Seat Belt complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at 20 MPH and attempting to complete a left turn. another driver failed to stop at a red light, as a result, the contact's mother was struck by the other vehicle on the passenger's side; however, the air bags did not deploy. In addition, the seat belt failed to retract. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop for body repair but was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to determine why the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The contact's mother did not initially seek medical treatment but was later treated by a chiropractor for back pain resulting from non-descript injuries sustained during the accident. …
So i took my car to sands kia in surprise az about my seat belts. Both the front driver and passenger belts come unlatched while driving. They said out of warranty so i would have to pay or they will do nothing. This should be a Kia issue. Obviously a defect in the seat belts. I can be driving on freeway and multiple times they will come unlatched while driving. So instead of having both hands on the steering will. I have to fiddle around to get it to latch again. It is a legal requirement to have working seat belts and u feel kia should fix this issue. I told them this and that i didn't feel this was something i should have to pay for and the service writer just asked me if i was leaving then. Hope there is no accident because seat belts won't work and there will be a lawsuit.
Involved in an accident where another driver failed to yield and caused the impact on 3 lane road going at about 40mph. At the point of impact, I was thrown into the steering column. The air bag did not deploy nor did the seatbelt lock to keep me from hitting the steering wheel. Minor injuries sustained because of lack of protection. The police officer on scene noted that neither safety device worked in my vehicle. The officer examined the belt. Based on the fact my chest was hit by the steering wheel the officer immediately assumed I was not wearing a belt and asked about it, but I had to correct the officer's assumption, indicating that I was wearing my belt and reported to the officer that the belt did not lock. The officer asked about my speed and I reported that my speed was between 35 and 40 miles per hour. The officer observed the airbag did not deploy and noted this as well. …
Vehicle was in a major crash on illinois route 15 in belleville il. Vehicle was struck in the front driver side off center by a wrong way driver. Passenger in the Kia was trapped under the dash. Passenger was wearing seat belt and it appears the seat belt failed to lock. Passenger airbags did not deploy. Passager was pronounced dead at the scene. Driver was wearing seat belt. Driver suffered severe injuries to his head from impacting the steering wheel and was ejected out of the driver side window. Subjects seat belt broke and ripped. Air bags did not deploy as well. Subject was pronounced dead at the scene. Images available upon request from law enforcement belleville police department.
I purchased this used vehicle two weeks ago. I noticed the rear center seat belt has about a 1-inch fray on it. I asked my salesperson to check if it was covered under Kia's "bumper to bumper" warranty. He checked with his mishawaka indiana Kia dealership's service department and was told it was. I took the vehicle to the dealership. The service manager took a picture and told me he would submit it to his boss. Two days later, he left me a message saying his boss was "declining" to replace the belt because it was frayed. That is exactly why I was asking it be fixed. I've owned hondas for 25+ years and never had a seatbelt fray. Plus, it disturbs me that Kia is immediately declining to honor their "bumper to bumper" warranty, especially on what should be a relatively cheap fix. Shouldn't this be a safety issue that should be fixed under warranty on such a new vehicle?
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. While operating the vehicle, the front driver's side seat belt locking mechanism malfunctioned and the lock could not be immediately unlocked when pressing the button. The vehicle was taken to rio Kia (925 bartow rd, lakeland, fl), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.
In May 2021 my daughter was in a bad car accident while driving my 2014 Kia Forte. The airbags did not go off and the seatbelts never tightened. Fortunately her and her passenger were not seriously injured and only received bruises on their knees and sore necks. There was so much damage to the front end of the car it was totaled by our insurance company. No warning lights were seen that day or even prior to the accident showing that the airbags weren't working properly. My car was not part of 6/18/18 Kia Forte recall#SC165 for airbags and seatbelts. The recall was for Kia Forte 2010-2013. While my Kia was a 2014, I did take possess of it in 2013. Starting in January 2014 I brought the car back to the dealership many times because of all the electric issues I was having with it. …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while buckling the driver's side front seat belt buckle, the front driver's seat belt buckle failed to lock securely as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with front driver's side seat belt buckle failure. The contact was informed that the front driver's side seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
Related recalls (1)
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012. The screws that hold the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates may not have been properly tightened, and as a result, the seatbelt retractor retaining plates may break in a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The recall began July 1, 2016.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Forte years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (14), 2010 (9), 2013 (8) and 2011 (6) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Kia Forte seat belt problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-312 (retractor, May 17, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Forte seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › buckle assembly (1 mentions).
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.