A front tie rod broke, something in the steering column broke, and the air bag indicator lit up but no air bags deployed. The two front tires were not pointing in the same direction. I had it towed to a mechanic, and they said that the steering column issue likely caused a disconnect in a circuit, which can prevent all air bags from deploying.
2002 Kia Spectra airbags problems
22 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 47,102. 21 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 24%
- typical mileage
- 47,102
- crashes
- 21
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Frontal12
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Spectra airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Kia Spectra airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2002 Kia Spectra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On monday, january 16, 2006, a 1984 gmc pickup, crossed the center line of tx 317, causing a severe frontal collision with a 2002 kia spectra. Although the spectra driver was properly wearing her seat belt, she sustained fatal blunt force injuries when the frontal driver?s side air bag failed to deploy in the severe frontal collision due to an open circuit in the airbag system. The passenger air bag, however, did deploy and provided supplemental restraint to the belted passenger, thus she was not seriously injured in the crash. Warranty claims to kia for open circuits in this and similar models' airbag systems number in excess of 400 and maybe many times that number.
On friday november 28, 2008 at 4:45pm, I was driving on state highway 58 by jenkins and rosedale highway in bakersfield, ca. I was going approximately 50 MPH and was approximately 50 yards from the vehicle in front of me. I had to slam on my brakes due to the car in front of my braking automatically, my brakes locked up and I was in a front end crash. Not only did my brakes lock up, but my duel sided air bags in my 2002 kia spectra which I have only owned for four months did not deploy. Luckily no one was badly injured but due to this incident my muscles are badly sore and bruised. The whole front end of my vehicle is destroyed and most importantly my headlights which are required by law to have, are shattered.
I was involved in a front end collision and my kia spectra was a total loss. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance for neck and head injuries. My airbag never went off. I believe it should have. The insurance wants to close out the claim and I advised them that I wanted kia to inspect the vehicle as to why the airbag did not deploy. Would like to take care of this without having to get a lawyer involved. I was released from the hospital with whiplash and pain meds. I need to get a new vehicle and liked my spectra but am unsure as to its safety. The vehicle was smoking but not sure as to what caused it. Fireman brought over an extinguisher but I don't believe they used it.
1. My son was driving my car on us 280 in alabama just south of birmingham when he was involved in an accident with another automobile. According to the police report he was traveling at 45 MPH when he impacted the rear of another car. 2. As a result of the impact he was thrown forward and his head struck the windshield. He suffered a mild concussion and cuts an bruises. The automobile has factory installed air bags for both the driver and passenger. Neither air bag deployed. 3. State farm (the insurer) wrote the car off as a total loss. I sent photos of the car to kia corporate in irvin, ca. Their comment was that the airbags should not deploy in and accident of this nature. No one looked at the car to determine what failed in the system.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia spectra. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's daughter rear-ended another vehicle. She sustained minor injuries, but the vehicle was destroyed. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but they could not explain the failure. The current and failure mileages were 75,000.
Consumer 2002 kia spectra airbags did not deploy upon frontal collision. *ts
The consumer's vehicle was struck from the rear at 65 MPH, causing it to strike another vehicle. Upon impact, both the passenger and driver seats broke, and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. *ak *sc
During an accident the consumer's seat belt released and the air bags did not deploy. *nm kia sent the consumer a letter stating that its engineers designed airbags to only deploy in severe accidents where the risk of serious injury or death was substantial. The consumer requested information on whether or not any lawyer is pursuing any cases against kia. *tc
While driving 30 to 40 MPH vehicle was in involved in a crash, and air bags failed to deploy. *ak seat belt over the left shoulder released and failed to hold up as well. Consumer suffered large laceration across left eye.
Questions about the 2002 Kia Spectra airbags
Does the 2002 Kia Spectra have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the airbags of the 2002 Kia Spectra, 24% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Spectra airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 47,102 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Kia Spectra airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Spectra have bad airbags?
The Kia Spectra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2009 (76 complaints), 2008 (61 complaints) and 2007 (56 complaints).
Other 2002 Kia Spectra problems
Brakes 15Transmission 12Electrical 9Seat belts 8Visibility 8Acceleration 7Engine 6Body 5Steering 4Suspension 4Fuel system 3Lights 3Tires 3Seats 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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