4 months ago my alternator went, taking with it my entire electrical system. After everything was fixed by the repair shop of my choice, the airbag light was still on and could not be reset because Kia will not release the codes to do so. I took it to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and $90 later simply reset the codes to clear the light. Now I find myself with the light on again, and my 2002 Kia Sedona at the dealership to find out why. Of course, it cannot be as simple as the code needing to be reset, and I have been informed that there is a faulty sensor in the seatbelt mechanism that will need to be replaced. This will cost $200 + to have done. It is my understanding that this is a recurrent problem with Kia Sedonas and I cannot understand why it is not a recall item. My sister-in-law has had to replace theirs two times now, my father-in-law has had to replace his at least one time, and my sister-in-laws mother-in-law has had to replace hers at least twice. These are just family members, and I can only imagine how many other people are having this problem. On this site alone I have found several, not to mention other message boards showing the same complaints. At what point does a complaint like this get investigated to be recalled? this is a serious safety issue that needs to be taken care of and I implore you to investigate into this malfunction. Thank you. Updated 09/19/07

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

Back in 2003, the airbag light on my van came on and would not go away. It was under warranty. The problem was a defective passenger side seat belt buckle. That was replaced. Now in 2005 the airbag light came on and would not go away again. My warranty has expired, so I tried finding out what the problem was myself. It was the same passenger side seat belt buckle. The problem was a broken wire in the harness to the sensor. The cause was a metal clip that pinches the harness, and with the movement of putting the seat belt on and off, eventually leading to the wire breakage. That I fixed myself and airbag light went out. In 2006, the airbag light came back on and would not go out. The problem now is the driver side seat belt buckle, once again a broken wire at the clip. Once again my warranty has expired so I am going to fix it myself. This kind of problem can be fixed if the clips are removed, extending the life of the sensing unit. I am sure that there are many others with that same problem. I would like to see this defect fixed.

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

1) battery discharge occured during slow speed driving and hot conditions. Vehicle stalled at intersection and was almost hit several times. 2) service bulletin put out by Kia calls for new alternator, with smaller pulley and ECM battery compensation 3) Kia technical service bulletin calls for a new alternator with smaller pulley (65mm ->55mm) and ECM battery compensation revised.

- Manito, IL, USA