIMINATING THE OPTION TO SHOP AROUND TO SEEK THE BEST PRICE. MY SPECTRA WAS OUTSIDE WARRANTY DUE TO ITS MILEAGE SO THE EXPENSE WOULD FALL TO ME. I'VE BEEN SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED NOTING THIS EXACT SAME SAFETY PROBLEM, YET NO RECALL WAS ISSUED LEAVING MANY SPECTRA OWNERS WITH THE CHOICE I HAD TO MAKE: DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE OR PAY A VERY LARGE REPAIR BILL. *TR

Mileage: 75,217

Oct 17, 2013

I'M HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY PASSENGER AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH WILL NOT GO OFF AND THE ON/OFF FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THE CENTER CONSOLE WILL NO LONGER SHOW IF IT IS ON OR OFF, WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE OR NOT. I TOOK MY CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT KIA STOPS THE WARRANTY'S ON SAFETY FEATURES AT 60,000 MILES. THEN TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW PASSENGER SEAT FOR $1, 700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

Apr 9, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR..UPDATED 07-08-15 *BF UPDATE (JULY 9, 2015): THE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES, REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT. WHEN THE SYSTEM WORKED, THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AT THE END OF 2012, HOWEVER THE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE KIA CAR DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTOMATIVE DEPARTMENT THAT IT MEANT THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NO LONGER WORKING AND WE SHOULD BRING IT IN. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT OPERATES THE AIR BAG WAS NO LONGER WORKING, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT AN ITEM UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST ALMOST $2,000. THE CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME.*SC

Mileage: 75,000

Mar 16, 2013 Crash

I WAS VISITING MY FIANCE IN UTAH WHEN A TAN CAR HIT MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. WE BOTH WERE PUT INTO A SPIN AND HE HIT ME A SECONDARY TIME. MY CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOTALED OUT AND LABELED AS BEYOND SALVAGE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS MISSING AND THERE IS SEVER ENGINE DAMAGE. THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID I NEEDED TO CONTACT KIA AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE AIRBAG FAILURE TO DEPLOY. KIA SAID MY CAR IS BUILT TO COLLAPSE A CERTAIN AMOUNT BEFORE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. THEY ALSO SAID SINCE I WAS PUT INTO A SPIN MY CAR DID NOT DECELERATE FAST ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAGS, BUT SINCE I HAD DECELERATED WHILE SPINNING THAT'S WHAT PREVENTED THEM FROM DEPLOYING UPON THE SECOND IMPACT. THEY ONLY INVESTIGATED MY CAR VIA PHOTOGRAPHS AND MY VERBAL STATEMENT TO THEM. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM IN MY CAR, BUT ACCORDING TO THIS WEBSITE THERE ARE MULTIPLE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURES WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR. I ASKED KIA IF THEY WOULD PUT WHAT THEY HAD CONCLUDED IN WRITING AND AT FIRST THEY SAID YES BUT NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT WILL TAKE A WHILE. I AM CONCERNED. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

Feb 27, 2013

I OWN A KIA SPECTRA 2009 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND STAYS ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT THAT IS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT (WHICH INDICATES IF ON/OFF) IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. CALLED KIA AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE THE WARRANTY NOT COVER THIS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE COST OF THE SEAT REPLACEMENT IS GOING TO $1637.31. BY THE LOOKS OF THIS IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN MODELS FOR KIA. I CAN NOT JUSTIFY THIS AMOUNT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT REPLACEMENT. WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IT WOULD BE FORWARDED TO A MANAGER TO SEE IF ANY ASSISTANCE COULD BE OFFERED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT. IN THE STATE THAT I LIVE IN THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

Jan 26, 2013

I PURCHASED MY KIA SPECTRA NEW IN 2009. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD VARIOUS TIMES WHEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD BE "OFF" SUGGESTING THAT NO ONE/ THING OVER 45 POUNDS WAS LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. DESPITE HAVING OTHER PEOPLE ACCOMPANY ME IN MY CAR, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ONLY WENT OFF WHEN I HAD A 6'1" 190 LB TEENAGER IN MY CAR. MORE RECENTLY (AND FREQUENTLY) I HAVE HAD A 165 LB 6' MALE FRIEND RIDING WITH ME. HE ALWAYS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT HAS SHOWED "OFF" DESPITE FREQUENT ATTEMPTS BY MY FRIEND TO CHANGE HIS POSITIONING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. EVEN AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, AND LATER GETTING BACK IN, THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO SHOW AS IF THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS EMPTY.. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST, OR SLOW I WAS DRIVING, THE RESULTS WERE STILL THE SAME. I BOUGHT MY KIA DUE TO IT'S HIGH SAFETY RATING. *TR

