VehicleVerdict

2012 Kia Forte airbags problems

The 2012 Kia Forte has 36 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

36

Airbags complaints

9%

Share of year

15

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

18V363000AirbagsJune 1, 2018 · 507,587 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Consequence

If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

What owners report

NOV 7 2016 WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON A MAIN STREET WITH TWO CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN ME AND PERSON IN FRONT, DUE TO THE HEAVY VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. I WAS HIT IN THE REAR, END BY AN SUV, THEN SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND SENT BACK AGAIN AND SLAMMED THE CAR THAT INITIALLY HIT ME. MY AIR BAGS DID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 7, 2016 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2012 Kia Forte have?

NHTSA has 36 complaints about the 2012 Kia Forte airbags — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Kia Forte airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 18V363000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.