What 289 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Forte

There is a class action lawsuit concerning the airbag control unit not functioning properly leading to safety issues during a crash. The case is called ZF-TRW Airbag Control Unit Product Liabilty Litigation. Case number XXX My Kia Forte was on the list of recalled vehicles. I have been having electrical problems with my car and this may be the answer I have been looking for !! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11742145

The contact's cousin owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked unattended by the privacy fence. The contact was alerted by her nephew and observed that the vehicle was on fire. The front windshield had shattered, and smoke was visible inside the cabin. The fire appeared to originate from the dashboard area. The contact used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames with the assistance of her brother. The local fire department arrived on the scene and completed extinguishing the fire. The airbags deployed during the incident, and the fire department declared the vehicle a total loss. Upon investigation, the contact was able to link the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11692569

My wife got an accident in June 2022 but air bag did not work so I contacted Kia 6/22/2022 sent proof photo but just no good excuse why air bag did not work. It should be recalled for this matter. Defective airbag or sender.

NHTSA ODI 11676604

Air bag light is on and dealership can't find cause. There is obvious reason for this and the kia dealership is at a loss. They've Replace coil/spring and acm it didn't fix it. Now they think it's a possible wire issue. Im the original owner and My car is a 2012 with about 75000 miles on it. I understand that older cars have issues but I still don't feel like there's enough "wear" for all this "tear"

NHTSA ODI 11547867

The air bag light came on. I brought it to the dealer and was told it was the clock spring. I was charged over $700.00 for this repair. It appears that other years of the same make and model had problems with the clock spring as well and received an extended warranty. I want to know since my car had the same issue why my car 's clock spring is not covered in this class action suit for the extended warranty.. Thank you for any assistance . I contacted Kia USA and they would not refund the cost.

NHTSA ODI 11547250

Recall #SC165,for the airbag frontal deploy module failure was fixed but now the same problem along with the airbag malfunction indicator light is illuminating on my dash. Kia won't call me back or email me back when I asked them if this is something they will fix again since the first fix failed for this same issue? And randomly while driving I smell a electrical burn smell but no smoke? When I was leaving for work that morning and I stared my car the indicator light came on and never has gone off since that day?

NHTSA ODI 11534580

My airbag light is on took it to dealership when the airbag recall came out to have it check and got it back with airbag light on. And when it rains water gets in the trunk and also my passenger and driver side floor board gets soaked it has begun to show signs of mold this really concerns me due to the fact i have health issues and having to drive a car with mold growing in it is a huge issue

NHTSA ODI 11429674

I was injured in a crash that happened Saturday at 232pm . My airbags did not deploy at 45 mph. Old women did a u turn into me. I was in left lane . I crash driver side front into her passenger doors. My steering is damaged and my side fender was hooked inward along with my side mirror being hit i thought my airbags recall issue was solved. Im in back and neck pain i went to hospital after and had xrays were the doctors where astonished by my non deployment when i told them the speed and showed photos

NHTSA ODI 11424308

THE ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON AND ENGINE WAS TAPPING STALLING AND I SMELLED BURNT MELTED PLASTIC SMELL. THE OIL LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON AND OFF. THE FUEL WAS CONSUMED QUICKLY THAN NORMAL. I HAD BRAKES REMAING ENGAGED WHEN FOOT NOT PRESSING PEDAL AND COULD FEEL CONTACT TO ROAD. ENGINE HAS FAILED CAR WAS MOVING.

NHTSA ODI 11406487

I PURCHASED THE KIA FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP WITH FAKE CARFAX. I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WORKING VEHICLE NO PROBLEMS OR RECALLS. I GOT A CAR LOAN ON IT AND A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND. KIA NEVER REPAIRED IT I TOLD THE BANK AND CAR LOT AND THEY DEMAND MORE MONEY FROM AND I SHOULD THEM THAT THEY WERE INFORMED ABOUT THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY REPO MY CAR AND STILL LEFT ME ON THE DMV RECORDS STATING I HAVE THE CAR AND FORCING ME TO PAY THE LOAN AND IS TRIPLE MY PAYMENTS