Mileage: 19,000

May 22, 2012

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS OVER A 4 TO 5 MONTH PERIOD TO START AROUND THE START MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, NEXT MY SEAT BELT SENSOR SHORTED OUT, AFTER THAT MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED I HAD NOT ONLY FAULTY WIRING IN MY VEHICLE BUT THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED AND TOOK FOUR YEARS TO BE CAUGHT UNFORTUNATELY THIS ALL DIDN'T OCCUR IN MY FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND I COULDN'T CLAIM THE LEMON LAW. BECAUSE NOW THE COMPANY EXPECTS ME TO REPLACE ALL OF THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT THEY INSTALLED INTO A VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME WAS "SAFE AND RELIABLE" AND NOW I'M RIDING IN VEHICLE THAT I HAD SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR KIA TELL WAS "SLAPPED TOGETHER AND I WAS LUCKY MY CAR HADN'T FALLEN APART YET". AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE CD PLAYER IN MY VEHICLE DECIDED THAT IT TO WAS GOING TO SHORT OUT AND NOW THIS IS ANOTHER REPAIR I'M SURE ILL BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR. *TT

Mileage: 68,000

May 22, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *BF

Mileage: 65,000

Feb 9, 2012 Crash

ON 12-13-11, AT 6:15PM MY WIFE (DRIVER) AND DAUGHTER (PASSENGER) WERE INVOLVED IN A MVA IN WHICH THEY WERE "T" BONED BY A 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN. AT NO TIME DID THE SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, AND THIS SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED GLASS TO IMPLODE ON MY WIFE IN HER SCALP AND HAIR. CONTACTED KIA USA ([XXX]) WHO STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT A NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT, THEREFORE THE AIR BAGS ACTED ACCORDINGLY. I FIND THIS TO BE RIDICULOUS! AND I'M BEING NICE HERE. REQUESTING A FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THIS FAILURE OR FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY WE ARE LED TO BELIEVE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED CAUSED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE OTHER DRIVER WAS CHARGED AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS MATTER NEEDS ATTENTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

Oct 31, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS UNDER THE REQUIRED WEIGHT FOR THE SEAT TO DETECT OCCUPANCY AND ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME AIR BAG PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/07/11

Mileage: 43,000

Aug 23, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT; THEREFORE, IT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE OCS MAT WHICH ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE OCS MAT REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE OCS MAT AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF AN INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,800.

Mileage: 64,800

Mar 2, 2011

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN A FRONT PASSENGER IS SEATING IT IS STILL INDICATE " AIRBAG OFF" WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG IS ON OR NOT. *TR

Mileage: 26,900

Jan 3, 2011

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT ALWAYS SENSE THERE IS A PASSENGER SETTING IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEAT ONCE AND IT DID WORK OK FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS THEY NOW REFUSE TO WORK ON IT TILL THEY SEE PROOF OF IT NOT WORKING. THEY CLAIM COMPANY POLICY WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO WORK ON IT. I FEEL THEY ARE PUTTING MY PASSENGERS IN THE WAY OF HARM AND COULD BE LIABLE FOR INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 13,096

Apr 19, 2010

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TO THE ON AND OFF POSITION INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT MUST BE POSITIONED PROPERLY BEFORE THE SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR THE AIRBAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD BEEN CONTINUOUS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 2009. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Mileage: 50

Apr 5, 2010 Crash

I WAS DRIVING A KIA SPECTRA THAT WAS RENTED FROM ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR. A CAR RAN A STOP SIGN IN THE RAIN AND I HIT THE CAR. THE CARS COLLIDED AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE, WITH THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE KIA HITTING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF THE SUBARU OUTBACK. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE BUMPER OF THE KIA TO BE BROKEN AND PUSHED IN ALL ALONG THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND IT BUCKLED THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF THE SUBARU COLLAPSED INWARD TOWARDS THE CAR AND THE CAR SPUN ABOUT 90 DEGREES ON IMPACT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG IN THE KIA DID NOT GO OFF, AND IT SEEMS THAT AT 25 MPH A DIRECT HIT ON THE BUMPER SHOULD MAKE IT. I AM TURNING THE CAR BACK INTO ENTERPRISE, AND THEY CAN LOOK INTO THE AIRBAG REPAIR. *TR

Feb 24, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WE TALKED WITH THE SALESMAN [XXX] AT MARTIN SWANTY KIA ON 07/24/2009 ABOUT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY , HE SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT! SO WE BOUGHT IT. WE WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 08/12/2009 AND TALKED WITH SERVICE PERSONNEL AND WE WERE TOLD TO RETURN WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS OFF SO THEY COULD VERIFY IT! WE WENT TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 09/10/09 WHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SHOWED THEM THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.THEY RETURNED THE CAR THAT AFTERNOON WITHOUT REPAIRING IT AND HANDED US AN INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SAID THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WOULD NOT FUNCTION UNLESS A PERSON OF APPROPRIATE SIZE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I ARGUED WITH THE SERVICE PERSON SINCE I AM 5' 8" AND WEIGH 210 POUNDS, BUT HE STILL REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE KIA SPECTRA HAD A LONG HISTORY SEVERAL YEARS OF RECALLS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CALLED KIA AT 1 800 333-4542 ON 09/10/09 AND TALKED WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. SHE OPENED A CASE NUMBER [XXX]AND TOLD US TO CALL HER NEXT TIME WE HAD A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED. SHE SAID SHE WOULD CALL THE DEALER AND WE COULD GO THERE AND HAVE IT REPAIRED! I CALLED THE NUMBER ON 12/22/2010 AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE PERSON AND TOLD HER MY WIFE WAS ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER WITH OUR 24 YEAR DAUGHTER [XXX] IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WAS OFF. THE REPRESENTATIVE CALLED THE DEALER! THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT AND SAID THAT IT REQUIRED A LARGER PERSON IN THE FRONT SEAT AND MY WIFE SHOULD RETURN WHEN SHE HAD A LARGER PERSON IN THE FRONT SEAT. MY DAUGHTER [XXX] IS 24 YEARS OLD; SHE IS 5, 9 AND WEIGHS 125 POUNDS! MY WIFE WENT AGAIN TO THE DEALER ON 01/05 /2010 WITH OUR DAUGHTER [XXX] IN THE FRONT SEAT, SHE IS 5'8" 22 YEARS OLD AND SHE WEIGHS 140 POUNDS AND THE AIR BAG WAS OFF! THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. *TR

