Kia Spectra Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  51
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  27
• Side/window
  11

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  7027%
• 25k–50k
  3212%
• 50k–75k
  5019%
• 75k–100k
  4718%
• 100k–150k
  5220%
• 150k+
  114%

What owners report

My mother rear ended another car on 3-6-18. My mom, [redacted], 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 [redacted]. Thanks [redacted] see also odi 11155008.

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.

The passenger air bag has failed. The dash light stays on due to issue and the air bag itself stays off per the light on the airbag on/off alert. I contacted the dealership who quoted me over $100 just to take a look at it, but was told this seems to be an issue with Spectras that they see pretty commonly.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated while a passenger in the vehicle travelling at 45 MPH, the vehicle was hit on the passenger side by another vehicle as a result the passenger and driver side air bags as well as the passenger side air bags failed to deploy. The passenger and the driver of her vehicle sustained back, head and arm injures while the driver sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The contact stated that the occupants of the other vehicle sustained no injuries. A police report was filed. The car was drivable as the air bags failed deploy however, the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The approximate failure mileage 185,000. The VIN was not available.

I first noticed my air bag light (the one by the clock) coming on and off when my granddaughters weight went from under weight to appropriate weight to ride in the front seat. It would come on and off as she would adjust herself or move around in the seat. Sometimes it would stay on or sometimes it would stay off. When that light stopped coming on and off the one in the dash console where the speedometer is, that light has been coming on and staying on warning there's a problem with the airbag according to the manual. I entered my VIN number because I know Kia has had problems with some of there airbags but my VIN number was not listed. I did go by an auto parts house to make sure that was indeed the airbag warning light and I was told that the airbag may or maynot go off in a cash or it could go off at anytime. …

I no longer have the car, so I cannot provide the VIN number at this time. (I can get it, with some work involved). I have pictures of the car after the crash. I live in rural iowa. Deer start their rut in October. I swerved to miss a deer, on a two lane road. Went down a 40 foot ditch, nose first. Because the bottom of the ditch was a gully, the front of the roof, the hood, the front lights, etc. Were all destroyed. Not one of their airbags deployed. They are not a part of the news round of airbags, but I want this on record. Again, I can supply pictures, and it will be obvious that at least one of the 8 airbags should have deployed. Please, look into the 2007 Kia Spectra's air bags. Look to see if others have had the same problem. I would appreciate it very much. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver attempted to move the vehicle into the left lane; however, another vehicle was in the lane. The driver quickly steered the vehicle back into the right lane; however, the vehicle spun out of control and turned over on the driver's side. The driver's and front passenger air bags failed to deploy. The driver and front passenger sustained bruises and cuts. The passenger also injured the left hand, which required stitches and medical attention. Police report number: 191201035 was filed. The vehicle was towed and not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 162,307.

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Kia Spectra. While driving at an unknown speed on a dirt road, the road collapsed causing the vehicle to roll down a cliff and into a river. The driver and passenger frontal air bags failed to deploy. As a result, the contact sustained injuries to the chest and head. The front passenger sustained injuries to the chest, legs, and hip. Both occupants required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer stated that the driver and frontal air bags operated normally. The failure mileage was 180,000. ...updated09/30/15

NHTSA investigations