Driver's and passenger's front airbag
The indicators are the words "AIR BAG" located on the airbag pad cover and driver's knee area on the steering wheel and the passenger's side front panel pad above the glove box.
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) consists of airbags installed under the pad covers in the center of the steering wheel and the passenger's side front panel above the glove box.
The purpose of the SRS is to provide the vehicle's driver and/or the front passenger with additional protection of the seat belt system alone in case of a frontal impact of sufficient severity. The SRS uses sensors to gather information about the driver's and front passenger's seat belt usage and impact severity.
The seat belt buckle sensor determines if the front passenger's seat belt is fastened.
These sensors provide the ability to control the SRS deployment based on whether the seat belts are fastened, and how severe the impact is.
The advanced SRS offers the ability to control the airbag inflation with two levels. A first stage level is provided for moderate impacts. A second stage level is provided for severe impacts.
According to the impact severity and seat belt usage, the SRS Control Module (SRSCM) controls the airbag inflation. Failure to properly wear seat belts can increase the risk or severity of injury in an accident.
Additionally, your vehicle is equipped with an ODS in the front passenger's seat. The ODS detects the presence of a passenger in the front passenger's seat and will turn off the front passenger's airbag under certain conditions. For more detail, see More Details.
Modification to the seat structure can cause the airbag to deploy at a different level than should be provided.
Manufacturers are required by government regulations to provide a contact point concerning modifications to the vehicle for persons with disabilities, which modifications may affect the vehicle's advanced airbag system. That contact is Kia's toll-free Customer Assistance center at 1-800-333-4542 (U.S. only). However, Kia neither endorses nor will it support any changes to any part or structure of the vehicle that could affect the advanced airbag system, including the ODS.
Replacement/modifications
The front passenger seat, dashboard or door should not be replaced except by an authorized Kia dealer using original Kia parts designed for this vehicle and model. Any other such replacement or modification could adversely affect the operation of the Occupant Detection System and your advanced airbags.
Advanced airbags are combined with pre-tensioner seat belts to help provide enhanced occupant protection in frontal crashes. Front airbags are not intended to deploy in collisions in which sufficient protection can be provided by the seat belt.
Airbags can only be used once – have an authorized Kia dealer replace the airbag immediately after deployment.
Front airbags are not intended to deploy in side-impacts, rear-impacts or rollovers. When the frontal deployment threshold is satisfied in a side-impact, the front airbags may deploy. In addition, front airbags will not deploy in frontal impact below the deployment threshold.
SRS wiring
Do not tamper with or disconnect SRS wiring or other components of the SRS system. This could result in injury, due to accidental deployment of the airbags or by rendering the SRS inoperative.
Do not attach objects
No objects (such as an instrument panel cover, mobile phone holder, cup holder, perfume, stickers, etc.) should be placed over or near the airbag modules on the steering wheel, instrument panel, windshield glass or front passenger's instrument panel above the glove box. Such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a collision severe enough to deploy the airbags.
Do not place any objects over the airbag or between the air bag and yourself.
Never place or insert any object into any small opening near side airbag labels attached to the vehicle seats.
When the airbag deploys, the object may affect the deployment and result in an unexpected accident or injury.