This vehicle does not consistently sense the front passenger, resulting in the airbag sensor being in the "off" mode even when a passenger is sitting there. The vehicle was checked by a Kia dealer, who said the computer did not note anything wrong. The service technician said "with some Kia's, the sensor does not detect a passenger in the seat unless they are sitting directly in the middle of the seat." This concerns us greatly, as, if we are in an accident, the passenger air bag will not deploy if the sensor does not register a passenger in the seat.

- Appleton, WI, USA

I started to have issues with my seat belt's and I called the dealer and took it in and they said they couldn't find an issue I continue to have problem's took it back several time's and they said the same thing now my seat belt's in the back of my car do not work at all I took it back and they said it was out of warranty that I would have to pay for it. Then after that I started having an issue with my passenger side seat and air bag the light on the dash next to the clock wouldn't go off or it just flickered and the air bag icon with the person on it came on and hasn't went off I told them about this issue as well and the said they couldn't find a problem but now that the light next to the clock has gone out and the person icon with the air bag on my dash just stay's on I took it to them and they said I would have to buy a passenger seat for $1,900 because my warranty for that part was up. I feel that they should fix these issues because they are a safety issue and I Transport small children in my car.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

I actually own 2 Kia same year and model. Air bag light would come on and off when someone would sit in passenger seat. Then it started staying on all the time on so it was still under warranty so they replaced the sensor. Now my husbands Kia is doing the same exact thing and it is out of warranty so they refuse to fix it without charging me, so I have to ride with him at my own risk because I have no air bag protection on my side.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

Vehicle hit from rear at high rate of speed and pushed into vehicle to drivers side and vehicle in front. Fire dept at scene said the vehicle was impacted where airbag sensor is and should have gone off. No airbags went off. Driver with serious injuries. Children in back seat very minor injuries.

- Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA

The contact owned a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that while traveling in rainy weather, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The front driver frontal and side curtain air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained severe injuries from the impact and was killed. The failure and the current mileage was 41,000. Updated 04/23/12 updated 05/08/12 spoke with consumer, there was one death and no injuries. Updated 05/151/2

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

My son has a 2008 Kia Spectra and I have a 2009 Kia Spectra. Both cars have difficulty turning on the front passenger air bag when the car is/has been cold and my wife sits in the front passenger seat. She weighs approx 105 pounds and when the cars have been sitting in the cold, the sensors in the seat do not register that she's there. Consequently the passenger air bag is automatically turned off and would not deploy if we were in an accident. I have spoken with the Kia dealer about it and they say that if functions normally. But it doesn't. if the weather's warm, neither car seems to have the problem as often.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. While traveling 40 mph, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt failed. As a result, the contact sustained two fractured collar bones. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and had not been inspected for the failure nor repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 103,207. Updated 03/05/12 updated 03/08/12

- Pleasant Garden, NC, USA

The contact owned a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the right and the driver crashed into a pole. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The driver suffered major injuries to his chest and later went to the hospital own his own for treatment. The police were not notified and a report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they informed the contact that there was nothing wrong with airbags. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and inspected the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 14,800.

- Buluth, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the passenger air bag light illuminated with the passenger seat unoccupied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions and they could not duplicate the failure. The air bag light continued to illuminate but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a claim was filed but no further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

Passenger air bag light shows "off' with a passenger sitting in the seat. My wife is 5 ft. Even, and weighs over 135 lbs. But the light will not turn off for her. I tried it (I weigh around 200) and it went off. The dealer where I purchased the car went out of business.

- Menifee, CA, USA

'08 Kia Spectra hit across right front & slammed in right quarter panel. Vehicle equipped with 6 air bags...non of which deployed. Wife suffered fractures to all her ribs & sternum and a broken left arm. Nine days in shock trauma in baltimore, two weeks in rehab hospital and now getting rehab help at home.

- Felton, DE, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, the air bag indicator remains illuminated when an occupant is seated in the passenger seat. The dealer tested the air bag sensor by placing a 200 lbs. Mechanic in the seat. The indicator dimmed; therefore, the dealer stated that the air bag was fine. While driving 70 mph on the interstate, the contact swerved to avoid a deer and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The seat belt tensioner failed when the crash occurred. Kia replaced the air bag computer, sensor, and seat belt. The contact suffered a concussion and a police report was filed. The components in the vehicle were labeled as defective and after all the repairs were made, the air bag indicator continued to illuminate inappropriately. Recently, the contact attempted to avoid a deer and another crash occurred. The air bags failed to deploy again. The vehicle has not yet been repaired and is currently at an auto body shop waiting to be appraised. The failure and current mileages were 10,000.

- Manchester, TN, USA

2008 Kia Spectra, the parking lights come on by their self when its around 20* outside and when its around 80* outside the alarm want set the lights just blank on and off. Also I have a really bad rattle comes from the air bags so it sound in the dash and drivers side post air bag. Have took the car in 3 times and a week per time, and so far nothing as been fixed.

- Scottsville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the air bag indicator does not dim when the front passenger seat is occupied. The dealer stated that the manufacturer should be sending a re-caliper switch to repair the air bag indicator. Two weeks later, no one has called the contact regarding the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions, but the failure still persists. The failure mileage was 500. Updated 12/15/08. Updated 12/15/08.

- Warwick, RI, USA