The passenger airbag sensor started failing when I purchased the car in 2017 and has since completely failed, which has caused the airbag light to turn on. The kia dealership wants to charge $140 to run an airbag diagnostic and from what I have researched, I will have to replace the entire seat, which may cost more than the value of the car. My concern at this point is whether or not any of the airbags will be deployed in the event of a collision.
2008 Kia Spectra: airbag warning light
34 of the 121 complaints about the 2008 Kia Spectra describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 34
- of this car's complaints
- 28%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,700
- typical mileage
- 62,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
Yes so my air bag light when I got the car was off an it just popped up couple weeks ago! I have tried everything possible to try to fix it an still is on. I even brought a new driver seat an it still didn't fix the problem. My be hope has been parked since the air bag light has been on.
Driver side air bag light is on
Air bag light (red warning light) started to stay on constantly. This means that air bag will probably not deploy in case of crash (to best of my knowledge when searching on google about this issue). Before this light turned on (red light on air-bag), I experienced an issue with "passenger air-bag off" light staying on - despite someone is present on passenger seat (meaning that air-bag will not deploy as computer is not sensing anybody seating there). I would need to stop-by on road side, then turn vehicle off completely, asked a person on passenger seat to go out - wait for a while - and then restart the vehicle and request a person to get back on seat. Later on, this way no longer working. Computer reset no longer working. Friends warned me that - it is sign of air-bag system failure and kia should get it fixed (it comes under safety). This issue is constant irrespective if vehicle is stationary or in motion.
My airbag light is staying on when occupied. I'm at almost 60,000 mls. Thought I saw something about a recall sometime ago so l was surprised that I couldn't find any considering the complaints l've been seeing. I don't have to many passengers as my children were always in back and just started riding in front. So I'm not sure how long it could have been going on. Just wanted to let someone know another 08' s light is lit. Thanks for your time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. While the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the ocs sensor mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to part unavailability. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated that when a passenger moved a certain way in the front passenger seat, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning remained illuminated without a passenger in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor under the passenger seat had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed by the dealer that the passenger seat and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Airbag light came on when turning on car and stayed on. Was inspected by mechanic. Was told sensor in the passenger seat was broken and seat mat needed to be replaced by kia for $1600. Mileage on car at time of inspection by mechanic was 72,544 and was inspected on 12/19/2015
The passenger air bag light will not come on anymore while the air bag light comes on in the dash board. I called my local dealership in naples, fl where I bought the car and asked how much it would be to have it checked. They told me that it would $120 to hook it up to the computer and if anything needed to be replaced, they would include it in the price. I also asked if they had any complaints and they said no and that since it was a "secondary safety system" it did not really need to be replaced. I looked online to see if anyone else had complaints like mine and found almost 100 complaints. Some stating that dealerships were telling them it would be $1200-$1700 to have the entire seat replaced. Also read that one was told that "either the air bag will not go off in an accident, or it would randomly go off going down the road". With the amount of complaints about the same thing, I am surprised there has not been a recall. I refuse to pay that kind of money for something the manufacturer should fix.
Dashboard airbag light illuminated, and nothing I tried--scanner, calling the dealer, and inspecting it myself--seems to be addressing the issue. I see multiple people are experiencing simpler symptoms. The light illuminates as usual upon ignition and shuts off as normal. It then comes back on around 10 to 20 seconds after the car starts, and it does not shut off until I turn off the car. The it sounds like a warranty issue.
Air bag warning light stays on. Tire kingdom checked it and said it is the suspension air bag. Cost would be 2,700 dollars.
The air bag light came on and the dealer saiid if would cost a $100 to tell you what was wrong.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2008 Kia Spectra airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2008 Kia Spectra?
34 of 121 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia Spectra (28%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2009.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2008 Kia Spectra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Kia Spectra?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Kia Spectra
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