The airbag light in my daughter's 2006 kia spectra stays on. the passenger/occupant sensor mat is defective. this problem first appeared at 61,000 miles. the dealership says the repair will cost in excess of $2,000, so i cannot afford to have this fixed. also, the brake switch is defective and only works intermittently. this prevents the brake lights from illuminating.
I was driving on hwy 40 e approaching exit 153 in heavy rainfall. approximately 0.25 miles from the exit the truck already on the exit ahead of me began applying its brakes. pre-braking measures were taken. the wheels locked up and i collided with the truck in front of me and flew forward into the steering wheel. i had been braking the entire time, but my seat-belt did not lock into place. my airbag did not deploy. i suffered bruising, severe headaches, and minor cuts as a result. insurance declared car as total loss. *tr