The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat track failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Duluth, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. Upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the occupancy sensor was defective and the front passenger seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Beth Paige, NY, USA

The air bag light came on in dash. The car dealer said it came from the passenger side seat and that the air bag is defective and will not deploy in a crash. He said that it would be $1600 to $1700 to fix if I wanted it fixed. My wife just pulled into her mother's driveway when the light came on and it will not go out and right now is scared that the bag will go off with her mother who is 92 in the seat. I think the price is steep and if anyone should pay to have it fixed that it should be Kia to fix it.

- Susquehanna, PA, USA

Reference: Defective driver's seat this letter is in reference to a faulty seat in the 2008 Kia Optima ex, one I currently own. I am bringing this matter to your attention because of the danger this represents to drivers of Kia vehicles that have electric adjustable seats. My wife and I were very fortunate we were not involved in a traffic fatality due to this. Recently, while traveling, the driver's seat retracted to its full-upright, full-forward position. In this position, the headrest forced my wife's head down into the steering wheel and up against it. She was able to stop the car safely. The only way to drive the car was to remove the headrest, which allowed enough room between the steering wheel and the body to steer the car. I contacted casey Kia while stopped to ask what could be done to release the seat. I was told to remove the seat's fuse from the inside cabin fuse panel, which should disengage it; this did not work, and we were forced to drive three hours to the nearest repair shop. There is no manual override mechanism in the 2008 Kia Optima ex to unlock a seat when the electric seat adjustment mechanism fails. This is the second time there have been problems with the driver-side seat. The first driver's seat was replaced because of a faulty seat-heater while under the original warranty. The replacement seat when installed in the car because the adjustment knob was loose and never secure. Three issues are paramount, the safety for Kia drivers, the fact there is no manual override for electric seats, and no warranty for replacement seats on such occasions, the first here being of most importance.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA