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Air bagsPart report

2008 Kia Spectra Air bags Problems

Complaints
61about this part
Share
50%of 121 total for the year
Median mileage
63,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 61 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Kia Spectra, 50% of the 121 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,500 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The passenger airbag sensor started failing when I purchased the car in 2017 and has since completely failed, which has caused the airbag light to turn on. The Kia dealership wants to charge $140 to run an airbag diagnostic and from what I have researched, I will have to replace the entire seat, which may cost more than the value of the car. My concern at this point is whether or not any of the airbags will be deployed in the event of a collision.”

NHTSA complaint #11416583, filed 2021-05, 120,000 miles

“My airbag light is staying on when occupied. I'm at almost 60,000 mls. Thought I saw something about a recall sometime ago so l was surprised that I couldn't find any considering the complaints l've been seeing. I don't have to many passengers as my children were always in back and just started riding in front. So I'm not sure how long it could have been going on. Just wanted to let someone know another 08' s light is lit. Thanks for your time.”

NHTSA complaint #11078484, filed 2018-03, 60,000 miles

“When my son, who is 12 years old sits in the front passenger seat (weighs 103 pounds) the light goes off sometimes or stays on sometimes for the airbag system, but when my fiancee who is in excess of 180 pounds sits in the seat, the airbag light stays on, thus would not deploy in case of an accident. This happens sporadically, not constantly.”

NHTSA complaint #10375380, filed 2011-01, 36,000 miles

“Dashboard airbag light illuminated, and nothing I tried--scanner, calling the dealer, and inspecting it myself--seems to be addressing the issue. I see multiple people are experiencing simpler symptoms. The light illuminates as usual upon ignition and shuts off as normal. It then comes back on around 10 to 20 seconds after the car starts, and it does not shut off until I turn off the car. The it sounds like a warranty issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10787951, filed 2015-11, 103,000 miles

“I actually own 2 kias same year and model. Air bag light would come on and off when someone would sit in passenger seat. Then it started staying on all the time on so it was still under warranty so they replaced the sensor. Now my husbands Kia is doing the same exact thing and it is out of warranty so they refuse to fix it without charging me, so I have to ride with him at my own risk because I have no air bag protection on my side.”

NHTSA complaint #10502779, filed 2013-03, 58,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20097667%
20086150%
20075637%
20064646%
20054342%
20042637%
20031112%
20022224%
2001923%
2000939%

Other parts of the 2008 Kia Spectra

Vehicle speed control
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Kia Spectra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology