What 437 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte

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 ODI 11707081

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 ODI 11706205

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

NHTSA ODI 11680914

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 ODI 11641554

Airbags failed to deploy after rear end collision.

NHTSA ODI 11542393

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 ODI 11531321

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 ODI 11496756

It is just airbag sign

NHTSA ODI 11482950

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 ODI 11481918

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 ODI 11475525

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 ODI 11449400

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

NHTSA ODI 11442386

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 ODI 11440761

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 ODI 11436791

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 ODI 11434262

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 ODI 11423546

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 ODI 11423216

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 ODI 11421250

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 ODI 11417396

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 ODI 11403533

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 ODI 11397828

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

NHTSA ODI 11376122

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 ODI 11375324

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 ODI 11365195

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 ODI 11362334