2011 Kia Forte Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  730%
• 25k–50k
  417%
• 50k–75k
  29%
• 75k–100k
  522%
• 100k–150k
  417%
• 150k+
  14%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Kia Forte owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all lights on the front door shut on steering wheel locked on friendship Road exit 8 and the vehicle had to be towed to a shop we're now it was put on a lift and there is a hole in the bottom of the engine , And the transmission is not in tact

No incident yet, but I see other Kia's that have been recalled for powertrain system and air bag issues. The power train issue comes up when I get my engine light checked and the airbag light is on. Also, a constant problem is the break switch, the push button car won't start sometimes and the steering wheel doesnt lock because immobilizer Is a problem and other Kia's have been recalled but not mine, instead they sent me a wheel car lock. I see online so many people complaining about the push button car not starting like mine which may be due to the immobilizer issue and theft. It is annoying to see other vehicle recalled but not mine.

The driver airbag light came on in June 2021 - I called Kia dealership and they said there was no recall. Last month the passenger airbag light came on. Both appear to not be working. I do not have extended warranty and my car is past warranty. I am wondering if any other Kia owners have a similar problem. I have never been in any major accidents and am an excellent driver. I am hoping there is a recall issued in the near future.

In April 2016 my wife was involved in an accident which totaled our Kia Forte 2011. The air bags failed to deploy following the accident I spent endless weeks with various representatives from Kia expressing my concern. I see the recall has taken place but almost 2 years later and after people have died. I am appalled, I was told that my vehicle did as it was supposed to and that air bags dont always deploy. Kia corporate was aware there was an issue. My wife did not die but obviously from the enclosed pictures there was damage done. My wife was hit from behind and then thrown into oncoming traffic at which time the drivers door flew open yet no air bag deployed to protect her. People need to be held accountable these deaths could have been averted.

In July of 2016, I was in rush hour traffic on the 495 beltway and had to slam on my brakes at one point from hitting the person in front of me. I was hit from behind at approximately 40mph and then pushed into the car in front of me. The airbags did not deploy. The car had a lot of damage and I had the car repaired. Prior to that accident, the airbag light had come on twice over the previous year and the dealership just reset it when I brought it in for an oil change. The light is on again and they want to charge me to run a diagnostic and have it fixed. I am in virginia and cannot have the car pass inspection with the light on. I'm furious at the dealership and Kia!

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. A few minutes later, the air bag deployed. As a result, the contact crashed into a fire hydrant. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to southwest Kia austin (13175 n us-183, austin, tx 78750, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to southwest Kia. The approximate failure mileage was 92,252.

I was hit head-on at 65mph and my airbags failed to deploy. It has caused me horrible injuries including a cervical neck fusion, bilateral sacroiliac joint fusions, necessity of a total hysterectomy due to my uterus & felopian tubes perforating, gastric adhesions and a total knee replacement. I hold Kia responsible. I had confidence that I would be safe in my 2011 Kia Forte. I lost my very essence of being a woman because my airbags failed after being clobbered head-on by a full-size pick-up truck. Most frustrating is the constant pain and suffering, added to my already a 100% disabled navy veteran.

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver's frontal air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered a cut to the head, and injuries to the legs and hip. Medical attention was required. Police report number: 1820224 was filed. The manufacturer was contacted, but the dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The cause of the air bag failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 32,000.

I had a false sense of security& safety behind the wheel of my 2011 Kia Forte when I was suddenly facing a habitual drunk driver, creaming us head-on and my airbags fato deploy. I have undergone 8 surgeries to try to repair my broken body. I lost my female reproductive organs because my airbags failed me. Is there a monetary value to Kia's responsibility?

I was in a head on collision where the airbags did not deploy. My vehicle was in motion and hit another vehicle that then landed on my front windshield and top of my car causing it to be totaled. At impact and despite wearing a seatbelt my chest hit the steering wheel and caused extreme bruising and pain. The road was slick with rain.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Forte years