FaultScore

FaultScore report

2009 KIA Spectra problems

Owners have filed 152 complaints about the 2009 KIA Spectra with NHTSA between 2009 and 2023. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 10 worst.

D

FaultScore 69/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the KIA Spectra.

How this is worked out

The numbers

152

Complaints

29

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

13

Injuries reported

2 complaints report a death.

70,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

22%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 63 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 38 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the KIA Spectra. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
29.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 38
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2009 compares with every other KIA Spectra

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2009 KIA Spectra

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 78 51.3%

17 crashes, 1 fires · median 71,000 mi

Seats 11 7.2%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 56,500 mi

Seat Belts 9 5.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 62,500 mi

Engine & Cooling 8 5.3%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 78,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 6 3.9%

Median failure at 85,500 miles

Brakes 6 3.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 88,000 mi

Body & Structure 5 3.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 68,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 4 2.6%

Median failure at 86,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 2.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 47,000 mi

Wheels 3 2.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 108,500 mi

Steering 3 2.0%

Median failure at 96,600 miles

Lights 2 1.3%

Median failure at 43,500 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 1.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,190 mi

Tires 1 0.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 0.7%

Median failure at 36,934 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 5 4.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 2.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 14 11.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 15 12.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 31 25.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 34 27.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 17 13.9%
150,000+ miles 3 2.5%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Frontal crash test of a 2009 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB

Frontal crash test

Side barrier crash test of a 2009 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB

Side barrier crash test

Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2009 Kia Spectra 5-DR w/SAB
2009 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2009 peak 7 Nov 2023

NHTSA investigations into the 2009 KIA Spectra

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE15031 Opened 1 Sep 2015 Closed 11 Feb 2016 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 95,000 miles Albany, NY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11184559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Albany, NY Crash

ENGINE

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11184559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Albany, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11184559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wichita, KS Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11155008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles W. Lafayette, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11111654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Wichita, KS Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS

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. *DSY

NHTSA complaint #11109673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

SAN Pedro, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am having a problem with my hazard turning signal lights it won't turn on.

NHTSA complaint #11556124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allenhurst, GA

ENGINE

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

NHTSA complaint #11445718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allenhurst, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

NHTSA complaint #11445718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allenhurst, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

NHTSA complaint #11445718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phelan, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11311310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Fredericksburg, VA

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11254247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Fredericksburg, VA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11254247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Cocoa, FL

WHEELS

ON DECEMBER 18, 2018, I HAD A TIRE SEPARATE. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM LONG TIRE COMPANY IN TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA ON JUNE 15, 1916 (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF THE PURCHASE). THE TIRE WAS FULLY COVERED BY WARRANTY AT THAT TIME, AND I ONLY PAID TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF MY PAYING LONG TIRE COMPANY FOR THE THE INSTALLATION ON DECEMBER 12, 2018). THIS PAST WEEK, AUGUST 15-22, 2019, TWO MORE TIRES SEPARATED (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION). THIS WAS OBSERVED BY SCHLENKER AUTO (SEE ATTACHED). THE TIRES ARE HERCULES TOUR 4.0 PLUS 195/60 R15 (ALSO CONTAINS NUMBERS 88H MTS) AND THE BATCH NUMBER ON THE TIRES (BOTH ARE THE SAME) IS DOT KAAD B20H 2815. THE BATCH NUMBER ON THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED LAST DECEMBER WAS LIKELY THE SAME. THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED LAST DECEMBER WAS REPLACED BY A TIRE WITH DOT KAAD B20H 2915, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE A LATER BATCH NUMBER. I HAVE HAD THREE OF THESE TIRES SEPARATE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, IN NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS IN FLORIDA. SOMETHING IS BADLY WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND ATTENTION TO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11245647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

SEAT BELTS

DRIVER'S SEATBELT OFTEN FAILS TO LOCK IN AND POPS OPEN MID-DRIVE. IT IS OFTEN NOT APPARENT THAT THE BELT HASN'T LOCKED UNTIL IT POPS OPEN. THIS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11217045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Watertown, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2011. SINCE THEN ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I STOP MY CAR AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE CAR MOVES FORWARD EVEN AFTER I STEP ON THE BRAKE. I THEN HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE BRAKE ON AND TURN THE CAR OFF OR ELSE I'M A HIT SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND I'M TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BRING IT THERE WHEN IT'S HAPPENING. THIS IS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE 2011. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN WHEN MY CAR SHOULD BE MOTIONLESS HOWEVER IT WOULD KEEP GOING EVEN THOUGH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE NOT KEPT TRACK OF WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. BELOW I HAD TO PUT A DATE THAT IT HAPPENED. I DO NOT KNOW THE DATES THAT THIS IS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT IS PROBABLY HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2011. I DID NOT KEEP TRACK OF THE DATES

NHTSA complaint #11208363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Albany, NY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11184559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Albany, NY Crash

ENGINE

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11184559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Albany, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11184559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wichita, KS Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11155008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2009 KIA SPECTRA HAD APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM A KIA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2017. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY KIA, I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THAT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS IDLING TO HIGH AFTER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR AFTER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING AND DID NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LAUNCH FORWARD AFTER I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN REMOVING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR INCREASES IN SPEED INSTEAD OF DECREASING WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH COST $105.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND $256.30 FOR PARTS AND LABOR.

NHTSA complaint #11141083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,600 miles Lake Isabella, CA

SEATS

TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD

NHTSA complaint #11140540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,600 miles Lake Isabella, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD

NHTSA complaint #11140540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles W. Lafayette, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11111654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Wichita, KS Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS

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. *DSY

NHTSA complaint #11109673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Wilmington, DE

SEATS

AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG IS OFF" LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. THIS IS CITY DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER OF 150 LBS. TOOK THE KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LIGHT ON AND THEY VERIFIED THE OCS SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. THE OCS SENSOR MAT WAS REPLACED MARCH 16, 2017. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, DID ITS CHECK, BUT THEN CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE KIA FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CUSTOMER SERVICE THEN TOLD US TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THAT NEXT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL WORK WHETHER THE LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. NOBODY FROM KIA HAS CONFIRMED THAT STATEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #11100794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Waynesboro, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 64 WEST. I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND IT DIDN'T WORK. I TRIED AGAIN, AND I STILL COULDN'T GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND I FINALLY STOPPED.

NHTSA complaint #11035569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MD

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11025169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MD

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11025169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Sanger, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10992266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles LOS Gatos, CA

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT ON MY KIA SPECTRA 2009 LOCKS UP ONCE IN A WHILE SO I CANNOT PUT MY SEATBELT ON. IT WILL LOCK NO MATTER IF I'M PULLING SLOWLY OR FAST. I AM NOT STEPPING ON THE BREAK WHEN IT LOCKS. THE CAR CAN BE MOVING OR STATIONARY WHEN IT LOCKS. THIS HAPPENS 5 TIMES OUT OF 10 WHEN I AM IN THE CAR. IT IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD!

NHTSA complaint #10966367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.