292 of the
3,596 complaints filed about the KIA Forte
are about the airbag system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
This malfunction started in August of 2025 within 12 months of buying this new vehicle. A airbag sensor was replaced, then a national bbb case found the same malfunction only this time it includes the whole safty system failure. I gave the manufacturer a year and they have not corrected the malfunction. I am forced to drive a unsafe car *if I get hit my airbags will NOT DEPLOY*
NHTSA complaint #11753181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is a class action lawsuit concerning the airbag control unit not functioning properly leading to safety issues during a crash. The case is called ZF-TRW Airbag Control Unit Product Liabilty Litigation. Case number XXX My Kia Forte was on the list of recalled vehicles. I have been having electrical problems with my car and this may be the answer I have been looking for !! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11742145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving home, on my way while driving I approached a curve on my way around the curve my vehicle continued to accelerate to the right as I was going around the curve. I tried to redirect the vehicle back to the left by trying to turn the steering wheel towards the left but I could not control the direction of the way the vehicle continued on. Still trying to turn the steering wheel back towards the left it kept to the right and ran off the road into a tree. Also once impact occurred i don’t remember if the airbags deployed because my head was laying flat on the steering wheel. Once the emergency services arrived I was accessed and removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital emergency. There were no warning lights or messages what so ever ahead of the accident. A claim with the insurance was filed and also a complaint with the Kia manufacturer was filed. At this time no one has accessed the damages of the vehicle, State Farm has the vehicle at this time.
NHTSA complaint #11740816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving in a road, when a female deer appeared out of the trees and bushes from the right shoulder of the road. I tried not to hit it but but the deer got in my way. I hit the deer and quickly moved over to the right shoulder. The whole front right of the vehicle was destroyed and the airbags did not open. Sheriff arrived and saw the vehicle, the vehicles debri and the deer which had to be put down. He asked for the vehicles registration and did a report of the accident. The Sheriff then called a local tow company who arrived in a couple of minutes and towed the vehicle to their garage/shop.
NHTSA complaint #11740134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results
NHTSA complaint #11722834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My son was in a car accident in my car January 1 at none of the Air bags went off. Not one there is a police report and I have pictures. Its a 2023 kia forte
NHTSA complaint #11718865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on a bend in the highway, a deer jumped over the barrier and landed on the top of the contact's front windshield. The contact stated that she was knocked unconscious due to the impact. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. The contact was strapped in the driver's seat when she regained consciousness. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The state police were called to the scene of the accident. Days later, after the accident, the contact went to Urgent Care. However, when the contact explained that she was unconscious, the contact was referred to the hospital. The contact went to the hospital, was informed that there were no bone fractures, and was referred to her personal medical provider. The contact sustained a bruise from the seat belt on her left shoulder; glass shards were embedded in the right forearm. The contact stated that from the impact, the torso slammed into the front windshield. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard, and then the insurance company towed the vehicle to a collision center. The insurance company was pending an investigation. The contact had not released the vehicle. The contact was unaware of all the facts of the accident. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11717259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving a vehicle two cars ahead did and illegal turn the car behind it stopped the truck behind them stopped I stopped behind the truck the car behind me did not stop and slammed me into the back of the truck in my airbags did not deploy
NHTSA complaint #11717285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On May 13, 2023, I was involved in a severe frontal collision on the passenger side while driving my 2021 Kia Forte. The impact caused significant damage, and my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Despite the severity of the crash, none of the airbags deployed. I experienced body pain for several days following the accident. Given the nature of the collision and the damage sustained, the airbags should have deployed to protect the occupants. This raises serious concerns about the reliability of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).
NHTSA complaint #11713406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am filing a formal complaint regarding serious safety and mechanical problems with my vehicle. The brakes do not function properly and I have to add brake fluid every few days, which indicates a possible leak or brake system failure. This creates an extremely dangerous driving condition. The vehicle also has electrical problems, including malfunctioning lights. The engine has lost power, making it unsafe to drive, especially in traffic or on highways. In addition, the airbag warning light is on, which means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, putting me at risk of serious injury or death. These problems have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate. I am requesting that these issues be inspected and repaired immediately at no cost to me, or that the vehicle be replaced or refunded under warranty or consumer protection laws. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others, and I expect this matter to be handled urgently.
NHTSA complaint #11710115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Large Buck deer hit car with force, did not loose control, did not slam brakes attempted to pull to side of road. The hood flew up and had to use the emergency brake to come to full stop, put in park but the gas was full throttle. Neither airbag deployed and definitely should have.
NHTSA complaint #11707081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There are 3 recalls on my engine type but kia dealership says no recalls,#21V6220000,#22V031000,#21V260000. ENGINE TYOE 2.0L NU MPI ENGINE(SC210),MY ph#XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11700945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's cousin owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked unattended by the privacy fence. The contact was alerted by her nephew and observed that the vehicle was on fire. The front windshield had shattered, and smoke was visible inside the cabin. The fire appeared to originate from the dashboard area. The contact used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames with the assistance of her brother. The local fire department arrived on the scene and completed extinguishing the fire. The airbags deployed during the incident, and the fire department declared the vehicle a total loss. Upon investigation, the contact was able to link the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11692569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.