Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Kia Forte owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while stopped at the traffic light, a tractor-trailer crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained back pain. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was still drivable at the scene. Prior to the crash, the dealer was contacted on several occasions to schedule an appointment for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer would reschedule each appointment attempt. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,100.
On August 22nd 2025 my daughter was driving this vehicle and was in a car accident and her front air bags did not deploy. Her passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger but nothing in the front and it was a front collision. Upon receipt of the Paperwork from Copart we learned there was an active recall from 2018 for the front airbags possibly not deploying and resulting in injury during a collision, which is what happened. Her knee and ribs were injured from hitting the steering wheel. The car was declared a total loss from insurance.
Air bag light turned on June 2025. Could not be reset. Had local shop read the code. Driver's side air bag, likely clock spring. Brought it to the dealership after a month wait for appointment. It was confirmed that it was the Clock Spring and replaced. This is not a wear part. Research shows a very common issue with other kia and hyundai makes and models of a similar age that were actively recalled.. Kia declined and will not reimburse due to not having a recall for my specific make, model, and year.
In June 2021 my air bag light came on. Called the dealership to have them check it out. Said they would get back with me to have it checked. 2-3 days later I was driving and hit a pothole air bags deployed while driving busted windshield driver and passenger side airbags deployed. Busted windshield and broke both seatbelts cannot pull out or be safe driving it Kia of America.
Airbag light will not turn off after 6 seconds. Stays on even when driving. Cruise control turns on sporadically when trying to turn off, it will not respond stays on. Car will be inspected on 10/03/2023 by Earnhardt Peoria KIA Peoria Az.
The 2010 Kia was traveling on a rural state highway with at a speed that has not been determined yet. When coming over a hill the car leaves the right side of road way, the driver over corrects spinning the car, it travels 180-200'feet backwards, leaves the road way snd side impact a tree. My 14'year old was wearing a safety device at the time she was on the right passenger side which is where the impact occurred she was found . She was pronouned at the scene . She was found still in the safety device her bottom half was somewhat in the passenger compartment under the dash and her top half still buckled in was found over into the driver seat/floorboard. …
Kia airbag recallgood day, my vehicle (2010 Kia, Forte) which was totaled in rear-ended car accident (while waiting at stop-light on a city street) from a distracted driver that took place on 11/1/2011. My neck was severely injured, which required surgery in March, 2012. In fact, I obtained social security disability (ssdi) in 2013 based on that neck injury. By the way, after receiving retro ssdi, I purchased a 2012 Kia Forte and presently waiting for my recall-notification for repair/fix. I'm writing in regards to the recent Kia airbag recall. The airbag in my 2010 Kia Forte did not depoly in the 2011 car accident. Please view submitted photos images. The past photos submitted showed the driver's wheel airbag did not deploy, as I hit the car in front of me after being rear-ended. In my opinion, Kia corporation should be held responsible for airbag failure in my past car accident case. …
2010 Kia Forte rear ended a 2012 Toyota venza while traveling at approximately 40 MPH on wet asphalt pavement. Upon collision, the air bag failed to deploy and seal belt restraint failed to hold back driver of the Kia. Drivers forehead hit and bent steering wheel and caused major front end damage to the Kia and considerably less damage to the Toyota venza. Kia was not drivable, so it was taken to a salvage yard of a flat bed truck. Driver of Kia was taken to hospital for x-rays and evaluation. Driver of Kia suffer neck\back pain, bruised forehead and head ache and was prescribed pain pills & anti inflammatory medication. My greatest concern is that I own two Kia's, one for each of my collage age kids and fear that the same outcome May occur again with dire consequences. …
I was sitting at a stop sign waiting to make a left hand turn when an SUV heading north made a left hand turn onto the street I was on in front of another SUV, the SUV making the left turn was broadsided by the other SUV and then thrown into the front of my car, my car was then thrown into the SUV behind me. None of the airbags in my car deployed at the time of the accident. I injured my left shoulder, my car was considered a total loss because the front rails where not repairable and I have learned that I tore the rotator cuff in my left shoulder and required surgery to fix it. I don't understand how a hit this hard that would cause this type of damage to my vehicle would not cause the airbags to deploy....updated 03-11-15...updated 12/30/15 updated 9/26/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the driver crashed into a deer. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for repairs. The dealer (dennis eakin Kia, located at 5200 east central texas expy, killeen, texas 76543, [phone]) was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags) on June 20, 2018. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle…
NHTSA investigations
Air bags may be disabled during crash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles.
Airbag complaints in other Forte years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Kia Forte?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Kia Forte, 19% of the model year's 221 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Kia Forte airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-363 (air bag/restraint control module, Jun 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Kia Forte airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.