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2014 Kia Forte Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
62
Latest Dec 26, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 439 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
21
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
18

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Kia Forte submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 62 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 62, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Dec 26, 2025

Large Buck deer hit car with force, did not loose control, did not slam brakes attempted to pull to side of road. The hood flew up and had to use the emergency brake to come to full stop, put in park but the gas was full throttle. Neither airbag deployed and definitely should have.

NHTSA ID
11707081
Incident
Dec 2, 2025
Airbags
Filed Dec 19, 2025

The air bad light is on and horn dose not working currently there is a open recall on the clutch spring for the air bag but my vin say no repair

NHTSA ID
11706205
Incident
Dec 19, 2025
Airbags
Filed Aug 15, 2025

The air bag light comes on and off. Rubber Weather stripping leaking. Runs hot.

NHTSA ID
11680914
Incident
Jun 1, 2025
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 9, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

After T-boning a Toyota Prius, my air bag did not go off and my driver seat belt did not lock. As a result, I suffered a collapsed right lung, my left hand punched the windshield fracturing my wrist and had to have surgery from that. Also suffered my 7th right rib fractured. There was no warning lamps and no shop or dealer mentioned any of the malfunctions.

NHTSA ID
11641554
Incident
Jan 18, 2025
Airbags
Filed Sep 3, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

Airbags failed to deploy after rear end collision.

NHTSA ID
11542393
Incident
Oct 3, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jul 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,200.

NHTSA ID
11531321
Incident
Jun 30, 2023
Mileage
64,200 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Dec 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine was misfiring and there was dark smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The used car dealer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA ID
11496756
Incident
Nov 30, 2022
Mileage
137,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 5, 2022

It is just airbag sign

NHTSA ID
11482950
Incident
Aug 20, 2022
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 30, 2022

The Air Bag light stays on consistently, with the exception of flashing off for a brief moment periodically, only to return on immediately. Steering wheel mounted audio controls have mixed up controls, volume operating channel skip, while channel skip up, skips down, etc... I don't know that it is possible for the air bag to deploy unexpectedly, without impact, but the obvious concern is that it may not go off in the event of an impact, leading to excessive injuries. I had an independent service center advise me that the likely cause is a faulty Clock Spring, as this would cause issues with the steering wheel controls as well.

NHTSA ID
11481918
Incident
Aug 22, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 24, 2022

At approximately 60000 miles my airbag light came on. Then it would go off. Now it just stays on. I went to the dealership and they said I would have to pay for diagnostics and any repairs. I currently have around 64000 miles. I drive it very little. Bought it used in 2017 with 19000 miles. I see that other Kia’s have their airbag light go on as well and are being recalled but not my year. I have not been in any accidents with this vehicle as well. Just seems that this diagnostic should be done for free since it’s a safety concern.

NHTSA ID
11475525
Incident
May 11, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2022
Crash reported

My car was hit in an accident & my air bag light popped on but they didn’t deploy. The light is still on and that was over 2 months ago.

NHTSA ID
11449400
Incident
Oct 23, 2021
Airbags
Filed Dec 2, 2021

Unknown had the car only 2 years and the air bag light came on and they have never has been deployed

NHTSA ID
11442386
Incident
Nov 23, 2021
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 17, 2021
Crash reported

My Kia Forte when I put it in reverse it will jerk back then pause and hardly push itself backwards I have no control same as putting the car into Drive. I also consistently hear water in the bottom of my car swishing around.

NHTSA ID
11440761
Incident
Nov 8, 2021
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who reset the air bag warning light; however, the warning light immediately returned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ID
11436791
Incident
Oct 1, 2021
Mileage
106,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 24, 2021

Airbag light stays on all the time. Brake lights constantly burning out breaking system system will skidvover grates at bumps. Car will scrape over roads. All steering wheel functions not working

NHTSA ID
11434262
Incident
Sep 17, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jul 6, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that her vehicle hydroplaned while driving at 65 MPH, which caused her to lose control of vehicle. The contact hit the right guardrail three times on the passenger side of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy after multiple impacts. The contact nor her passenger needed medical assistance; however, they did both suffer minor scrapes and soreness. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard but was then towed to the contact's home where it remained in her possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ID
11423546
Incident
Jul 2, 2021
Mileage
119,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 2, 2021
Crash reported

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. Since the dealership could not replicate the codes while the car was there Kia refused to look into or fix the problems. Electrical issues included doors not unlocking, doors not being able to be opened from inside or outside, windows not opening, headlights coming on while the car was parked, emergency flashers turning on without pushing the button, while driving traction/anti-slide light came on without a reason.

NHTSA ID
11423216
Incident
May 13, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jun 17, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the air bags warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID
11421250
Incident
Jun 5, 2021
Mileage
125,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2021

I received a letter of a recall on the airbag. I contacted coughlin kia. They state there in no recall. The airbag light is on like the recall stated.

NHTSA ID
11417396
Incident
May 1, 2021
AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 17, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 40 MPH WITH THE SPEEDOMETER INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE SLOWLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RAY BRANDT KIA (1884 WESTBANK EXPY, HARVEY, LA 70058, (504) 356-7072) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11403533
Incident
Mar 17, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 25, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE KIA WAS MOVING INTO THE CITY INTERSECTION AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN A CHEVY BLAZER TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60+ MPH HIT THE KIA, WITHOUT BREAKING AND RIPPED THE WHOLE FRONT END OFF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTED IN INJURIES.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11397828
Incident
Feb 23, 2021
Mileage
98,900 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 24, 2020

SEAT AIR BAG DETECTION IS ON, WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON

NHTSA ID
11376122
Incident
Mar 20, 2020
Mileage
98,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 18, 2020

I MADE TWO APPOINTMENTS BACK TO BACK TO VAN NUYS KIA TO BE BRUSHED OFF THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME I GET THERE AND THEY SAY RECALL IS PENDING SO I NEED TO WAIT. MY TIME WAS WAISTED BOTH TIMES I DROVE MORE THAN HALF AN HOUR BACK AND FORTH

NHTSA ID
11375324
Incident
Nov 17, 2020
Airbags
Filed Oct 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD REMAINED ILLUMINATED FROM TWO PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS IN 2014 AND 2015 IN WHICH NEITHER AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY IN THE CRASHES. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER HOWEVER, THE REQUEST WAS REJECTED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
11365195
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
40,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 2, 2020

THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON EVEN IF NOBODY IS IN THE SEAT. IT WILL SHUT OFF RANDOMLY AND WILL COME BACK ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE LIGHT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH A BUCKLE ON.

NHTSA ID
11362334
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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