NHTSA complaint: 2009 KIA SPECTRA — AIR BAGS
FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE LAST, MY DAUGHTER (17 YRS OLD AND A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL) WAS RIDING WITH HER FRIEND AND WAS HIT BY A CAR IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA. THE CAR MY DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN, A 2009 KIA SPECTRA, WAS TOTALED. YET, DESPITE THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK. HENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, HER NOSE WAS BROKE, SHE RECEIVED BLOOD IN THE VENTRICLES OF THE BRAIN AND SHE IS EXTREMELY SORE, TO SAY THE LEAST. FUNNY THING IS THAT THE DRIVER'S DAD TOOK THE BRAND NEW CAR (5,000 MILES AND 3 MONTHS OLD) TO THE DEALER OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS TOLD THAT A PASSENGER HAD TO BE 100 LBS AND BE SEATED JUST RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO ENGAGE. THE EMT/FIREMEN WHO RESCUED BY DAUGHTER CAN ALL VOUCH FOR THIS. HOW IS IT THAT KIA CAN ADVERTISE 'AIRBAGS' AS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN THEY ONLY DEPLOY RANDOMLY? *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation