Involved in wreck air bags did not deploy.

- Martin, TN, USA

November 26, 2024 Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my 2015 Kia Soul. On [XXX], I was involved in a severe car accident. Despite the significant impact, the airbag system failed to deploy. I have attached photos of the vehicle damage for your reference. This incident is particularly alarming as the vehicle had recently been serviced for recalls at Phil Smith Kia (4250 N Federal Hwy, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064). The failure of the airbag system to deploy raises serious concerns about the safety and quality control of Kia vehicles. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this incident thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all Kia vehicle owners. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

I am experiencing multiple safety and performance issues with my 2015 Kia Soul: 1.Vibration at Idle: Significant vibration when the vehicle is idling at a red light. Possible causes include worn engine mounts, faulty spark plugs or ignition coils, issues with the idle control valve or throttle body, or vacuum leaks. 2.Electrical Issues: -?? Codes: B111216 (Ignition Voltage Low), B17672F (OCS Algorithm Cut Off), B251100 (Head Lamp High LH SCG), B251300 (Head Lamp Low LH SCG) -?? Symptoms include low battery voltage warnings and short circuits in the headlamp circuits. Possible causes might be a failing battery or alternator, or damaged electrical wiring. 3. Emission System Problems: -?? Codes: P0455 (Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected), P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) -?? Symptoms: Check engine light related to emission control systems. Potential causes include a loose or damaged gas cap, cracked EVAP hoses, faulty purge or vent valves, and failing catalytic converter or oxygen sensors. 4. Airbag System Issues: -?? Codes: B151100 (Buckle Switch Driver Open or Short to Battery), B110200 (Battery Voltage Low), B149000 (OCS Defect) -?? Symptoms: Warning lights related to the airbag system. Possible causes include faulty seat belt buckle switches, low battery voltage, or issues within the Occupant Classification System. 5. TPMS Issues: -?? Codes: C1314 (Sensor 3 Radio Frequency Channel Failure), C1662 (Auto Learning Failure) -?? Symptoms: TPMS warnings and inability to correctly monitor tire pressure. Possible causes are sensor failures or calibration issues. Despite regular maintenance, these issues persist and affect the safety and drivability of my vehicle. I request an investigation into these problems to determine if they are common in this model and if there are any recalls or service bulletins that address them. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

- Orlando, FL, USA

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. At 4-way intersection w/ traffic light other driver going northbound blew through their red light (maybe on phone or other distraction) at what seemed like a high speed. I was driving westbound at about 30/35mph with a clear green light. Was able to avoid getting t-boned in my door, but couldn't avoid t-boning other car's passenger door (older 2 door F150). My insurance company going to total my car (see pics). My airbags didn't deploy. Friends/relatives have told me their air bags went off in crashes at lower speeds. I hit my head on the left side frame and my head is still sore. The seat belt pretensioner system did work as designed as passenger in my car and I are both sore w / bruises on collar bone, chest, and hip where seat belt clips in so we know it worked. But lots of other bruises/soreness. Air Bags seem defective.

- St Pete Beach, FL, USA

My vehicle was stolen and crashed but the air bags did not deploy.

- Dublin , OH, USA

I was involved in a head on collision with a F250 truck and the airbags did not deploy. I did hit my head on the steering wheel and have a bruise above my eye and some scratches on my knee. I had pain in my shoulder from seat belt. I took off from work on 2/2 to take care of car getting towed and I went to care now to be checked out and they sent me to the ER for a possible scan, but once doctor checked me out they decided there was no need for a scan. I do not have any more information from my insurance company other than the body shop were car was towed to said it was a total loss and there is no reason they could find that the air bag did not deploy. I have owned the car since may of last year and have been to sent 2 safety recall 1 for the catalytic converter and 1 for try to stop kia soul from being stolen. these are the only one I have received

- Irving, TX, USA

Abs and airbags not working!

- Seminole , FL, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a rattling noise heard in the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that after the vehicle was returned, the steering, air bags, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became hot to the touch without the heated steering wheel function being activated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an oil change was needed, and the heated steering wheel fuse was removed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,796.

- Park Forest, IL, USA

I was involved in an accident where my 2015 Kia Soul was struck from the rear end at a high rate of speed, left the roadway, hit a concrete culver, became airborne, jumped/rolled across a driveway and went through two crosstie corner posts with no airbag deployment. My seat broke 3/4 of the way up due to impact. Unknown as to reason why airbags failed to deploy with frontal impacts and unknown as to component inspection as insurance took car away to auction. I feel that the failure of these items to deploy intensified the injuries I received in the wreck.

- Weatherford, TX, USA

I-??ve had my check engine light come on ever since I bought the vehicle and the code is for catalytic converter, my car overheats and does not properly shift right engine is very shaky and unstable while driving on the road. I don-??t know why my Kia doesn-??t qualify for the recall when it-??s having the exact issues that the recalls state

- Navarre, FL, USA

I was going 65 mph, with my cruise control on, while it was raining. I hit some standing water, which caused me to hydroplane. I could not gain control of my vehicle, so I ended up spinning and hitting a concrete barrier. None of my airbags deployed. Thankfully I wasn't seriously injured, but the airbags should have deployed either way.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at about 65 mph, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger's bumper of the vehicle in front which stopped abruptly. None of the air bags deployed. There was no warning. The contact sustained injury from the seat belt strap on the left shoulder. The contact went to an urgent care the next day. There was no police report. The contact stated that one passenger in the other vehicle suffered a whiplash. There was no further detail on the individual. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a body shop. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was called but the contact was not called back. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Topeka, KS, USA

I recibe recall for airbags, stering pinion. The fuel sending level unit is damage and the gauge fuel level is down. But that reason the system turn on the check engine light.

- Ciales, PR, USA

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving 50 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained three broken ribs, a punctured lung, face injuries, and a concussion that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an insurance lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,709. Updated 07/13/16

- Centereach, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While the vehicle was stationary in the reverse gear, the contact attempted to reverse but the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a tree. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not respond. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V736000 (steering). The vehicle was previously repaired for this recall prior to the crash. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving at an undetermined speed, the driver lost control of the vehicle, veered left, and crashed into an oncoming vehicle. The driver sustained fatal injuries, which included a severed aorta and fractured cervical spine. The coroner indicated that the fatal injuries may have been caused by the air bag. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The cause of the crash was under investigation. The failure mileage was not available....updated 02/02/16 updated 02/05/16 the consumer stated there was a recall on the steering system which may have cause the accident. Updated 02/10/16...updated 03/16/16

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the contact crashed into an eighteen wheeler and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustain back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot where the body of the vehicle was repaired. In addition the contact stated that the seat belt failed to disengage. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximated failure mileage was 10,500. Updated 06/29/16

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

My son was in a rear-end collison in his 2015 Kia Soul, that also pushed him into the person in front of him. My son was at a stop as well as the vehicle in front of him, when a mid sized SUV doing approximately 30-40mph slammed on her brakes and rear ended my son. The Soul's bumper went underneath the Chevy Tahoe in front of him. The airbags did not deploy. When police and ems showed up and asked him if he could drive it off the road, the vehicle started, but accelerator would not work. They pushed it off the road. After towing to the body shop, the owner said he didn't know why the airbags hadn't deployed because the electrical wiring harness had been severed in the crash. The towing company was hesitant to tow because he was afraid it may go off. The Soul had an estimate of $15,753.75 in damage and therefore totaled...but his airbags never went off.

- Dinuba, CA, USA

Car would not brake as it pulled into a parking spot. Ended up stopping in a storefront. No significant visible damage. No airbags deployed. All three passengers (incl one 3 yr old) were completely unscathed.

- San Jose, CA, USA

While driving down fairmount blvd. I hit a pot hole, causing my tire to go flat and the air bags came out.

- East Cleveland, OH, USA