NHTSA Complaint #10174219 — 2006 KIA OPTIMA

WE PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA A FEW MONTHS BACK. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A FEATURE, THE DE-ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN THE SEAT IS VACANT. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 104 LBS AND DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE THE SWITCH AS INDICATED BY THE FACT THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF, AND THEREFORE IS UNPROTECTED IF THERE WAS A FRONTAL CRASH. THE DEALER CHECKED AND INDICATED THAT THE SWITCH IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES SHE CAN GET THE INDICATOR TO GO OFF BY MOVING AROUND AND/OR BOUNCING ON THE SEAT. THE OTHER FUN FACT IS THAT WE CAN BE RIDING ALONG AND THE INDICATOR WILL COME ON OR IF IT IS ON IT WILL SOMETIME TURN OFF. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY RHYME OR REASON FOR THE ACTIVATION OR DE-ACTIVATION OF THE SENSOR SWITCH. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SENSOR SWITCH CAN NOT BE BY-PASSED BECAUSE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *NM