IllustrationAIRBAG 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.
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
Seats complaints
11 reportsTAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AN…
Read full complaint
TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD
AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG IS OFF" LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. THIS IS CITY DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER OF 150 LBS. TOOK THE KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LIGHT ON AND THEY VERIFIED THE OCS SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. THE OCS SENSOR MAT WAS REPLACED MARCH 16, 2017. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, AFTER STARTING THE…
Read full complaint
AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG IS OFF" LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. THIS IS CITY DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER OF 150 LBS. TOOK THE KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LIGHT ON AND THEY VERIFIED THE OCS SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. THE OCS SENSOR MAT WAS REPLACED MARCH 16, 2017. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, DID ITS CHECK, BUT THEN CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE KIA FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CUSTOMER SERVICE THEN TOLD US TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THAT NEXT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL WORK WHETHER THE LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. NOBODY FROM KIA HAS CONFIRMED THAT STATEMENT.
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 MANUFA…
Read full complaint
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.
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 …
Read full complaint
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
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
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 F…
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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
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 T…
Read full complaint
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
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 PAS…
Read full complaint
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
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,