2018 Kia Forte Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 12%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Kia Forte, 12% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,500 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, 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 initially submitted a complaint on Nov 6 with my 2018 kia about engine failure /possibly, my car was towed to Darcars kia Urbana pike in frederick md, I had just made an appointment with them b4 my car broke down to get the trunk & air bag recalls taken care of 11/09 my car sat there until yesterday, they never took care of the recalls? REGARDLESS my engine /break down shouldn't they have fixed those issues? …”
NHTSA complaint #11495674, filed 2022-12, 108,998 miles“Takata recall I was in an accident. The initial impact was the front of the car and the drivers side airbag did not deploy. I ran a stop sign at aprox 35mph and tee boned a truck. After the impact I spun into a telephone pole where the side curtain did deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11103871, filed 2018-06, 2,900 miles“In loved accident june17th 2019 was rear ended and driven into rear end of 129000 lbs tractor trailer. Car was demolished, front end and rear sustained major damage. Was extracted from car.air bags dud not delploy. Sustained fractured skull and concussion”
NHTSA complaint #11343873, filed 2020-08, 184,000 miles“I got into a car accident and my air bags never deployed and the seat beat didn’t lock so I cause me to get jerked and my head hit the side door and I messed up my left shoulder and arm in the process of holding myself from hitting the steering wheel and my breaks didn’t stop when I got hit and pressed down my car got stuck on drive accelerating on its own after I had my foot on break to stop the car”
NHTSA complaint #11583731, filed 2024-04“Brakes completely locked up during my attempt to stop the vehicle does have abs and that is supposed to allow the wheels to keep moving so that you can try to maneuver and when I made contact with the other vehicle the airbag never deployed”
NHTSA complaint #11571352, filed 2024-02Related recalls
- 22V031000Jan 25, 2022Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU)…Covers: Kia Forte 2017–2018, Sedona 2017–2019, Soul 2017–2019 +2 more
Air 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 2018 Kia Forte
57 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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