Letter from senator on behalf of his constituents, concerning problems experienced with the air bag sensor in their 2006 kio Rio vehicle. When the consumers wife sat in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag sensor light stayed on, which indicated that the front passenger seat airbag was not activated. The consumer stated there was an airbag sensor on the passenger side that was supposed to keep the passenger airbag disabled when only the driver was in the front seat. There was a dashboard light connected to the sensor that illuminated when the airbag was deactivated.

- Washington, DC, USA

2006 Kia Rio with a faulty airbag system. Consumer states that the airbag light does not turn off when his wife sits in the front passenger seat. The consumer stated there was an airbag sensor on the passenger side that was supposed to keep the passenger airbag disabled when only the driver was in the front seat. There was a dashboard light connected to the sensor that illuminated when the airbag was deactivated.

- Mint Hill, NC, USA

There is an airbag sensor on the right front passenger side of my 2006 Kia Rio that is supposed to keep the person on the passenger side safe but airbags in a disabled status when only the driver is in the front seat of the car. However, very often, when my wife (who weighs 220 lbs) is seated in the right front passenger side, this airbag sensor still indicates that the passenger side airbags are disabled. The last time this occurred, a diagnosis check stated that a 'small occupant' was in the seat. My wife was in the passenger seat when this last test was done this is a safety issue which hinders me from comfortably driving this vehicle, and it seldom gets driven. The dealer and Kia have made many unsuccessful attempts to resolve this. They have been refusing to refund my money back to me.

- Mint Hill, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. The air bag warning light remained illuminated whenever a passenger was seated in the front seat. The dealer replaced the air bag sensor; however, the failure continued. The dealer re-inspected the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer advised him to turn the vehicle off and restart it or have the passenger sit in the rear. The contact was dissatisfied with the remedy. The failure mileage was 1,000 and current mileage was 14,000. Updated 01/11/08. Updated

- Waldron, AR, USA

Bought car in 01-06 started to get an air bag light on driver side in 05-06. First time was due to malfunction seat belt pretensioner ordered. Went back 06-21 replaced with seat belt retractor. Second time on 07-18 airbag light remained on was told due to seat covers. Airbag was reset, was told no seat covers. Hi-desert Kia sells seat covers for 2006 Rio. Third time 07-06 was told airbag system connection was knocked loose due to items under passenger seat, do not put items under seats. Air bag system was reset. Fourth time 08-06 was told air bag control unit needs replacement. Waiting for part to arrive 09-06.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA