10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 2
Average Mileage:
22,067 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #13

Feb 202024

Forte

  • miles
Hello, my name is [XXX], i just had a 2017 kia forte car accident on [XXX]. I was hit by the driver's side in my door and in the door behind me. the airbag are supposed to be released upon impact. The would have to open because i was going over 25 miles per hour the airbags supposedly release when you go over 25 miles this caused me to break my wrist of my left hand I hit my knees and hurt my face this caused my injuries the malfunction of the airbags conclusion that the car was a total loss i need you to answer for my damages to me because as a consumer i have the right to complain I am waiting for a formal response thank you very much INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Big Pine Key, FL, USA

problem #12

Dec 092023

Forte

  • miles
The airbags did not deploy when a large jeep turned into the driver side door.

- Leslie, MI, USA

problem #11

Mar 082023

Forte

  • miles
I have a 2017 kia forte that I believe was made in Mexico (12/16) in December of 2016. I have an airbag fault illuminated. I used a scan tool to read the fault. Its 10 faults including DTC B1620, the airbag SRSCM is not communicating. I made an appointment at local KIA dealer for recall. I downloaded the SC226 RECALL. The recall affects a production range for 2017-2018 MY Forte from March 2, 2017 to July 27, 2018. My kia was manufactured 3 months before and has the same defect. I used the NHTSA website to search the VIN and returned the same results. I want to register a complaint that there are more affected vehicles than covered by this recall. I am sure that if the NHTSA were to collect data on vehicles being repaired for this identical defect would find that a greater number of vehicles were affected and many may be operating unsafely without repair.

- Westborough, MA, USA

problem #10

Apr 132021

Forte

  • 36,650 miles
Air bags did not deploy in vehicle crash at above 30 mph

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #9

Mar 092021

Forte 4-cyl

  • 79,900 miles
On 3/9/2021 I was involved in a hit and run accident and my Kia was hit on the passenger side. It was hit so hard that the it left a hole in the door and my toddler was sitting in his car seat. When the fore dept arrived they noticed that the airbags did not deploy and disconnected the battery. I was advised that my air bags should've deployed. I was traveling North on a city street at about 35 miles and hour when I was hit.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #8

Jun 072020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
The 2017 Kia Forte my client was driving was involved in an accident which resulted in moderate to heavy front end damage, approximate speed of impact was 20-25mph, the airbags did not deploy.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #7

Nov 032019

Forte

  • 43,000 miles
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. The right side of the vehicle was damaged. The car was inspected at time of repair but no indication of a faulty airbag or seatbelt other than noting product liability and to contact manufacturer.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 042019

Forte

  • 23,000 miles
Had front end collison no air bag deployment, car was totaled

- Ft Myers, FL, USA

problem #5

Nov 132018

Forte

  • 46,000 miles
Accelerating between 35mph and 45mph, steering wheel locked causing loss of control of vehicle. Driver let off gas and attempted brakes which did not engage. Vehicle struck guardrail on front passenger side. Vehicle then did a 180, driver side door then collided with the guardrail. Driver seatbelt did not lock, no airbags deployed. Driver sustained minor injuries including whiplash and head injury. Vehicle was traveling down a 2 lane city road. Vehicle had 46,000 miles and was just serviced by Kia dealer.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jul 092017

Forte

  • 3,500 miles
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.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #3

Apr 072018

Forte

  • 10,669 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. While driving 45 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained bruises and soreness to the body, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic's tow yard. The insurance adjuster had not inspected the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 10,669. The VIN was not available.

- Indeoendence, MO, USA

problem #2

Mar 112018

Forte

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 20 mph, the contact's vehicle was involved in a front end collision. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to a collision shop. It was not yet determined if the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The passenger and driver suffered minor pain and bruising, which did not require medical attention. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #1

Dec 272017

Forte

  • 6,150 miles
I was parking my car yesterday at 7/11 and the car accelerated on it's own and crashed into a cement pillar. The airbag did not deploy. I have seen a blog where dozens of Forte owners complained about the same issue, sometimes more than once. I was injured and the car needs $9000 in repairs, also I am sure my insurance will increase.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA