2016 Kia Forte Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 10%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Kia Forte, 10% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driver ran red light at high speed and t boned me at intersection of 83rd cottage grove (chicago). Accident ripped my entire front end off my car and spinner my an entire 360 degrees and not one of my airbags deployed. I also have 2 videos that can detail the rate of speed at impact from a neighboring establishment.”
NHTSA complaint #11173477, filed 2019-02, 55,000 miles“I was involved in a fairly serious front end collision and the airbags did not deploy. The impact was at the right front frame rail and corner. The impact was enough to push a full sized chevrolet pick up sideways approx. 6 feet. I was traveling at approx 35-40 MPH in a straight line when the truck pulled out straight across the road in front of me causing me to collide with it broadside at the trucks left front wheel area.”
NHTSA complaint #11046922, filed 2017-11, 60,000 miles“My daughter was involved in a front end collision, in which her air bags on her Forte did not deploy. The impact was so significant that the bumper was split and the right side under body (frame) that meets the headlight assembly was bent! Luckily, my daughter was not injured, as the impact was more on the right side. If she would've had a passenger to believe they would have sustained great injury. My daughter was traveling 45 MPH, when she came upon a 96 jeep grande cherokee without brake lights, stopped for a turning vehicle. She applied her brakes but was unable to stop in time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11093443, filed 2018-05, 50,000 miles“My daughter was in a collision. A car hit her Kia forte on passenger front side and the front drive side caved in which bent the frame. The air bag didn’t deploy. Her head hit the review mirror and it broke from the windshield. The insurance adjuster mentioned that he would have thought the air bag would have deployed. I also thought so to. I googled the Kia Forte and found reporting of air bag deployment issues. Please investigate.”
NHTSA complaint #11443957, filed 2021-12“The contact owned a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, he was involved in a hit-and-run accident and after the impact, the vehicle crashed into a tree. The contact stated that all of the air bags failed to deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's grandson did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The insurance company towed the vehicle to one of their tow yards and at that time the vehicle was deemed totaled. …”
NHTSA complaint #11492108, filed 2022-11, 118,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 27% |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 5 | 6% |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 | 16 | 12% |
| 2017 | 18 | 6% |
| 2016 | 13 | 10% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 63 | 14% |
| 2013 | 16 | 8% |
| 2012 | 37 | 13% |
| 2011 | 35 | 23% |
| 2010 | 41 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Forte
66 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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