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 ↗2015 Kia Forte airbags problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
9crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 20 airbags complaints filed for the 2015 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 2015 Kia Fortes describe two distinct categories of airbag failure. The first involves non-deployment during actual collisions. Six separate complaints document crashes—head-on impacts at 65 mph, broadsides, rollovers, and 40+ mph T-bone collisions—where airbags never inflated despite severe vehicle damage. Occupants sustained injuries with no protection. One owner with paramedic experience stated bluntly the system failed and predicted fatalities if unfixed.
The second failure mode is electronic: airbag control modules quit without collision. Owners report warning lights coming on or cycling on and off during normal driving. Dealers diagnosed failed primary modules and non-functional airbags at mileage as low as 12,000 to 30,500 miles. One owner dealt with a defective clock spring after having the car serviced for a Takata recall—the recall itself appeared to cause additional failures the dealer wouldn't warranty. Repair quotes ran $875 for module replacement plus diagnostic fees. Several owners noted Kia's vague responses about recalls and were told to wait for notification while their airbags sat non-functional.
Same Kia Forte airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Non-deployment in impacts
Airbags failed to deploy in multiple collision scenarios including head-on impact with wildlife at 65 mph, broadside collisions, rollover accidents, and front-end crashes at highway speeds. Consumers report significant vehicle damage that would normally trigger deployment, but systems remained inactive.
When: At impact; mileage varied from 29,000 to 180,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during collision; Vehicle sustained severe front-end or structural damage; Occupant injuries due to lack of cushioning; Vehicle totaled or required major repair
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was repaired but cause not determined; other vehicles totaled or owner did not pursue repair
Airbag module failure
Airbag control modules failed, detected by warning light illumination or dealer diagnosis. Failures occurred on vehicles with low mileage and minimal accident history, suggesting premature electronic component degradation. Dealers quoted repair costs around $875 and mentioned potential Takata-related recalls.
When: Between 12 months and 3 years after purchase; 30,500 miles; one failure at 12 months post-purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light comes on; Intermittent warning light (on and off while driving); Dealer diagnosis: computer module failed, non-functioning airbags
Codes mentioned: OBD code: driver-side airbag resistor too high
Repairs/costs cited: Primary airbag module replacement quoted at $875; diagnosis cost $165; part ordered by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Potential Takata recall mentioned but unclear coverage; consumers told to wait for recall notification
Airbag clock spring defect
Clock spring assembly failed after Takata recall service, causing airbag malfunction despite recent safety recall work. Defect was diagnosed but not covered under warranty.
When: After recall service in February 2018; 2015 model received recall notice January 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light remained on after recall service; Clock spring identified as defective by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring diagnosed as defective but not covered under warranty; liability concerns prevented independent repair shops from addressing it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata inflator recall issued January 2018; recall service performed February 2018 but resulted in additional unrelated failures
Steering wheel button and control failures
Airbag-related steering wheel controls became non-functional, including steering wheel buttons and cruise control. Occurred alongside airbag warning light illumination and engine vibration.
When: Within 2-3 weeks of purchase from dealer
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on; Steering wheel buttons/controls unresponsive; Cruise control inoperative; Engine shaking/vibration
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
"takata recall" I was traveling at 45 miles per hour when another vehicle made an oncoming left turn into my lane, causing a collision. I hit the other vehicle head on with her front passenger wheel. The airbags did not deploy. Is there a recall on this? *js
Had airbags trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 28,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 50,475. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. 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/2015/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.