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Air bagsPart report

2011 Kia Forte Air bags Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
23%of 154 total for the year
Median mileage
63,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Kia Forte, 23% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I had a false sense of security& safety behind the wheel of my 2011 Kia Forte when I was suddenly facing a habitual drunk driver, creaming us head-on and my airbags fato deploy. I have undergone 8 surgeries to try to repair my broken body. I lost my female reproductive organs because my airbags failed me. Is there a monetary value to Kia's responsibility?”

NHTSA complaint #11130355, filed 2018-09, 13,000 miles

“I was in a head on collision where the airbags did not deploy. My vehicle was in motion and hit another vehicle that then landed on my front windshield and top of my car causing it to be totaled. At impact and despite wearing a seatbelt my chest hit the steering wheel and caused extreme bruising and pain. The road was slick with rain.”

NHTSA complaint #11080284, filed 2018-03, 85,000 miles

“My airbags failed to deploy when a habitual drunk driver hit us head-on 7/11/2013. I had a false sense of security that my airbags would keep me safe. I have required 8 surgeries to mend my brokenness, including a complete hysterectomy, bilateral sacroiliac joint fusions and total knee replacement.”

NHTSA complaint #11121039, filed 2018-08, 12,000 miles

“Takata recall. We were taking off from a stop light when we were rear ended on 4/2/18. The driver was going anywhere between 50-70 MPH. My air bags never inflated causing alot of injuries. My driver head rest was ejected causing injury to my daughters face.”

NHTSA complaint #11101097, filed 2018-06, 115,000 miles

“Took vehicle to dealer to correct recall issue (18v363). Completed the work and said it was fixed. My airbag light remains on . Interim notice on recall mentioned if airbag warning light comes on and remains illuminated to take to dealer. I believe, because of this, that the two are related and the repair should lead to the airbag light going out. I was told it would be $200 to correct it with a new seatbelt buckle assembly. Is the airbag light remaining illuminated related to safety recall 18v363?”

NHTSA complaint #11190427, filed 2019-03, 129,720 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024727%
202358%
202227%
2021710%
202056%
201964%
20181612%
2017186%
20161310%
2015239%
20146314%
2013168%
20123713%
20113523%
20104119%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Forte

Engine
45 complaints
Brakes
29 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Electrical system
16 complaints
Other or unknown
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology