At the shop, Kia seatbelt issues have a recognizable signature. 160 documented complaints across 34 year-model entries from 2005 to 2024 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 2 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Kia vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Average shop fix runs about $500 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Drive it across the conditions it will actually see — heat, cold, highway, stop-and-go. Pattern complaints surface under load, not in the dealer parking lot.
ProblemsByVin KIA / SEATBELTS
34 model-year entries · 2005–2024
Kia seatbelts problems
160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Kia vehicles for seatbelts issues. 3 active recall campaigns. See seatbelts across all makes →
Complaints
160
Recalls
3
Year-models
34
Avg fix
$500
21crashes
24injuries
2fatalities
Worst-affected Kia model-years for seatbelts Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2013 Kia Optima
10 complaints · ~$500 critical
2014 Kia Forte
8 complaints · ~$500 severe
2009 Kia Borrego
8 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2015 Kia Soul
7 complaints · ~$500 severe
2024 Kia Telluride
6 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2017 Kia Optima
6 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2017 Kia Sorento
6 complaints · ~$500 severe
2016 Kia Sorento
6 complaints · 1 recall · ~$500 severe
2013 Kia Sorento
6 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2007 Kia Rondo
6 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2024 Kia EV9
5 complaints · 1 recall · ~$500 severe
2019 Kia Sorento
5 complaints · ~$500 severe
2014 Kia Soul
5 complaints · ~$500 severe
2011 Kia Sorento
5 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2023 Kia Telluride
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2022 Kia Telluride
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2021 Kia Telluride
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2021 Kia Seltos
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2016 Kia Soul
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2016 Kia Sedona
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2014 Kia Sorento
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2013 Kia Soul
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2012 Kia Soul
4 complaints · ~$500 severe
2009 Kia Rondo
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
2008 Kia Spectra
4 complaints · ~$500 moderate
Active recalls — Kia seatbelts 5 on file
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sedona vehicles equipped with an 8-passenger seat arrangement
A seat belt that cannot be properly used increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt installation, and reinstall the seat belt buckle to the correct side if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia 's number for this recall is SC177.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The recall began July 1, 2016. Kia's number for this recall is SC132.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
Kia America, Inc
A seat belt retractor that does not operate as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC312.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles
If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.
Common questions
How many Kia seatbelts complaints are on file with NHTSA?
160 complaints across 34 model-year entries from 2005 to 2024. 3 active recall campaigns cover seatbelts issues across the Kia lineup.
Which Kia model has the most seatbelts complaints?
The 2013 Kia Optima leads with 10 complaints in this category. Next: 2014 Forte (8) and 2009 Borrego (8).
What does it cost to fix Kia seatbelts problems?
Independent shops average $500 for seatbelts repairs across the Kia lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Kia seatbelts recalls?
Yes — 5 active recall campaigns cover seatbelts on Kia vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Kia.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.