2008 Kia Spectra complaints

THE SENSOR LIGHT TURNED ON AND DISABLED AIRBAGS. WE TOOK IT TO THE ALL STAR KIA IN BATON ROUGE OFF OF SIEGEN LANE. THEY TOLD US IT WOULD BE 1549. TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED CORPORATE OFFICE SPOKE TO [XXX] , HE TOLD ME HE WOULD SEND THE CASE TO REGIONAL OFFICE SINCE I WANTED THEM TO PAY FOR IT. THREE DAYS LATER [XXX] CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST, WE DECLINED HE SAID HE WOULD THEN SEND IT TO THE REGIONAL OFFICE. I REMINDED HIM HE HAD SAID THAT THREE DAYS AGO. FINALLY I REACH A [XXX] IN REGIONAL WHO WAS NOT VERY PLEASANT AND SHE SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO THEY COULD NOT PAY FOR IT. I TOLD HER I WOULD NOT LET THIS GO. TODAY 4-13-15 SHE CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY PHONE SAYING THAT THE DEALER WOULD PAY HALF OF THE COST AND THAT I HAD 30 DAYS TO ACCEPT. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY CONSUMERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM SAME MODEL CAR. THEY RECALLED 146,000 THOUSAND OTHER CARS DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS FOR THE SAME THING. JUST WANT THEM TO BE HONEST AND DO THE RIGHT THING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAVE A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. AT 140,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE, I AM NOW AT 158,000. I HAVE READ WHERE THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER I DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SO. . .UPDATED 07/21/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/2015 *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN

I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY GOING 45 MPH ON A RURAL STREET USING MY CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I WAS COMING UP TO THE STOP, I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE RAN FASTER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL (THE ENGINE RPMS RED-LINED), AND TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. I STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK UP, AND TESTED THE PROBLEM. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT DISENGAGING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CHECKED THE BRAKE LIGHTS, AND THEY WERE NOT WORKING. I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WITH THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH. IF I HAD NOT APPLIED THE BRAKES FAR ENOUGH IN ADVANCE, I AM CERTAIN THAT I WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE BUSY INTERSECTION AND CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

AIRBAG MAT SENSOR FAILED.SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON UNFORTUNATELY. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY AS OF YET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR LATCH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

AIRBAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOT ON LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, KIA DOES NOT SELL JUST THE SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN. KIA HAS NO RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT/SENSOR COMBINATION FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL ALTHOUGH IT DOES FOR OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AND PROBLEM. KIA SHOULD HAVE AN AIRBAG SEAT/SENSOR RECALL. *TR ...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF

I OWN A 2008 KIA SPECTRA AND HAVE HAD AIR BAG SYSTEM ISSUES WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO,I HAD THE SEAT REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT CHANGE OUT THE MAT ITSELF. THIS CLEARED UP THE ISSUE AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WORKED FINE. FOR A WHILE. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN WITH AN ADULT MALE SITTING IN THE SEAT IT SAYS THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED. IF YOU PUSH ON THE SEAT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM WHILE SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE. WHEN YOU STOP PUSHING ON THE SEAM THE SYSTEM DEACTIVATES. I SPOKE WITH KIA DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE ITEM. YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW SEAT BOTTOM FROM THEM AT A COST OF $1397.45 PARTS ONLY. THE PARTS ARE ONLY COVERED UNDER A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE( ACCORDING TO KIA DEALERSHIP ) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALL OTHERS THAT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE OCS MAT? THEY SEEM TO BE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY FOR A PART THAT THEY KNOW AND HAVE CONFIRMED AS BEING DEFECTIVE AT THE COST AND SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/22/14*LJ UPDATED 9/05/2017*CN

I DRIVE A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ROUGHLY 4 YRS. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH MY CAR CONTINUES TO STALL. THIS OCCURS GENERALLY WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP AND TURNING. THE DASH LIGHTS WILL ALL COME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKS UP IN THE DIRECTION I WAS TURNING. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF, BUT MY RPM'S REV UP TO A MINIMUM OF 3. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO AUTO MECHANICS. THEY HAVE CHANGED A FUEL TEMP. SENSOR AND SWITCHED OUT ALL MY SPARK PLUGS. BOTH MECHANICS HAVE PLUGGED THE VEHICLE UP TO THE MACHINE AND IT READS CLEAR. THEY CANNOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE VEHICLE ACTS UP RANDOMLY, THEY ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S IN THEIR POSSESSION. *TR

