2017 Kia Sorento Airbags Problems

My airbag light is on after picking it up from a KIA dealership service and they are refusing to correct the issue that was caused by the dealership. I escalated the issue to KIA America and filled a formal case#25916418 on 2/26/2026. On 3/4/206 Tori at Kia Customer service informed me that it will not be covered because the dealership claims its a pre-existing issue. The dealership has failed to provide proof that that is true. Attached are: -The dealership’s diagnostic report -All text communications with the service advisor -Also have Video documentation of misaligned steering wheel I was unable to attach. Prior to dealership service, my vehicle was evaluated for approximately one week at a reputable independent repair facility for a cracked head gasket. At no time were there airbag warnings, steering issues, or safety system concerns. The vehicle was driven directly from the independent shop to the dealership where they preformed a warranty service. Upon pickup, I immediately observed: - Misaligned steering wheel - Illuminated airbag warning light - Coolant system air bubble (later corrected per dealership) The steering misalignment indicates the steering system was disturbed during repair. The airbag warning light appeared immediately afterward. The dealership’s report references “history” fault codes, but provides no proof the warning light was active prior to service. History codes can result from battery disconnection or electrical interruption during major repairs and do not establish a pre-existing defect. Given that: - The airbag system functioned properly before service - The steering wheel was returned misaligned - The airbag light appeared immediately after repair - There is no documentation proving a prior active fault I am concerned a critical safety system has been compromised. An active airbag warning indicates the system may not function in a collision. I am requesting that KIA fix this at no charge to me due to the reasons listed above.

NHTSA ID

11722010

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

My airbag sensor light is on; Kia dealer says it is an OCS sensor has an internal fault for the passenger side, but the sensor comes on when only the driver seat is occupied. I am told NOT to drive the car until it is fixed because the airbag will not deploy. Dealer has confirmed the issue and is quoting $1100 to fix if there is no recall posted on the vehicle. The system first appeared about 3 days prior to taking it into the dealer for inspection. Car is still at the dealer while review of recalls are undeway. We've found recalls for Kias for 2018 but not 2017

NHTSA ID

11693185

Incident

Oct 11, 2025

I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the instrument panel of the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento. My car - 2017 Kia Sorento. In approx. 2021, I noticed a small 2 cm crack resembling a razor blade cut on my instrument panel (Part Number: 84710-C5000WK, also 84710-C6000WK and 84710-C6001WK). At the time, I did not find this defect alarming as it was minor and located far from the airbag area. However, over time, the situation has deteriorated significantly. The small crack has now developed into three substantial cracks measuring between 6 to 8 inches, with some of them encroaching upon the airbag area. I am increasingly concerned that these cracks may impact the airbag deployment mechanism and potentially result in fragments from the panel flying out during a collision, an issue that has been documented in other vehicle brands in the past. After conducting some research, I found that this problem appears to be common among the Kia Sorento models manufactured between 2016 and 2020. Numerous sources online indicate that these dashboard cracks pose a safety hazard. I have made attempts to address this issue directly with Kia. However, I was informed that the initial inspection fee is $150, and the estimated cost for part replacement and installation is approximately $3,959. This amount is quite significant. I urge your organization to investigate this matter further and consider providing a remedy for affected customers. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

NHTSA ID

11653730

Incident

Apr 9, 2025

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle t-boned into the driver’s side between the front and rear drivers' side doors. The contact mentioned that the other driver failed to stop at the red light which caused the collision. The air bags in the vehicle failed to deploy correctly. The contact sustained knee, back, and shoulder injuries. The contact's wife sustained a concussion and the daughter sustained bruises on the shoulders caused by the seat belt. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11591073

Incident

May 18, 2024

Mileage

94,000 mi

The airbag light stays on and the Tunersville NJ dealership charged me $169 for a diagnostic of the problem. The error code was a B1448 OC sensor MAT defect and they need to replace the cushion because the Occupant Detection System (ODS) Sensor Pad is located inside the seat and quoted me around $2000 to replace it. I was told by the dealership that if the passenger mat detection is not working then the airbag will not work if an accident happens. I found that Kia Sorento from 2011- 2015 has the same issue and the company replaced it without a charge and extended the warranty for this airbag sensor to 15 yr with unlimited miles. This is a known defect for Kia corporation and they don't address this issue until somebody gets hurt in an accident and the airbag malfunctions.

NHTSA ID

11575962

Incident

Feb 19, 2024

Mileage

162,577 mi

I was t boned while driving aprox 25 30 non of my air bags deployed and to bolts holding the door had the head shear off while bolts were still stuck in door frame

NHTSA ID

11568787

Incident

Jan 20, 2024

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving into an intersection at a speed of approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the front end of the vehicle. During the crash, the front was severely damaged and the vehicle was destroyed but no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained a head injury and was examined at the local hospital. The driver of the second vehicle also sustained an undisclosed injury. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. the local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

NHTSA ID

11534087

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

Mileage

165,000 mi

4/18/22 While making a right turn in a residential neighborhood, the car abruptly stopped and engine shut down. The stop was so abrupt that it threw my body forward and now have shoulder and neck pains. No warning lights were illuminated prior to this incident, however, after the engine shut down, the airbag light was lit. I drove it home slowly, called the Kia dealership in Manteca, CA. Making arrangements to have the vehicle towed and have it examined. Two days prior, the ! light came on. I noticed that the passenger side headlight was out. That same evening when I started the vehicle up, the ! light was gone and the headlight worked. I addition, when having the light control kept on Auto, the headlights remain on all the time. If this had happened in traffic or on the freeway, it may have had a different outcome.

NHTSA ID

11461211

Incident

Apr 18, 2022

I was in a wreck in a 2017 Kia Sorento lx on sept 27,2021. Somehow ended on opposite side of road hit a culvert was thrown in air and bounced rolled tumbled all directions all air bags deployed but the steering wheel and dash. I ended up with my L1 lumbar burst and shattered. The state trooper that was there even noticed the nondeployed airbags. The owners manual and Internet says if steering wheel airbag doesn’t deploy can result in severe spinal injury. The car is totaled but I’m sure someone could still check it out. I am in a backbrace unable to lift up to a gallon of milk or able to stand or walk very long. And can’t bewithout brace on.

NHTSA ID

11437409

Incident

Sep 27, 2021

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS STAYING ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. THE DIAGNOSED IT AS THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WILL COST ME ALMOST $800 TO REPAIR. SHOULD THIS BE A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND BE REPLACED AT NO COST? IF I DON'T REPAIR IT, IT COULD BE DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11322257

Incident

Apr 24, 2020

Mileage

114,320 mi

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AND STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE IS SHOWN BELOW IN THE UPLOADED IMAGE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11243358

Incident

Aug 11, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT BECOME ACTIVE IF I USE MY AIR CUSHION.I NEED TO BE ABLE TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG.KIA TELLS ME TO BAD .I NEED TO USE A CUSHION FOR MEDICAL REASONS.I WANT THE AIR BAG TO BE ACTIVE .I PAID FOR THIS FEATURE.KIA SAID I CAN'T USE A CUSHION. I FEEL THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE ACTIVE ALL OF THE TIME REGARDLESS PLEASE REQUIRE THEM TO PUT SWITCH ON THIS FEATURE TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG?

NHTSA ID

10955039

Incident

Feb 15, 2017