Airbags; frontal; sensor/control module: Passenger airbag seat sensor malfunction. The center console passenger seat airbag (yellow occupancy) on/off light would illuminate interment when passenger sat in passenger seat regardless of speed or motion, I.e., shortly after engine startup through shutdown (should have been no light illuminated with passenger in seat). The problem started mid July 2012 and continued intermittently over the next 6 months until the red airbag inoperative light (in the speedometer cluster) came on and remained illuminated in late Dec 2012. Aprox weight of three passengers who frequented the passenger seat over the 6 month period) were 135, 150 and 215 lbs respectively. Passenger (seat) airbag sensor malfunction was confirmed (diagnosed and isolated) by holmes automotive of fort walton beach fl, on 24 Dec 2012. Believe identical problem as NHTSA campaign id nbr 12V244000.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the driver was traveling at unknown speeds and crashed into another vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to prevent the driver from striking the steering wheel. The contact's vehicle was pushed under the second vehicle involved in the crash. The driver sustained injuries to the eye, fifth vertebrae and a collapsed lung. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The driver was transported to the hospital via ambulance and remained hospitalized for approximately 20 days before passing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who later diagnosed the vehicle. The results determined that the air bag sensor was not impacted due to the positioning of the vehicle in the crash. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

- Elmhurst, NY, USA

Car took me off the side of the road and straight into a tree dead center roughly going 35 miles an hour. Air bags did not deploy!!!! hit my head on steering wheel. And now trying to figure out if it was the dealership selling defective cars or if its Kia defect. Not understanding this whole airbag does not deploy thing because the safety graph explains 0-8 mph airbags will never go off 8-14 mph airbags are possible but not likely 14-above airbags should deploy always.

- Evansville, IN, USA

Right front seat air bag sensor, dealer states none of the air bags will deploy in a collision because of this sensor.

- Naples, FL, USA

Experiencing same problem as below, believe that sensors are identical parts, request assistance to include all Kia models produced during this time period that are experiencing same problem. Problem verified by colonial Kia, colonial heights, va as seat sensor on 6 Jul 12. NHTSA has issued the following safety recall: Make: Kia model: Rio model year: 2007 manufacturer: Kia motors corporation mfr's report date: May 29, 2012 NHTSA campaign id number: 12V244000 NHTSA action number: N/a component: Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module.

- Chester, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra 5. the contact stated that the passenger side air bag sensor warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. Updated 07/10/12 when the consumer contacted the dealer about the air bag light illuminating when the seat was occupied, the dealer advised her to sit more centered in the seat. Updated 07/11/12

- Irmo, SC, USA

2007 Kia Spectra. Consumer states airbags did not deploy during collision the consumer stated he was driving 15 mph and was rear ended by another vehicle, who was traveling at 70 mph. The consumer stated his vehicle was equipped with front and side air bags and none of them deployed.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the patch of ice on the road caused her to crash into the guard rail while driving 65 mph. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was completely destroyed. She sustained injuries to her head when she hit it on the steering wheel and became unconscious. A police report is available if needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Hellertown, PA, USA

1. two passengers (female 64 yr driver and female 13 yr old passenger) were proceeding down a residential road in a 2007 Kia Spectra at less than 20 mph. Halfway down the road, driver began to lightly apply the brake knowing that the stop sign was further down the road. At this moment the car revved and experienced sudden acceleration. The driver shouted out that something was wrong with the car. The driver attempted to stop the car but the brakes failed. The car accelerated to approximately 60 mph. Unable to stop, the car went through the stop sign and proceeded across the street towards a guard rail. Driver instinctively turned the wheel to the left so that the car would not hit the guard rail head on. The vehicle collided with the guard rail on the passenger side, throwing the driver into the passenger seat, where the other passenger was sitting. The driver hit her head hard on the passenger window and experienced other injuries as a result of being thrown from the driver seat. The air bags in the car failed to deploy. The car bounced off the guard rail and proceeded at full speed across the street again. The car ran over some small hedges in a resident's yard and proceeded up a steep hill before coming to a stop. The passenger of the car immediately dialed 911 and the police/ambulance arrived shortly after. 2. the car's electronic throttle is believed to be defective. This defect results in random episodes of sudden acceleration when the brakes are applied. Because the episodes are random, the problem is not easily duplicated. However, there are numerous documented cases of sudden acceleration in Kia vehicles on the internet. 3. vehicle was towed to a mechanic for investigation. Mechanic attempted a diagnostic test, but mechanic reported that the 2007 Kia Spectra is not sophisticated enough to apply such a test. Vehicle was then taken to the local Kia dealership for further examination. Kia claims they are unable to duplicate the problem.

- Taunton , MA, USA

2007 Kia Spectra has a problem with the air bag and sensor on the passenger's side. The consumer stated the passenger side air bag light would not go out when the seat was occupied. The consumer stated after 4 months of complaining and finally calling corporate, the air bag sensor was replaced. In September 2008, the problem resurfaced again. The air bag module needed to be replaced. In Dec 2008, the problem with the air bag resurfaced again. The front end of the vehicle began to make noises. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Upon diagnosis, the sway bar links were faulty, the wheel bearing had to be replaced and the speaker in the front door had blown. The cruise control worked sporadically.

- Russellville, TN, USA

My daughter was critically injured in a rollover accident with my 2007 Kia Spectra. I purchased this vehicle because of the "safety" ratings and felt she would be well protected in an accident. This vehicle was equipped with side curtain airbags as well as dash airbags. None of the airbags deployed in this accident. In reading the information packet that came with the vehicle I understand the front airbags are not designed to deploy in a rollover, however I believe the side airbags should have according to the information provided. Others I have spoken with (mechanics, attorneys etc) agree. This vehicle was 8 months old and had only 8000 miles on it. It was a "total loss":

- Benson, AZ, USA

I had a 2007 Kia Spectra. My daughter was going to Washington to help her husband fix up an apartment for them to move in. I suggested to my daughter that she could take my car since it was new and more reliable. I received a call about 12:30 am. She told me that someone stopped quickly in front of her and she veered to keep from hitting her. She said that when she did something happened with the car and she lost control. She ended getting hit from behind and pushed into another vehicle. Sandwiching the car in the middle. I might would have thought that it was human error on her part. But, the air bags did not even deploy. This tells me that something was horribly wrong with my car and my daughter was blessed to have been able to walk away from the accident. My car was a total loss and the insurance adjuster told me there was nothing salvageable from this car. I told him that I felt that it was strange that both the front and back of the car was crushed and the air bags did not deploy. This tells me something was terribly wrong. Can you look into this for me. Thank you for your time and consideration.

- Forest City, NC, USA

The contact rented a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the front and rear passenger side air bags deployed without warning when the key was placed in the ignition. The driver suffered hearing loss in the left ear, whiplash in the neck, and a cut on the arm. The rear passenger was a nine year old child who suffered head injuries. The VIN, engine size, number of cylinders, and purchase date were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 29,000.

- Turtle Creek, PA, USA