2009 KIA Spectra problems
Owners have filed 152 complaints about the 2009 KIA Spectra with NHTSA. Air bags account for 51.3% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of seats at 7.2%.
Complaints152
Crashes29
Fires1
Injuries18
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Air bags 51.3% · 78
Seats 7.2% · 11
Electrical system 6.6% · 10
Seat belts 5.9% · 9
Vehicle speed control 3.9% · 6
Structure 3.3% · 5
Engine 3.3% · 5
Fuel/propulsion system 2.6% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 29 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire, 18 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the KIA Spectra in this data, 2009 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 21 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Passenger seat does not always sense there is a passenger setting in the seat. The dealer replaced the passenger seat once and it did work ok for about two months they now refuse to work on it till they see proof of it not working. They claim company policy will not allow them to work on it. I feel they are putting my passengers in the way of harm and could be liable for injury or death. Air bags · reported at 13,096 miles
The contact owns a 2009 KIA Spectra. While driving approximately 45 mph, the front passenger side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed that the passenger side occupancy seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Air bags · reported at 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 KIA Spectra. While the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the occupant classification system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. Air bags · reported at 85,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…