KIA INSTALLED FOUR PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PADS IN MY 2009 AND A NEW AIR BAG MODULE. WHILE IT WAS ALL COVERED BY WARRANTY WORK, NOW I PAID $133.54 TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN, AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY AN ESTIMATE OF $2535.34 PLUS TAX TO HAVE THE NEW SENSOR INSTALLED. I TALKED TO A MANAGER FOR KIA AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM. IT IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN ME AND THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, I…
2009 Kia Sorento airbags problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ON OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT.. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR FOUR TIMES. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER HAS INFORMED US THAT KIA TECH LINE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DE…
I BOUGHT A USED 2009 SORENTO KIA AND WHEN MY WIFE WAS SEATED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF SIGN WAS ON. THE LIGHT COMES OFF/ON RANDOMLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS ON THE SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
FIRST NOTICED IN THE SEPT. TIME PERIOD THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER MY WIFE SAT DOWN, AND EVEN IF SHE TRIED SHIFTING AROUND TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT SENSOR. MY WIFE WEIGHS MORE THAN 120 LBS. ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME THE SYSTEM SENSES HER PRESENCE FROM HER FIRST SITTING DOWN, WHILE THAT RISES TO ABOUT 75% IF SHE SHIFTS AROUND TO ACTIVATE THE SENSOR. COMMUNICATION …
MY SON WAS TRAVELING ON A MAIN ROAD IN TOWN WHEN THE CAR HYDROPLANED AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND HE LOST CONTROL. IT SENT HIM SLAMMING INTO A CULVERT, THEN IT BOUNCED OUT OF THE CULVERT AND RAN UP ON A RESIDENTIAL PORCH AND HIT A TREE. THE DRIVERS SIDE TOOK THE MAJORITY OF THE IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (FRONT OR SIDE). HE WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR PANEL AND THE CENTER CONSOLE. HE HAS CO…
THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT. I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 6-10 FEET TURNING LEFT IN REVERSE AT MAYBE 1-2 MPH IF THAT MUCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT NOR DID IT HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND THE HORN TO STAY ON. WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED, THE STEERING WHEEL COVER WHEN FORCED OPEN GASHED LEFT THUMB. AUTO INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER DEFECTS. TRYING TO WORK W…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILU…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE SENSOR YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Kia Sorento?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 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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