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Air bagsPart report

2020 Kia Forte Air bags Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
6%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2020 Kia Forte, 6% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“I was turning left through a green light onto a city road when a car coming from the left side ran a red light going 50 miles an hour in a 35 miles an hour road, crashing into the side of my car. It hit the front drivers side tire and door, but was hit so hard that my car moved forward about 8 - 10 feet. My car is suppose to have sensor directly where the other person car hit mine but none of the air bags went off. Even though this car is suppose to have side airbags for those types of collisions.”

NHTSA complaint #11318580, filed 2020-03, 1,000 miles

“I was driving a vehicle two cars ahead did and illegal turn the car behind it stopped the truck behind them stopped I stopped behind the truck the car behind me did not stop and slammed me into the back of the truck in my airbags did not deploy”

NHTSA complaint #11717285, filed 2026-02

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated and then went off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light was again illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …”

NHTSA complaint #11759556, filed 2026-08, 109,900 miles

“Car took off. Zoomed. Out of control, my safety was put at risk since car speeded off. No one else safety was at risk since no one was around. The car is currently at a collision shop. Car has been inspected by insurance and being fixed. No warning signs and air bags did not come out.”

NHTSA complaint #11526961, filed 2023-06

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on a bend in the highway, a deer jumped over the barrier and landed on the top of the contact's front windshield. The contact stated that she was knocked unconscious due to the impact. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. The contact was strapped in the driver's seat when she regained consciousness. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The state police were called to the scene of the accident. Days later, after the accident, the contact went to Urgent Care. …”

NHTSA complaint #11717259, filed 2026-02, 55,000 miles

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 2020 Kia Forte

Other or unknown
26 complaints
Engine
20 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 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