RoadVitals

2017 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.
18
Latest May 24, 2026
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.
6%
of 300 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.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
16

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 2017 Kia Forte submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed May 24, 2026

Kia has common problems on the airbags even tho my air bags is good but I want to still check it

NHTSA ID
11739768
Incident
Aug 24, 2022
AirbagsEngine
Filed Nov 22, 2025

There are 3 recalls on my engine type but kia dealership says no recalls,#21V6220000,#22V031000,#21V260000. ENGINE TYOE 2.0L NU MPI ENGINE(SC210),MY ph#XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11700945
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Feb 8, 2025
Crash reported

-Airbags did not deploy. -The car is available for inspection. -The driver was put at significant risk after the vehicle accidentally slid on ice while navigating a sharp curve, causing it to veer off the road and crash into trees. The impact resulted in the car being totaled from the front bumper to the back. Despite the severity of the crash, the airbags failed to deploy, making the driver's seatbelt the only factor that ultimately saved his life. -Insurance agent still needs to look at the car. Police office was present, along with tow driver. -No warnings

NHTSA ID
11641495
Incident
Jan 10, 2025
Airbags
Filed Sep 20, 2024

Once coming home, my airbag from steering wheel deployed. I did not get into an accident, just as i closed my door it went off. I worried about my safety especially because i have a baby. Any airbag could’ve gone off for no reason. I don’t feel safe in my car. After taking it to Viva Kia here in El Paso, they did not offer any inspections just a number to call. I was scared when they sent me off in a car like that with no diagnostics done. No lights were on prior to this incident so I definitely was not warned about it.

NHTSA ID
11615700
Incident
Sep 19, 2024
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2024

Error code B1620 is registering on my 2017 KIA Forte. The current recall for this issue only covers some 2017 KIA Forte vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11608214
Incident
May 13, 2024
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

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)

NHTSA ID
11574910
Incident
Feb 20, 2024
Airbags
Filed Dec 9, 2023
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
11559293
Incident
Dec 9, 2023
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11511511
Incident
Mar 8, 2023
Airbags
Filed Apr 16, 2021
Crash reported3 injuries reported

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN VEHICLE CRASH AT ABOVE 30 MPH

NHTSA ID
11408393
Incident
Apr 13, 2021
Mileage
36,650 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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.*DT*DT*JB*JB

NHTSA ID
11402586
Incident
Mar 9, 2021
Mileage
79,900 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Jun 8, 2020
Crash reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327763
Incident
Jun 7, 2020
Mileage
35,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 30, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11282974
Incident
Nov 3, 2019
Mileage
43,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

HAD FRONT END COLLISON NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT,CAR WAS TOTALED

NHTSA ID
11222305
Incident
Jan 4, 2019
Mileage
23,000 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsSteering
Filed Jan 25, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11172094
Incident
Nov 13, 2018
Mileage
46,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Aug 19, 2018
Crash reported2 deaths reported

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.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11120867
Incident
Jul 9, 2017
Mileage
3,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 10, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
11084311
Incident
Apr 7, 2018
Mileage
10,669 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 19, 2018
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
11080209
Incident
Mar 11, 2018
Mileage
3,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Dec 28, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11057064
Incident
Dec 27, 2017
Mileage
6,150 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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Data sources

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