YearToAvoid

2009 Kia Spectra Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 76 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2009 Kia Spectra, 67% of all 114 complaints for this model year. That is the highest airbag complaint count among 5 Spectra model years. These complaints report 15 crashes, 1 fire, and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 71,000 miles.

Airbags complaints
76
67% of 114 complaints
All complaints this year
114
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
10
Median mileage
71,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Kia Spectra airbag complaints were filed

First complaint May 26, 2009, latest Feb 25, 2020.

2009 Kia Spectra airbags complaints: complaints filed per month5May 2009Jan 2011Jan 2013Feb 2014Mar 2015Sep 2015Mar 2016Sep 2017
76 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2009 to Feb 2020; peak Jan 2016 (5).

Airbags recalls for the 2009 Kia Spectra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Airbags complaints by Spectra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200543 (42%)
  2. 200646 (46%)
  3. 200756 (37%)
  4. 200861 (50%)
  5. 200976 (67%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Kia Spectra have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2009 Kia Spectra, 67% of all complaints for this model year, including 15 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 71,000 miles.
Which Kia Spectra year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2009 Kia Spectra has the most airbag complaints (76), compared with 76 for the 2009.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2009 Kia Spectra?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Kia Spectra is classified under airbags. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.