2015 Kia K900

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that he noticed peeling and bubbling above the passenger’s side of the air bag housing. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated the leather dashboard was separating from the passenger side air bag deployment section. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact noticed the failure when the vehicle was returned from the dealer, for the engine control module repair. The vehicle was taken to an upholstery repair shop which diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

The PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG will be blocked from opening correctly in the event of a front end collision. The AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS lights flash on and off with small changes in ambient light causing distractions to oncoming vehicles and also inhibiting driver's visibility in low light situations. There is another sensor that is impacted by the defect, but I'm not sure of it's function. All of these issues are caused by well known dash cover defects on k900s like mine, as well as Hyundai Equus, and other names in the US and around the world. It may affect other Kia car's as well, such as the Forte. IN SUMMARY: DASH COVER ADHESIVE AND SECUREMENT LET LOOSE AND IS IMPEDING PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, INTERFERING WITH PROPER FUNCTION OF HEADLIGHTS, AND COVERING DASH MOUNTED SENSORS. The defect was brought to a dealership for Goodwill consideration, as many cars have been repaired by Hyundai/Kia under goodwill warranty even before it progressed to a safety issue by covering the airbag and dash sensors. However, the District Parts and Service Manager was only concerned with my prior patronage, not with the quality nor safety of their cars. I escalated this to the 2nd level of Kia Customer service, and it was initially declined before the 2nd level representative even looked at the pictures or description of the safety defects. The 2nd level Rep reported that the DPSM would not return his calls. The 2nd level Rep had some contact with Kia engineers, but they determined that leather and/or hard plastic over the airbag opening would somehow not be a safety issue. The headlights were never discussed in Kia's "investigation." Eric, the 2nd level Rep initially encouraged me to NOT file with NHTSA because he claimed all goodwill requests were reported to NHTSA by Kia Corporation!

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO REASON, TWICE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ON A DRY, FLAT ROAD, DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES AT 45 MPH. THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THEN WENT OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON. HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTS FLASHING; FLASHED FOR A COUPLE MINUTES THEN WENT OFF. WE HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS ONLY A LIGHT PROBLEM OR IF THE AIR BAGS OR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR WERE REPORTED TO MANDY STRAUSS OF KIA USA WESTERN REGION ON JUNE 2, 2015 BUT AS OF JULY 20, 2015 KIA HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO FIX THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY OR PROVIDE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WHILE THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED.