The airbag light is on and we think the ocs sensor mat is bad. Kia has an extended warranty for vehicles between the years of 2006-2009 to have a ocs sensor mat replaced for free for a period of 15 years regardless of mileage.
2009 Kia Spectra airbags problems
76 complaints (67% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 71,000. 17 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 76
- of this car's complaints
- 67%
- typical mileage
- 71,000
- crashes
- 17
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Frontal4
- Side/window2
- Frontal: sensor/control module1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Spectra airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 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.
Related investigations
Occupant Classification System
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/ Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
PE15031
What 2009 Kia Spectra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Airbag warning light is always on even if seat is occupied. In addition the airbag "off" message was displayed next to the clock and is always in the 'off', position. Both lights remain in that condition whether the vehicle is stationary mode (in park) or driving in motion. A safety inspection showed a b1448 code.
Letter from senator roberts re: inquiry on behalf of constitute in regards to her mother's 2009 kia spectra airbags deployed too much force and injured her mother. *as see also odi 11109673. *dsy the consumer stated the driver died as a result of injuries from the airbag during the crash. The manufacturer was notified.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 kia spectra. While driving 30 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into two fences, four tombstones, and a stone pillar in a cemetery. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the manufacturer would send a field investigator to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.
My mother rear ended another car on 3-6-18. My mom, [xxx], died 3-13-18 from injuries inflicted by an airbag deploying. It broke all her facial bones including her jaw. It tore an artery on the left side of her brain and bruised the right side of her brain. Brain surgery was done but she could not recover from her injuries. She was driving a 2009 kia spectra. I have read articles that kia bags will deploy with greater force in some accidents. The wreck was her fault. That does not make it ok for her to be killed by the airbag. I am wondering how many people this has happened to. This is wrong and should not happen to anyone else. Please contact me at [xxx]. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc *tr *tt *tr see also odi 11155008.
Takata recall I own a 2009 kia spectra I've had it since 2014. I moved & about a year ago my airbag light came on the car was stationary I went to get came back in my car & noticed it was on. I didn't think anything of it because where I lived you didn't have to do vehicle inspections. Not too long after my seatbelt kept locking & in the last several months it completely locked on me. I'm in the process of moving & I took my car to get a vehicle inspection because the state I will be living in you have to be able to pass inspection. I was told I wouldn't pass the inspection due to the airbag light being on & my seatbelt being locked. I called several dealerships & they are trying to make me pay all these different prices to fix it the least I've been told is about $700 just to install a new seatbelt. I'm a single mom & I can't afford this..this is unsafe !! I was looking up how to fix my seatbelt & came across a lot of individuals who were having this same issue & I want to know if there is a recall because this is a safety issue for my child as well as myself.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 kia spectra. While driving, the contact swerved and lost control of the vehicle after trying to avoid a deer. The vehicle rolled over and struck a telephone pole. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact suffered from lacerations to the top of the head that required six staples. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Air bag light is malfunctioning,got letter from kia saying it is under warrenty and dealer will not fix
Passenger air bag off indicator light is illuminated when person is sitting in the seat.
The airbag light is constantly on now on my dash near my speedometer. It also illuminates on the passenger side as 'on' and 'off' while my husband is sitting there. This has been going on for about a month now for the driver's dash light, and 2 months for the passenger airbag indicator. I've owned this car for 2 years, no accidents, and now a legally required safety feature appears to be malfunctioning. That is a horrible investment, and should not be legally ok.
Questions about the 2009 Kia Spectra airbags
Does the 2009 Kia Spectra have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 76 complaints about the airbags of the 2009 Kia Spectra, 67% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Kia Spectra airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 71,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 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 2009 Kia Spectra problems
Seats 11Electrical 10Seat belts 9Engine 8Acceleration 6Brakes 6Body 5Fuel system 4Steering 3Wheels 3Lights 2Transmission 2Tires 1Visibility 1
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