Investigations
Occupant Classification System
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE15031 — closed, opened 2015-09-01 and involving the KIA SPECTRA.
NHTSA investigation PE15031 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2015-09-01 and currently closed. The subject of record is KIA SPECTRA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for KIA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2016-02-11 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE15031 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles. Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle. The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related KIA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles. Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle. The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat. This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag. The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use. An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated. If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat. The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat. Reports alleging only that the "air bag light is on" with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction. Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse. The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years. An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service. Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat pro
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other KIA Investigations
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
Windshield Wiper Failure
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Loss of Motive Power
Vehicle Rollaway
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.