TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA STORE RAINBOW CITY GADSDEN (950 W GRAND AVE, RAINBOW CITY, AL 35906, (256) 442-3232) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING…
2010 kia Forte airbags problems
critical 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
42
Recalls
0
Crashes
17
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD TRAUMA AND INJURIES TO THE KNEE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO SECURE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANI…
Engine and air bag
WHILE COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INTO A RETAINING WALL. KIA IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING WORD FROM MY BODY SHOP AS TO IF THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED OR NOT. IF IT IS FIXABLE I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I AM SEEING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT.
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.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2010 kia Forte?
It's a serious issue. 42 complaints have been filed, including 17 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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