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SIDE HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN OCCUPANT IN SEAT. NOW NO LIGHT WORKING AT ALL. JUST RECENTLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE CAME ON. I TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY AIR BAGS HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES OFF BECAUSE THE OCCUPANT SENSOR PAD IS BAD IN PASSENGER SIDE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OVER $2000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT PAD. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH NO AIRBAGS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET NEW SEAT REPLACED. I LOOKED AT THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR

MY VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG "OFF" ILLUMINATING WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A HALF DOZEN OCCASIONS THAT I HAVE NOTICED AND GOES OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER ADJUSTS THEIR SITTING POSITION. THE VEHICLE SURGES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED. ADDITIONALLY BRAKE PEDAL HAS STUCK ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO CUT OUT ON OCCASION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THESE ALL HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO APPARENT RHYME OR REASON TO THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY DEPENDING ON THE POSITION THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR WHICH WAS MAYBE A YEAR AGO, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANT UNTIL I STARTED DOING RESEARCH. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE KNOWING MY AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK! THE CAR LOT FAILED TO TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY UPSET AND THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY KIA OR THE CAR DEALERSHIP. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, NOW WE ARE BEING CHARGED OVER $1000 TO GET IT FIXED. IS THIS A RECALL ITEM? PLEASE REPLY. *TR

VEHICLE SURGES WHILE DRIVING AND/OR WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND INSTEAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR WAS IT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 95,000.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CLUSTER AND THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WILL SOME TIMES FLASH ON AND OFF LIKE THE EXORCIST. EVEN WITH A 200 POUND ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS TO THE CHEST, RIGHT ARM AND LEFT ARM. THERE WAS ALSO INTERNAL BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS AND AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2007 AND 2006 MODELS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. UPDATED 06/11/2014 *JS

THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN RANDOMLY NOT WORKING WHEN USING THE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE, AS WELL AS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN USING THE KEY FOB. I MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALER WHO BRUSHED IT OFF. NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I CAN RARELY UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE BUTTONS. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST UNDER 73,000 MILES. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CLUSTER AND THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WILL SOME TIMES COME ON AND AT OTHER TIMES WILL NOT, WITH A 200 POUND ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $100 TO CHECK THE CODE. THE CODE INDICATES B1448 OCS FAILURE - MAT SENSOR. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS ONLY A FIVE YEAR 60,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS. PROBLEM IS YOU CAN NOT REPLACE JUST THE PART, YOU HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE SEAT BOTTOM AT A COST OF $800 - $2,000 DEPENDING ON THE DEALERSHIP THAT YOU SPEAK WITH. THIS IS A LARGE COST TO REPLACE EVERY 3 - 6 YEARS (DEPENDING ON AGE AND MILEAGE). KIA AND HYUNDAI HAVE HAD RECALLS BEFORE FOR THE SAME AIR BAG SYSTEMS IN OTHER VEHICLES BUT REFUSE TO RECALL THE PART IN THE SPECTRA. *TR

2008 KIA SPECTRA EX W/ 38,125 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND AFTER READING ALL THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY COMPLAINTS, 1. I WILL SUE THE CRAP OUT OF YOU RIP OFFS IF MY BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY 2. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AS LONG AS I LIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55 - 70) THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT VIOLENTLY WITH A SUDDEN JERK, IT WILL REMAIN IN THAT GEAR UNTIL YOU PULLOVER, TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND ENGAGE THE HANDLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO EXIT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE HANDLE WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. *TR

EVER SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN 2010, THE REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK-UP FOR NO REASON. NOW, NEITHER REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR WILL UNWIND. THE CENTER SEATBELT STILL WORKS FINE. *TR

THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS LEADING UP TO A FAILURE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA EX SUDDENLY CAME ON. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO A DEALER, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENTIRE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR COULD NOT TELL IF THERE WAS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS DEACTIVATED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE HERE: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2008/KIA/SPECTRA/AIR_BAGS/PROBLEM.ASPX. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED ISSUE, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA. *TR

THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE DURING A STATE INSPECTION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT, WHICH COST ME $2,231.93. I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTOSHOP, AND BY 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ALOT IN KIAS. I THINK THAT KIA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT THAT. I SEE THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. THIS MODEL SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

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. *TR

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 $1,900.00 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. *TR

I ACTUALLY OWN 2 KIAS 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. *TR

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.