Mileage: 142

Jan 20, 2010 Crash

FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE LAST, MY DAUGHTER (17 YRS OLD AND A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL) WAS RIDING WITH HER FRIEND AND WAS HIT BY A CAR IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA. THE CAR MY DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN, A 2009 KIA SPECTRA, WAS TOTALED. YET, DESPITE THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK. HENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, HER NOSE WAS BROKE, SHE RECEIVED BLOOD IN THE VENTRICLES OF THE BRAIN AND SHE IS EXTREMELY SORE, TO SAY THE LEAST. FUNNY THING IS THAT THE DRIVER'S DAD TOOK THE BRAND NEW CAR (5,000 MILES AND 3 MONTHS OLD) TO THE DEALER OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS TOLD THAT A PASSENGER HAD TO BE 100 LBS AND BE SEATED JUST RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO ENGAGE. THE EMT/FIREMEN WHO RESCUED BY DAUGHTER CAN ALL VOUCH FOR THIS. HOW IS IT THAT KIA CAN ADVERTISE 'AIRBAGS' AS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN THEY ONLY DEPLOY RANDOMLY? *TR

Jan 20, 2010 Crash

FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE LAST, MY DAUGHTER (17 YRS OLD AND A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL) WAS RIDING WITH HER FRIEND AND WAS HIT BY A CAR IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA. THE CAR MY DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN, A 2009 KIA SPECTRA, WAS TOTALED. YET, DESPITE THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK. HENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, HER NOSE WAS BROKE, SHE RECEIVED BLOOD IN THE VENTRICLES OF THE BRAIN AND SHE IS EXTREMELY SORE, TO SAY THE LEAST. FUNNY THING IS THAT THE DRIVER'S DAD TOOK THE BRAND NEW CAR (5,000 MILES AND 3 MONTHS OLD) TO THE DEALER OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS TOLD THAT A PASSENGER HAD TO BE 100 LBS AND BE SEATED JUST RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO ENGAGE. THE EMT/FIREMEN WHO RESCUED BY DAUGHTER CAN ALL VOUCH FOR THIS. HOW IS IT THAT KIA CAN ADVERTISE 'AIRBAGS' AS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN THEY ONLY DEPLOY RANDOMLY? *TR

Jan 20, 2010 Crash

FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE LAST, MY DAUGHTER (17 YRS OLD AND A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL) WAS RIDING WITH HER FRIEND AND WAS HIT BY A CAR IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA. THE CAR MY DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN, A 2009 KIA SPECTRA, WAS TOTALED. YET, DESPITE THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK. HENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, HER NOSE WAS BROKE, SHE RECEIVED BLOOD IN THE VENTRICLES OF THE BRAIN AND SHE IS EXTREMELY SORE, TO SAY THE LEAST. FUNNY THING IS THAT THE DRIVER'S DAD TOOK THE BRAND NEW CAR (5,000 MILES AND 3 MONTHS OLD) TO THE DEALER OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS TOLD THAT A PASSENGER HAD TO BE 100 LBS AND BE SEATED JUST RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO ENGAGE. THE EMT/FIREMEN WHO RESCUED BY DAUGHTER CAN ALL VOUCH FOR THIS. HOW IS IT THAT KIA CAN ADVERTISE 'AIRBAGS' AS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN THEY ONLY DEPLOY RANDOMLY? *TR

Oct 30, 2009 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SHE REACHED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO GRAB A BABY CUP, WHICH CAUSED HER TO ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE INFANT. SUBSEQUENTLY SHE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,059.

Mileage: 22,059

Sep 22, 2009 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA EX/LX/SX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO SECURE HER IN THE SEAT. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE UPPER AND LOWER PART OF HER BODY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. SHE HAS A COPY OF INDIANA POLICE REPORT 09022263. SHE FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER K1645446 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. PICTURES OF THE FAILURE ARE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 11/04/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/05/09

Mileage: 9,000

May 26, 2009 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES SINCE THE TIME IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WANTS A REFUND OR ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM KIA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR LIGHTS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE THEY WERE SHORTENING OUT,. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING REALLY HARD AND ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 06/04/09.*JB

Mileage: 13,000