Six problems related to warning light on have been reported for the 2006 Kia Motor Spectra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Kia Motor Spectra based on all problems reported for the 2006 Spectra.
Air bag warning light came on while driving. When occupant is seated in the occupant seat, "air bag warning off" light remains. A specialist diagnosed the occupant sensor as being defective, the same design and issue as in the 2006 kia rio and kia optima, both of which have been recalled for this same specific issue. The cost for repair is approx. $1600. A recall should be implemented for this issue on the 2006 kia Spectra.
80,000 miles air bag warning light came on while driving. When occupant is seated in the occupant seat, "air bag warning off" light remains (even to this date 11/18/14). A kia specialist, in asheville, nc, diagnosed as wear and tear. Also, stated that it could be someone not sitting in the seat properly and/or over weight could cause it to go out. Seriously, no one in my car is over 190 lbs. The sensor isn't working and they said it would be $1800 to replace the seat and the sensor. Kia knows there are issues with the kia Spectra 2006 just like the rios. After researching on line and finding others have had the same issues with their kia's Spectra 2006 airbag, it is obvious that kia has airbag issues with the Spectra 2006 which needs to be resolved.
Air bag light warning light on the instrument panel came on, and mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty sensor in the front passenger seat (error code b1448 - OCS mat defective), and said that the bottom portion of the front passenger seat needed to be replaced (at a cost of $1,600). This is the same defect for which 06-08 kia rio's were recalled (NHTSA campaign number: 12v244000). The recall should be extended to include similar model year kia Spectras - there are a similar number of NHTSA complaints regarding airbags for the 06 kia Spectra as 06 kia rio. Problem was resolved by replacing the front passenger seat with one from an 04 kia Spectra from an auto salvage yard.
The contact owns 2006 kia Spectra. The contact stated that the air bag sensor failed and the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the air bag sensor at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2006 kia Spectra. The contact stated that while driving, the passenger side air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where they stated that the occupant classification system mat was defective and needed to be repaired. The contact received an email regarding NHTSA campaign id number: 12v244000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) however, the recall only pertained to the rio model and not the Spectra model. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed to the contact that the vehicle was not eligible for repairs under warranty and that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000.
The air bag warning light came on for the first time after very cold weather in January 2011. When weather warmed up in the spring, the light went out. January 2012 when it became cold again, the light came back on again. Now the light is on 99% of the time. It rarely ever goes out. This is the same thing that is covered by the kia optima 2006-2008 recall 12v014000.