THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $1,600. I AM GETTING IT REPAIRED, SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIR BAG WARRANTY IN THE WARRANTY MANUAL. AS A SAFETY ISSUE, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR.. .UPDATED 07/21/15 *BF THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARN…
2008 Kia Spectra airbags problems
critical 67 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
67
Recalls
0
Crashes
18
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
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 S…
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
VEHICLE HIT FROM REAR AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE TO DRIVERS SIDE AND VEHICLE IN FRONT. FIRE DEPT AT SCENE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED WHERE AIRBAG SENSOR IS AND SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF. DRIVER WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. CHILDREN IN BACK SEAT VERY MINOR INJURIES.
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 A…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DOES NOT DIM WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SENDING A RE-CALIPER SWITCH TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. TWO WEEKS LATER, NO ONE HAS CALLED THE CONTACT REGARDING THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SHOWS "OFF' WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. MY WIFE IS 5 FT. EVEN, AND WEIGHS OVER 135 LBS. BUT THE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF FOR HER. I TRIED IT (I WEIGH AROUND 200) AND IT WENT OFF. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. *TR
LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES OFF WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON..SUSPECT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE..BEFORE IT WAS AN OCCASIONAL THING. NOW ITS EVERYTIME I START THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Kia Spectra?
It's a serious issue. 67 complaints have been filed, including 18 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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