NHTSA ODI 11390612

MARCH OF 2020 WE BAGAN NOTICING A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR UPON COLD STARTS WHICH INCREASES AS THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES. ALSO MAKES THE SAME KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ENGINE IS AT RUNNING TEMPERATURE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE A CONNECTOR ROD OR CONNECTOR ROD BEARING ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THE THETA II MOTOR. ALSO AROUND THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL SC158 BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER PAD. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF PARK WITH ENGINE OFF AND KEYS NOT IN IGNITION, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION WHEN CAR ROLLED INTO STREET. AGAIN, KIA STATED THAT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI 11349101

IT SAYS ON HERE THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR TODAY

NHTSA ODI 11342636

WHEN HAD MY ACCIDENT IN ON GOING TRAFFIC MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,MY BRAKES SYSTEM WENT OUT, ALSO MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND MY CV AXLE MESSES UP AND CAN'T FIND ANOTHER CV AXLE.

NHTSA ODI 11307568

WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR AT A SPEED THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY BUT NONE DID. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 12/26/19. I WAS HEADED SOUTHBOUND ON MINNESOTA AVE IN SIOUX FALLS, SD. I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN EAST WHEN A CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN 270*. SHATTERED THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW. BENT FRAME. BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED

NHTSA ODI 11291822

THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS REALLY BAD. MY STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON WITH THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11287218

I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY KIA OF THE RECALL. I WASN'T AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL I RESEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER FOR INFORMATION FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT MAY 11TH 2019 WITH A FRONT SIDE IMPACT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED. I SUFFERED MILD WHIPLASH AND CONCUSION. I WAS TURNING LEFT TO GO DOWN AN ISLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS STRUCK BY A CHEVROLET SILVERADO. I WENT TO HOSPITAL MAY 13TH WHEN CONDITION DIDN'T IMPROVE * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11220465

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR ON JANUARY 10 2019 FOR A RECALL 18V363 WHICH THEY COMPLETED. ON SATURDAY FEB 2, I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS. WHEN I LEFT ONE OF THE STORES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND STAY ILLUMINATED. IT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF (MOSTLY ON) INTERMITTEDLY SINCE THEN. THE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11176251

I HAVE CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 3 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS AT A SERVICE REQUEST FOR A RECALL. TWICE WAS BY PHONE WHERE I TALKED TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE ABOUT SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL ON MY CAR. BOTH TIMES I LEFT MY NAME, NUMBER, AND MY VIN. THE PHONE CALLS WERE 3 DAYS APART. I THEN CONTACTED THEM A THIRD TIME USING THEIR ONLINE SERVICE REQUEST. IT STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 48 HOURS BUT IT HAS BEEN AT LEAST 5 DAYS.

NHTSA ODI 11153648

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS) BY VALUE KIA (6915 ESSINGTON AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153, 215-937-1000). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS INADEQUATE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,480.

NHTSA ODI 11151577

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS REAR ENDED AND THEN SMASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THE KIA AND IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11150286

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ORLANDO KIA NORTH AT (888) 696-5097 (LOCATED AT 625 N US HWY 17 92, LONGWOOD, FL 32750) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11150321

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS), WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11133136

2012 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11130153

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11123275

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A CORNER STORE PARKING LOT. AS I WAS TURNING THE ACCELERATER DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. I PUSHED THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY AND IT STILL PULLED FORWARD. I IMPACTED THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE STORE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WALL OF THE STORE. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR HEADLIGHTS, FENDER, TIRE WELL LINING AND MORE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY IN THE MAIL ABOUT RECALL ISSUES. KIA HAS NOT WARNED ME OF ANYTHING AND I TAKE MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED I'M TRYING GET HELP WITH THIS. I'M LOOKING FOR LAWYER NOW BECAUSE I JUST GOT THIS INFORMATION. AFTER OWNING THIS CAR SINCE 2012. I'M WORKING ON THE CLAIM NOW SO THE FULL REPORT IS NOT DONE.

NHTSA ODI 11119248