A deer ran out on the parkway when I was coming home from work and it totaled my vehicle. The ambulance had to pry the door open to get me out. The airbag never deployed and the seatbelt popped open.
Kia Sportage no deployment problems
104 of the 4,730 owner complaints about the Kia Sportage describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 104
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 44,000
By model year
Often reported together
Airbag light 8Sudden acceleration 2Seat belt 2Jerking 2Headlights 2Wipers 1Windshield crack 1Won't shift 1
What owners say
I was involved in a motor vehicle collision where my vehicle sustained significant front-end damage and was later declared a total loss by my insurance company. Despite the severity of the impact, the front airbags did not deploy. The impact was primarily to the front of the vehicle, and the damage required extensive repairs, exceeding the threshold for a total loss. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time of the crash. The failure of the airbag system to deploy raised serious safety concerns, as airbags are intended to provide occupant protection in frontal crashes of this nature. I experienced physical discomfort after the incident and believe the lack of airbag deployment increased the risk of injury. There were no warning lights or messages related to the airbag or restraint system prior to the crash. The vehicle had not shown any prior airbag or safety system faults. The vehicle is currently available for inspection and has been reviewed by the insurance company. I am reporting this incident to request investigation into a potential airbag system malfunction that could pose a safety risk to other drivers
On November 15, I was traveling with my mother and seated in the front passenger seat of a 2023 Kia Sportage while she was driving approximately 65 mph on the interstate when the vehicle struck a deer. The impact caused significant front-end damage, including the bumper, radiator area, and underbody components. I was wearing a seatbelt. Despite the severity of the collision and the high rate of speed, neither the driver nor passenger airbags deployed. No airbags deployed in any position in the vehicle. I sustained injuries, including a right shoulder sprain and having the wind knocked out of me, and required medical care. As a result of this crash, my mother developed post-traumatic stress symptoms, including fear of driving and anxiety related to the accident. The component that failed appears to be the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)/airbag system, which did not deploy in a crash that should have met deployment thresholds. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This failure put our safety at risk by leaving us without the primary restraint protection designed to prevent head, chest, and upper body injuries in a high-speed frontal collision. The issue has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. The vehicle has been seen by insurance, but no airbag system inspection or explanation has been provided. There were no airbag warning lights or dashboard messages prior to the crash. If there were any faults stored in the system, they were not displayed to the occupants. I believe this is a serious safety defect involving airbag non-deployment.
Description of Crash: On [XXX], I was involved in a front-end collision while driving my 2024 Kia Sportage. Despite the impact, the airbags did not deploy. Additionally, the Forward Collision Assistance system did not engage or warn me prior to the crash, even though conditions were normal and the system was active. Safety Concern: •The airbags and collision assistance are federally regulated safety systems. Their failure put me and any potential passengers at serious risk. •I am very concerned this indicates a defect in the airbag and/or collision avoidance system. Damage/Injuries: My front end of my vehicle is completely destroyed, and so is my engine. As for myself I am experiencing some soreness and discomfort Requested Action: •I request that Kia and the federal safety agency investigate this failure as a potential safety defect. •I want confirmation that my case has been documented and reviewed for possible recall or repair action. State Farm Claim #: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owned a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned all 3 lanes on the highway. The vehicle hit a retaining wall, the vehicle bounced back, spun around, and faced oncoming traffic head-on. An oversized trailer crashed into the contact's vehicle head-on and pushed the vehicle into the middle lane, where it came to a stop. The driverâs and passengerâs side air bags did not deploy. Unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. However, the vehicle's system contacted 911. A police report was filed. The contact was taken to the hospital via ambulance due to sustaining severe injuries to the left shoulder, collapsed lung, chest abrasions, nerve damage to the abdominal area, nerve damage to the lower back, and a brain injury. The contact recently had surgery on her left shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a local towing yard. The insurance company was contacted and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact hired an attorney who hired an engineer to check the black box inside the vehicle and found that nothing was recorded. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.Â
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, the vehicle was struck on the passenger side front quarter panel by another vehicle that had failed to yield. As a result, the vehicle spun out of control through the intersection before coming to a complete stop, causing the driver to hit her head on the driver's side window. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was evaluated by EMT on scene but declined to be transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver later transported herself to an area hospital and was treated for a concussion, neck pain, bruising, and various minor cuts to the knees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owned a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 77 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front-impact crash with a large-sized deer. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that two minor children were seated in the rear seat. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was administered. A police report was filed. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 22,500.
The contact was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage but the air bag did not deploy. Also, during the crash, the second vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the crash. The manufacturer has not yet contacted us. The failure mileage was 450.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle suddenly crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash, no air bags deployed and the driver sustained minor neck and back injuries which did not require medical treatment. No police report was taken. The vehicle was later driven to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 6,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, attempting to merge onto the roadway, and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to decelerate. As a result, the vehicle crashed into semi-truck on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was transported to an area hospital and treated for whiplash and back pain. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who did not diagnose the failure. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.
Related recalls
Air bags: side/window: curtain
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.
- Risk
- A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.
Recall number 22V878000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sportage no deployment
Which Kia Sportage years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (13 complaints), 2002 (10 complaints) and 2023 (10 complaints).
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