I PAID CASH FOR A KIA 08/09,THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IT WAS DROP OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP.I CALL RIGHT BACK I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN. THIS CONTINUE 3 TIMES AFTER, THE CRANK SHAFT WENT OUT,THE FUEL SENSOR WAS THE 4 TIME WITH ME 1 TIME WITH THE OTHER OWNER. SHE PUT 3500MI. ON THE CAR FACT. MY TITLE SAID, 200 MI. THEN, THE GAS PEDDLE WAS SO HOT I COULD NOT KEEP MY FOOT ON IT. I WAS CALL BY KIA, PARK THE CAR OR IT WILL BLOW UP ON YOU. I WAS ON THE ROAD NEXT TO A CANE FIELD NO HOUSES CLOSE TO ME. I'M 65 YRS. OLD, BEEN GOING FOR OVER 38 MO. BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS LOUISIANA NEW CAR COMMISSIONER(1) HE KEEPING ME AT BAY. THIS CAR WAS ON IT WAY BACK TO KIA MANFACTURE. BUT WAS SOLD TO ME BECAUSE I PAID CASH. THEY THEY TRIED TO BUY BACK THE CAR FROM A LOAN CO. WHERE I TOOK A LOAN ON IT. THEY LAUGH AT ME TELL ME I'M ON MY OWN. I STILL HAVE THE WARRANTY ON IT. COULD YOU HELP ME. THIS WAS A NEW CAR I WAS SOLD EVEN THOUGH SOME ONE ELSE HAD IT BEFORE ME FOR MONTHS 3500MI. YET ON MY TITLE IT SAID 200MI. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE MASS AIR SENSOR FLOW FILTER AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED SURGING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER THE SURGING, THE RPM'S WOULD RACE TO HIGH NUMBERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,700.

THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON 12/29/08. THE CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN MY WIFE TRIED TO BACK IT OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE MECHANICS EVENTUALLY DETERMINED THAT WE MUST HAVE OVERFILLED THE GAS TANK. TODAY -- 9/4/12 -- IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I FORGOT ABOUT THE PROBLEM WE HAD IN 08 AND MISTAKENLY FILLED UP THE GAS TANK. FOR THE LAST 30 MILES I'VE DRIVEN IT, IT HAS STALLED OUT AT LEAST SIX TIMES AND FREQUENTLY SHUDDERED. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WON'T START TOMORROW MORNING. *TR

TL* 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*LJ SPOKE WITH CONSUMER, THERE WAS ONE DEATH AND NO INJURIES. UPDATED 05/151/2

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. *TR

TL* 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*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12

THE REAR SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WHEN YOU START TO PULL THEN AROUND YOU AND THEY WILL NOT TURN LOOSE SO YOU CAN GET THEN ON. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD AND ACCELERATE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

TL* 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.

2008 KIA SPECTRA, PURCHASED NEW JAN 2008, 20K MILES, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ONLY GOES OFF (ACTIVE) WHEN A PERSON OF AROUND 200 LBS SITS IN IT. MY GRANDCHILDREN, SOME OF WHICH ARE 120 OR MORE LBS, DO NOT SET IT OFF. I HAVE BEEN MAKING THEM SIT IN THE BACK SEAT, BUT AFTER READING THE CRASH COMPLAINTS, WHERE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN. I DO NOT CARE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TO SEE IF THEY WILL WORK! NOT ACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL CAR. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

TL* 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.

WHEN MY SON, WHO IS 12 YEARS OLD SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (WEIGHS 103 POUNDS) THE LIGHT GOES OFF SOMETIMES OR STAYS ON SOMETIMES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, BUT WHEN MY FIANCEE WHO IS IN EXCESS OF 180 POUNDS SITS IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, THUS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, NOT CONSTANTLY. *TR

WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG ACTIVATION SYSTEM DOES NOT ACTIVATE APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE SHE WOULD HAVE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY FOR ME TO ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM WHEN SHE IS A PASSENGER. *TR