WCS Sensor Defect B1322-20 - Airbag Code WCS Communication Error B1324-20 - Airbag Code Door Ajar Lamp Circuit Failure B1323-20 - Airbag Code
2011 Kia Forte airbags problems
35 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 63,000. 20 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 35
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 63,000
- crashes
- 20
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- 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 2011 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 2011 Kia Forte owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
No incident yet, but I see other Kia's that have been recalled for powertrain system and air bag issues. The power train issue comes up when I get my engine light checked and the airbag light is on. Also, a constant problem is the break switch, the push button car won't start sometimes and the steering wheel doesnt lock because immobilizer Is a problem and other Kia's have been recalled but not mine, instead they sent me a wheel car lock. I see online so many people complaining about the push button car not starting like mine which may be due to the immobilizer issue and theft. It is annoying to see other vehicle recalled but not mine.
The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all lights on the front door shut on steering wheel locked on friendship Road exit 8 and the vehicle had to be towed to a shop we’re now it was put on a lift and there is a hole in the bottom of the engine , And the transmission is not in tact
The driver airbag light came on in June 2021 - I called Kia dealership and they said there was no recall. Last month the passenger airbag light came on. Both appear to not be working. I do not have extended warranty and my car is past warranty. I am wondering if any other Kia owners have a similar problem. I have never been in any major accidents and am an excellent driver. I am hoping there is a recall issued in the near future.
I was in motion, turning left from 13th street norfolk ne, into the grocery store parking lot, when another vehicle crashed into my drivers side and rear door directly in the middle. My drivers side door was unable to open, and the frame between both door was dented in.
Had front collision air bag deployment issue recall notice letter from kia I never received a follow up notice to fix.
Took car into dealership for recall sc165. Was told that the recall doesn't account for removing/reading the airbag sensors. The estimate to read the codes is $150 that can then go to cost of repairs. Why wouldn't a recall on the airbag system include reading the senors and ensuring they are working properly?
Takata recall: I was involved in a not at fault side impact car accident in which the air bags did not deploy, and I was injured and am currently seeking medical attention.
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?
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 kia forte. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver's frontal air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered a cut to the head, and injuries to the legs and hip. Medical attention was required. Police report number: 1820224 was filed. The manufacturer was contacted, but the dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The cause of the air bag failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 32,000.
Questions about the 2011 Kia Forte airbags
Does the 2011 Kia Forte have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 35 complaints about the airbags of the 2011 Kia Forte, 23% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Forte airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 63,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 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 2011 Kia Forte problems
Engine 48Brakes 29Transmission 18Electrical 16Acceleration 10Body 8Lights 8Driver assistance 6Seat belts 6Steering 5Fuel system 4Seats 2Tires 2Visibility 2Suspension 1Wheels 1
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