TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT FOR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON - DTC B1346/B1481 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the driver's airbag clock spring assembly on some 2012-2013MY Rio (UB) and 2014-2015MY Forte/Koup (YD) associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY017).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Kia Forte airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Kia Forte have filed 52 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 90,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
52
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Forte | 42 |
| 2011 Forte | 32 |
| 2012 Forte | 31 |
| 2013 Forte | 14 |
| 2014 Forte (this page) | 52 |
| 2015 Forte | 20 |
| 2017 Forte | 16 |
| 2018 Forte | 14 |
18crashes
17injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 52 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Kia Forte we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 52.
Owners have filed 52 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT FOR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON â DTC B1346/B1481 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the driverâÂÂs airbag clock spring assembly on some 2012-2013MY Rio (UB) and 2014-2015MY Forte/Koup (YD) associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY017). If the Airbag Warning Light is ON with any of the DTCâÂÂs below, follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to resolve the issue.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO FORTE AND FORTE KOUP VEHICLE OWNERS - This document is notice to the owners of the 2014-2015 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date the vehicles were first put into service.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: This document is the Request for Reimbursement form for the 2014-2015 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicle owners to use in the event they incurred expenses related to this Extended Warranty Program prior to the launch of the Warranty Extension.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO DEALER PRINCIPALS - This document is notice to the dealer principals of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly on 2012-2013 MY Rio and 2014-2015 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date the vehicles were first put into service.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Kia Fortes describe a dual airbag crisis: field deployment failures and persistent warning-light faults that dealers will not address without paid diagnostics.
Non-deployment in crashes is the most serious complaint. Owners document multiple accidents—some at substantial speeds, others causing vehicle totals—where airbags never fired. One driver at 50,000 miles rear-ended another vehicle; at 60+ mph, a Chevy Blazer hit a Forte broadside ripping the front end off, yet no bags deployed. Another owner hydroplaned at 65 mph, struck a guardrail three times, and walked away with minor scrapes because the bags stayed silent. A third suffered a collapsed lung, fractured wrist, and broken rib when t-boning a Prius with no airbag cushion. Kia engineers examined photos remotely and claimed airbags "should not have deployed"—a determination made without physical inspection.
Warning lights and electrical chaos plague dozens of owners. The airbag indicator comes on and off at random, sometimes speed-dependent, sometimes permanent. Owners also report doors that won't lock or open, headlights activating while parked, emergency flashers firing without input, windows stuck, and traction lights flickering. One owner's car stalled with smoke in the cabin while the airbag light glowed. Dealerships cite $150 diagnostic fees or refuse work entirely. Kia points owners to NHTSA, claiming the 2014 model falls outside recalls that cover 2010–2013 Fortes for identical faults.
A defective clockspring—suspected by owners and confirmed by at least one mechanic—may be the root cause, disabling both airbag control and steering-wheel functions like the horn.
Same Kia Forte airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags fail to deploy in crashes
Frontal and side-impact airbags do not deploy during accidents ranging from low-speed impacts to severe collisions. Owners report crashes with substantial damage—some resulting in totaled vehicles and injuries—where airbags remained inactive. In several cases, vehicles struck guardrails, were rear-ended, or hit head-on at speeds ranging from 15 to 60+ mph with no airbag deployment.
When: During accidents at various speeds and mileages (8,000 to 119,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete absence of airbag deployment during front-end collisions; Side curtain airbags do not deploy on side-impact crashes; No warning lights visible before crashes in most cases; Vehicles totaled despite no airbag cushioning
Repairs/costs cited: Manufacturer examined photos in at least one case and determined airbags should not have deployed; most cases not repaired or investigated. One owner at 50,000 miles was told by dealer that airbags needed replacement because they would not deploy in an accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia engineers made remote determinations from photos without physical vehicle inspection; manufacturer ordered one vehicle not be touched pending examination. Some owners reported manufacturer declined to acknowledge failures or provide recalls for 2014 model year when 2010–2013 models were recalled for airbag issues.
Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or stays on
Airbag warning indicator comes on and off randomly or remains continuously illuminated without the vehicle being in an accident. Light may appear after starting the car or when driving above certain speeds. Owners report the light appears unprompted and persists despite attempts to reset it.
When: At various mileages from 39,000 to 137,000 miles; some owners had light come on after 6+ months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light turns on and off intermittently, sometimes speed-dependent (comes on above 15–20 mph); Light stays on continuously after initial intermittent behavior; Light returns immediately after manual reset attempts; No accident or crash preceding the warning; Owners report fear of inadvertent airbag deployment
Codes mentioned: Airbag control module fault suspected, Wiring harness issues noted in repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships often quoted $150+ diagnostic fees and declined to perform work under warranty. One owner at 50,000 miles was told airbag wiring harness and pretensioner switch needed repair and that airbags required replacement. Another at 106,000 miles had light reset by independent mechanic but it returned immediately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed owners that 2014 model was not included in airbag recall NHTSA Campaign 18V363000 or 20V750000, despite similar issues affecting 2010–2013 Forte models. Kia declined diagnostic requests and referrals were made to NHTSA.
Electrical system faults affecting airbag and related safety systems
Multiple electrical failures occur alongside or independent of airbag warnings, including door locks not functioning, window failures, headlights activating when parked, emergency flashers engaging without input, and traction/anti-slide lights illuminating without cause. These systemic electrical issues correlate with airbag system malfunctions and may indicate broader control module or wiring harness problems.
When: Starting in early 2014 for one owner; others at varying mileages up to 105,000
Symptoms owners cite: Doors not unlocking or opening from inside or outside; Windows not opening; Headlights turning on while vehicle parked; Emergency flashers activating without button press; Traction/anti-slide light illuminating during normal driving; Smoke under hood with airbag light illuminated; Engine stalling with smoke in cabin; Check engine light and airbag light together; Vehicle speed limited to 40 mph with inoperable speedometer
Codes mentioned: Engine misfire codes (inferred from dark smoke from exhaust), Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership could not replicate electrical codes during diagnostics and declined to investigate. One vehicle at 105,000 miles was taken to dealership six times and then to independent mechanic; an unknown part was repaired but failures recurred. Another vehicle at 90,000 miles was repaired under NHTSA Campaign 20V750000 (engine) but warning lights remained illuminated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia refused to address electrical issues because dealership could not replicate codes during test drives. Vehicle repaired under engine recall but airbag and warning light issues remained unresolved.
Clockspring failure affecting airbag control and steering wheel functions
Clockspring component appears to fail, cutting power to airbag control circuits and disabling steering wheel-mounted controls. One owner explicitly identified a defective clockspring as the cause of airbag non-deployment in two separate crashes; another owner reported horn and steering wheel buttons ceased functioning alongside airbag light illumination.
When: At 40,000 miles in one crash scenario; after approximately 6 years of ownership in another
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminates; Horn stops working; Steering wheel control buttons inoperable (cruise control, horn buttons); Follows crashes in which airbags did not deploy
Repairs/costs cited: One owner identified clockspring replacement as necessary but both dealership and manufacturer rejected the request. Another owner was told a clock spring needs replacement but no repair was performed. One owner reported dealership told him airbag needs replacing because it will not deploy in an accident, possibly indicating clockspring or wiring diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer rejected request to replace clockspring at 40,000 miles. No warranty coverage offered for clockspring replacement.
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Large Buck deer hit car with force, did not loose control, did not slam brakes attempted to pull to side of road. The hood flew up and had to use the emergency brake to come to full stop, put in park but the gas was full throttle. Neither airbag deployed and definitely should have.
Airbags failed to deploy when vehicle involved in a front-end collision.
The air bad light is on and horn dose not working currently there is a open recall on the clutch spring for the air bag but my vin say no repair
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2014 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 52 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 36 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 58,000 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 106,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Kia/Forte.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.