IllustrationDRIVING 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
2009 Kia Spectra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 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
130–25K
1325–50K
2450–75K
2575–100K
15100–150K
3150K+
93 reports with mileage · 21 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 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
76 reportsTL* 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 N…
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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.
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 …
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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
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.
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. UPDA…
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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
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 TYP…
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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
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 TIM…
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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
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 F…
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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
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 TH…
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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
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 SYST…
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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
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,