NHTSA Complaint #10201075 — 2007 KIA SORENTO

I HAVE A 2007 KIA SORRENTO THAT WAS PURCHASED PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE 5 STAR SAFETY RATING. HOWEVER, IN MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEACTIVATION SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A CHILD ALSO DEACTIVATES THE AIRBAG MORE THAN 50% OF THE TIME WHEN AN ADULT OCCUPIES THE SEAT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO MY DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THERE IS NO "FIX" FROM THE FACTORY. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE IS NOT AWARE OF ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ( I DOUBT THAT) AND THAT KIA WAS NOT PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS A "SECONDARY PROTECTION DEVICE" WHICH WAS NOT REALLY NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IF THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING HIS/HER SEAT BELT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY BASICALLY "BLEW ME OFF" SAYING THAT KIA WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IN "DUE TIME". HOW CAN KIA ADVERTISE A 5 STAR SAFETY RATING WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS SENSOR ISSUE AND ARE NOT WILLING OR ABLE TO FIX IT? APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS SOME FALSE ADVERTISING GOING ON AND REALLY WE HAVE ABOUT A 2 STAR SAFETY RATING! *JB