2009 Kia Sorento Airbags Problems

Your passenger seat sensor pads and airbag module were replaced under warranty, but the underlying problem wasn't fixed. Now the dealer is asking you to pay $2,535.34 to install new sensors, and Kia says it's between you and the dealer. The issue is that warranty work replaced the parts without resolving the root cause. You may need to contact Kia directly or seek legal advice if the dealer won't address the original problem that keeps triggering sensor failures.

Your passenger side airbag off light frequently comes on on the dashboard even when an adult is sitting in the seat — it happens about 80% of the time, both while parked and while driving. The only way to turn the light off is to get out of the vehicle and sit back down, but it usually comes back on shortly after. The dealer has reset the computer and claimed the occupancy sensor is working properly, but the problem persists. You'll likely need the passenger seat occupancy sensor replaced or the airbag control module reprogrammed to fix this issue.

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 CONTINUING PAIN IN HIS BACK.

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 WITH KIA MOTORS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND MAKE VEHICLE SAFE. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IF THEY WILL FIX. OTHER KIA VEHICLES HAVE HAD AIRBAG PROBLEMS FROM MY RESEARCH. SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT MY ATTORNEY SAID DEFECTS ARE NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND MY VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE PRODUCT LIABILITY PERIOD.

PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT, AIRBAG INDICATOR WORKS ONLY SOME OF THE TIME WITH ADULT PASSENGER.

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 ON THE WEB AND THE AUSTIN DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NOTED THAT KIA HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. IN PARTICULAR, KIA HAD A SAFELY RECALL SC 076 A (COVERING 2007-2008 KIA SORENTOS) WHICH HAD SYMPTOMS IDENTICAL TO WHAT WE NOW ARE EXPERIENCING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE KIA TELEPHONE HELP LINE CLAIM MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THAT RECALL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON BLACK TOP RD. IT HAD BEEN SLEETING THE KIA I WAS DRIVING VEERED OFF THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF RD. I WENT OFF IN DITCH HITTING A TREE HEAD ON MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IS THIS NORMAL I DON'T THINK SO I THOUGHT THAT IS WHAT THEY WERE FOR MY INJURIES WERE SPRAINED WRIST & NECK & BACK & MY BREAST BONE HURTS I WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SORENTO LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY DOES THIS HAPPEN VERY OFTEN TO THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE? *TR

'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT ON REPEATEDLY WITH A PASSENGER IN SEAT AND AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF AND ON AND RE-POSITIONING OF PASSENGER MORE THAN 1 DOZEN TIMES! THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, AFTER SURVIVING BEING HIT HEAD-ON, SEVERELY INJURED AND OUR VEHICLE DESTROYED. AIR BAGS HELPED SAVE OUR LIVES. THE SORENTO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE IN FEBRUARY 2010. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY TALKED TO KIA HEADQUARTERS AND DEALERSHIPS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. NORMAL PASSENGER IS MUCH HEAVIER THAN 120 LB "GRAY AREA" NOTED TO AFFECT ACTIVATION. ONE DEALERSHIP PRINTED A READOUT "PROVING" USUAL PASSENGER "SITS LIGHT" - ADVISED ADJUSTING SITTING POSITION. YESTERDAY TEMPS IN AZ EXCEEDED 110 DEGREES AND THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERE. THE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, WOULD GO OFF AND COME BACK ON AS SOON AS THE SHIFTING LEVER WAS MOVED. THE PASSENGER LIFTED AND READJUSTED EACH TIME TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROCESS WAS REPEATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. OFTEN THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE TO EXIT DRIVEWAY OR PARKING PLACE, WITH NO MOVEMENT FROM PASSENGER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD!! MUST SOMEONE DIE BEFORE KIA CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM?!?! (AIR BAG SHOULD ALWAYS BE ACTIVATED!!!!!) KIA SHOULD BE MANDATED TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR!!!!!!!! CORRECTION OF THIS PROBLEM IS SURELY LESS EXPENSIVE THAN LAWSUITS FOR INJURIES/DEATHS CAUSED BY INACTIVE AIR BAGS! *TR

AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE PROBLEM FIXED, KIA STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT ALWAYS DETECT PERSON ON SEAT. WHAT BS!!! NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? SOMEONE DYING? OR MULTIPLE? *TR

VEHICLE HAS HAS REPEATED ISSUES WITH PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NOT RECOGNIZING 120 LB. FEMALE PASSENGER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER (FISHER KIA IN BOULDER, CO) AND WAS TOLD AIR BAG HAD A "GRAY AREA" BETWEEN 80-120 LBS WHERE IT MAY NOT ACTIVATE PROPERLY. I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED WITH MY WIFE IN PASSENGER SEAT.

2009 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES THAT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATED THE AIRBAG WAS DISABLED. THE DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT HIS WIFE DIDN'T WEIGH ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO REGISTER. *KB

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 FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED SUCCESSFULLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,253.

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 BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,920.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE VEHICLE INCORRECTLY AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT FAULT TO THE FAILURE AND WAS CONCERNED WITH THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/11/10.*LJ

2009 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE DOES NOT PROTECT THE FRONT PASSENGER IF THE WEIGHT IS LESS THAN 120 POUNDS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PANEL READ PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF. *JB

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 DESIGNED AND THERE ARE NO FURTHER REPAIRS THAT CAN BE PERFORMED. WE HAVE FOLLOWED ALL PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ACCURATELY REGISTER A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. WITH THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT OFF" LIT, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

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

SINCE JANUARY 2009 WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH KIA MOTORS BECAUSE MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. ALL KIA HAS DONE IS UPDATE THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH HASN'T WORKED. THEY HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. MY PROBLEM IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOW UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THEM 12 TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. KIA HAS OFFERED ME $1500.00 TO GO AWAY. I REFUSED. I WANT THIS SAFETY ISSUE FIXED. *TR