MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WILL NOT GO OUT WHEN IT IS RESET, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SENSOR IS BAD, IS THERE A RECALL ON THE SENORS
2009 Kia Rio airbags problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
WE PURCHASED THE ABOVE CAR IN MAY 2014 FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN VANCOUVER WA. AFTER AWHILE, I AS PASSENGER GOT TO LOOKING AT AN OFF SIGN WHICH WAS ON ALL THE TIME. LOOKED FURTHER TO SEE THE WORDS PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF. WHICH I ASSUME MEANS IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT HAVE PROTECTION. AFTER 4 TRIPS TO HANNAH KIA IN OUR AREA, THEY HANDED ME A KIA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETING DATED FEB.2008 INSTRUCT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF TALLAHASSEE LOCATED AT: 2755 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 666-5407, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE CAR IS TRAVELING. I BELIEVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. I NOTIFIED KIA MOTORS ON 6 OCT 2014 AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY ACTION. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER AIR BAG REMAINS "OFF". MALFUNCTION OCCURS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION 7/7/2017. IT REAR-ENDED A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY BE TOTALED DUE TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. PER PHOTOS, FRONT FASCIA WAS DESTROYED, DAMAGE EXTENDED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND THE ENGINE WILL NO LONGER START NOR RUN. HOWEVER, THE SRS AIRBAG LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL (PER PHOTO) NEVER DEPLOYED. T…
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Kia Rio?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
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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