IllustrationTHE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF.
2008 Kia Spectra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Spectra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1225–50K
1550–75K
1775–100K
24100–150K
5150K+
93 reports with mileage · 28 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
121 reportsTHE 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…
Read full complaint
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.
INTERMITTINGLY, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGINS REVVING. INTERMITTINGLY, WHILE SLOWING & STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE BEGINS REVVING AND ATTEMPTS TO LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAK VERY HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. FRED ANDERSON KIA, RALEIGH, NC INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM ON 7/10/15 BUT WA…
Read full complaint
INTERMITTINGLY, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGINS REVVING. INTERMITTINGLY, WHILE SLOWING & STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE BEGINS REVVING AND ATTEMPTS TO LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAK VERY HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. FRED ANDERSON KIA, RALEIGH, NC INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM ON 7/10/15 BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY RE-CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE ISSUE HAS CONTINUED ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. ON 8/20/15, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT & THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING DRAMATICALLY & THE CAR JERKED NOTICEABLY AS IT WENT INTO GEAR. I BACKED INTO THE SPOT & PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AGAIN JERKING. I LET THE CAR IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES & MOVED IT IN & OUT OF GEAR. THE REVVING WORSENED, THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO LURCH FORWARD EVEN WITH BOTH THE BREAK & EMERGENCY BREAK & CONTINUED JERKING WITH EVERY GEAR CHANGE. I HAVE AN APPT. ON 8/21/15 WITH FRED ANDERSON KIA TO INVESTIGATE. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, AS I HAVE SEEN AN INDICATION OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER KIA VEHICLES ON THIS SITE & OTHER SITES. IT SEEMS AS IF KIA IS NOT RESOLVING THE ISSUE AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WER…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500. ACCORDING TO THE LETTER FROM THE CONSUMER'S LAWYER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ARISING UNDER THE DASHBOARD, APPARENTLY FROM THE BLOWER/VENTILATION SYSTEM. UPDATED 09/14/15. *JB MA 10/5 STATUS UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY LIABILITY. THEY BLAMED THE FIRE ON A PAST INCIDENT, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH TOO MUCH OIL. UPDATED 04/25/16.*JB *CN
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 S…
Read full complaint
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.
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 SEV…
Read full complaint
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.
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…
Read full complaint
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.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, MARCH 2013 AND THE CAR DIED WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT IN MAY 2014 AND THE CAR DIED AT THE STOP LIGHT. FOR THOSE TWO INCIDENTS THE KIA DEALERSHIP INDICATED AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. NOW, I HAVE A THIRD INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED APRIL 25, 2015, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, MARCH 2013 AND THE CAR DIED WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT IN MAY 2014 AND THE CAR DIED AT THE STOP LIGHT. FOR THOSE TWO INCIDENTS THE KIA DEALERSHIP INDICATED AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. NOW, I HAVE A THIRD INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED APRIL 25, 2015, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 BUSINESS DAYS AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE CAR IS STOPPING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. THESE INCIDENTS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATALITY. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN DILIGENTLY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE HOWEVER; THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE. I AM SHARING THIS INFORMATION JUST IN CASE OTHER DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR
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
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE15031 · Occupant Classification System
Opened Sep 1, 2015 · Closed Feb 11, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Additional source detail variants (4)
Air Bags:frontal
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Air Bags
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,