On August 22nd 2025 my daughter was driving this vehicle and was in a car accident and her front air bags did not deploy. Her passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger but nothing in the front and it was a front collision. Upon receipt of the Paperwork from Copart we learned there was an active recall from 2018 for the front airbags possibly not deploying and resulting in injury during a collision, which is what happened. Her knee and ribs were injured from hitting the steering wheel. The car was declared a total loss from insurance.
2010 Kia Forte airbags problems
41 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,702. 17 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 41
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 80,702
- crashes
- 17
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette1
- Frontal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Forte airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Kia Forte airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
- Risk
- If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Recall number 18V363000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Air bags may be disabled during crash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. ODI also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, ZF-TRW (ZF), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (ACU) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai Motor America (HMA) issued recall No. 18V‑137 for MY 2011-2013 Sonata and MY 2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. Kia Motors America (KMA) issued recall No. 18V‑363 for MY 2010-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, MY 2011-2013 Optima, MY 2011-2012 Optima Hybrid, and MY2011-2012 Sedona vehicles. The two recalls address vehicles containing ACUs manufactured without adequate circuit protection by installing a wire harness filter kit to prevent internal damage to the ACU. In the event of a crash, ACU damage may result in the disablement of the vehicle's airbags. Each respective manufacturer has mailed letters to affected vehicle owners informing them of the remedy and its availability. ODI plans to evaluate the susceptibility of the subject ACU to electrical signals, as well as other vehicle factors that can either lead to, or reduce the likelihood of, an electrical overstress event in other vehicles manufactured with the subject ZF ACU.Accordingly, this Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-001), to expand the scope of the investigation to include the Tier-one supplier and any manufacturers who installed the subject ACU in production vehicles. Additional information is available with the closing resume available at (see Associated Documents).The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers: 10781050, 10849839, 11099038, 11080341.
PE18003
What 2010 Kia Forte owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
the air bag light is on, the cruise control stop working around the same time, the light came on.
Air bag light turned on June 2025. Could not be reset. Had local shop read the code. Driver's side air bag, likely clock spring. Brought it to the dealership after a month wait for appointment. It was confirmed that it was the Clock Spring and replaced. This is not a wear part. Research shows a very common issue with other kia and hyundai makes and models of a similar age that were actively recalled.. Kia declined and will not reimburse due to not having a recall for my specific make, model, and year.
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while stopped at the traffic light, a tractor-trailer crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained back pain. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was still drivable at the scene. Prior to the crash, the dealer was contacted on several occasions to schedule an appointment for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer would reschedule each appointment attempt. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,100.
Airbag light will not turn off after 6 seconds. Stays on even when driving. Cruise control turns on sporadically when trying to turn off, it will not respond stays on. Car will be inspected on 10/03/2023 by Earnhardt Peoria KIA Peoria Az.
The air bag is on for over 3 years and not included in the recall. This is a fearful safety issue. The serpentine belt has been replaced three times a year.
Engine and air bag
In June 2021 my air bag light came on. Called the dealership to have them check it out. Said they would get back with me to have it checked. 2-3 days later I was driving and hit a pothole air bags deployed while driving busted windshield driver and passenger side airbags deployed. Busted windshield and broke both seatbelts cannot pull out or be safe driving it Kia of America.
The 2010 kia was traveling on a rural state highway with at a speed that has not been determined yet. When coming over a hill the car leaves the right side of road way, the driver over corrects spinning the car, it travels 180-200'feet backwards, leaves the road way snd side impact a tree. My 14'year old was wearing a safety device at the time she was on the right passenger side which is where the impact occurred she was found . She was pronouned at the scene . She was found still in the safety device her bottom half was somewhat in the passenger compartment under the dash and her top half still buckled in was found over into the driver seat/floorboard. It is my understanding that there was a recall concerning the seatbelts on this particular VIN number the crash is still under investigation however I've been unable to obtain any information on whether her seatbelt actually locked as it should have as I stated she was still buckled in when I found her they cut the seatbelt off of her but I think that's just a standard practice I will be receiving crash reports however those are not finished yet.
My 2010 kia forte has 62,751 miles on it and the air bag light remains on constantly when I am driving. I was parked in my carport and started the car to go to the post office to pick up my mail. The air bag light came on as usual but this time it stayed on (solid) and remains that way. I called the dealership and was told there was a recall for air bags for 2010 kia fortes but mine was not included. I am a senior citizen living alone with limited funds and have no choice, I have to drive this car and am constantly in fear of losing my life or being severely injured in the event of a crash. That alone is a major distraction while driving. This is a safety issue and I don't understand if other 2010 kia forte's were included, why mine was not. I believe my car should be included in the recall so the repair can be made by the dealership without a charge to me, which will allow me to quit living in fear and be able to drive safely.
Questions about the 2010 Kia Forte airbags
Does the 2010 Kia Forte have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the airbags of the 2010 Kia Forte, 19% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2010 Kia Forte airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,702 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Kia Forte airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V363000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Forte have bad airbags?
The Kia Forte model years with the most airbags complaints are 2014 (63 complaints), 2010 (41 complaints) and 2012 (37 complaints).
Other 2010 Kia Forte problems
Engine 81Tires 23Transmission 23Brakes 19Electrical 19Wheels 17Lights 15Steering 11Driver assistance 10Acceleration 9Fuel system 9Seat belts 9Body 5Suspension 4Seats 3Visibility 2
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