What the Airbag Light on a Kia Means

Your Kia airbag light means the airbag system has a malfunction. Get it checked as soon as possible to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The appearance of your Kia’s airbag light means there’s a problem with the car’s supplemental restraint system—i.e., your Kia’s airbags. If you notice this light on your vehicle’s instrument panel, you should visit a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
As a Kia owner, it’s essential to understand what it means when your airbag light appears on the dash. And even if you’re a
car repair
beginner, it’s critical that you know how to proceed when the airbag light is lit. Luckily, we’ll go over everything you need to know about your Kia airbag light in this handy guide so you can cruise with comfort.
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What does the airbag light mean on a Kia?

The airbags in your Kia are part of its supplemental restraint system (SRS) and are critical safety features designed to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a crash. Every time you start your Kia, the car’s computer scans for errors with the SRS and other vehicle systems to keep you and your passengers safe. If the computer detects a problem, the
airbag light
will appear on your dash. 
Typically, the airbag light looks like a person buckled in with a large circle in front of them. Your Kia has two airbag lights—one is yellow or amber, and it means that the car detects weight in the passenger seat but not enough to activate the passenger-side airbag. The second light is red and indicates a malfunction with the airbag system
The red light is the one you’ll want to worry about, as it signifies an SRS problem that may be dangerous. While a variety of issues can cause this light to appear, these are the most common causes for your Kia:
  • Seat belt issues. The sensors in your Kia’s seatbelts can cause the airbag light to appear if they suffer a malfunction. The light may even turn on if one of your seatbelts is stuck or if debris is stuck in the latch.
  • Faulty airbag sensors. The crash sensors in your Kia tell your
    airbag control module
    when to expand the airbags. If these
    sensors are defective or malfunctioning
    , you may notice your airbag light appears on the dash.
  • Bad seat sensors. Your car’s front seat sensors detect when a person is sitting in the seat. If the wiring harnesses or sensors beneath the seats are bad, they could cause the airbag light to appear. 
  • Malfunctioning clock spring. The clock spring inside your Kia’s steering wheel is responsible for supplying electricity to the driver’s airbag. If the spring wears out, which happens over time, the airbag light may appear on the dash.
The reasons covered above are not the only things that can cause your airbag light to appear. If the airbag warning light is lit in your Kia, the smartest move is to take your car to the dealership for inspection. However, if you have access to an OBDII scan tool with SRS capabilities, you may be able to
check for error codes
associated with the airbag system. 

What you need to know about the Kia airbag recalls

In 2022, Kia recalled over 410,000 vehicles for airbag issues. The cars affected include:
These vehicles are built with airbags designed to inflate and protect occupants’ heads during a crash. However, the computer that controls these airbags has a cover that may make contact with the sensitive electronics, causing damage. When this occurs, the airbag light will illuminate, and the airbags themselves will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 
If you own one of these models and have yet to have the repairs performed, you should take your Kia to the dealership as soon as possible to ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers. 

How to reset the airbag warning light on a Kia

If your Kia’s airbag light is on, the smartest and safest move is to take your car to the dealership or a trusted mechanic for diagnosis and repair. However, if you want to try turning the light off yourself first, follow these steps:
  1. Turn your car’s ignition to the “ON” position without starting the engine.
  2. When the airbag light appears on the instrument panel, quickly turn the ignition “OFF.”
  3. Wait about three seconds, and then turn the ignition “ON” again.
  4. Repeat these steps at least three times.
After completing steps 1-3 three times, your Kia airbag light should disappear. If the light remains on or turns back on later, you should take your car to a professional for an inspection. 

Is it OK to drive with the Kia airbag light on?

You can drive your Kia with the airbag light on, but it’s unsafe to do so for the long term
Your Kia’s airbag light is an important warning that the SRS is not functioning correctly. This creates a dangerous situation for you and your passengers because the airbags may not deploy if you’re in an accident, or they may deploy at the wrong time
The safest and smartest thing to do if you notice an airbag light is to promptly take your car to a trusted mechanic for diagnosis and repair. 
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