The manufacturer filed it. Here it is, by model.
Early Warning Reporting · Kia
Kia Forte: deaths and injuries the manufacturer reported to NHTSA
Kia reported 160 incidents alleging a death or injury in a Kia Forte, model years 2010–2024, in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21), through 2026 Q1. Each is a claim the manufacturer received, not a finding; NHTSA does not verify them.
160 incidents reported
26 deaths, as claimed
190 injuries, as claimed
2010–2024 model years named
By model year
Source: manufacturer EWR death and injury reports and production reports| Model year | Incidents | Killed | Injured | Built | Per 100,000 built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 | 3 | 22 | — | — |
| 2011 | 16 | 2 | 16 | — | — |
| 2012 | 18 | 4 | 20 | — | — |
| 2013 | 8 | 1 | 10 | — | — |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | 10 | — | — |
| 2015 | 14 | 2 | 14 | — | — |
| 2016 | 13 | 1 | 17 | 104,980 | 12 |
| 2017 | 16 | 7 | 17 | 130,478 | 12 |
| 2018 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 84,830 | 9.4 |
| 2019 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 101,168 | 11 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 89,077 | 3.4 |
| 2021 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 123,229 | 8.1 |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 75,160 | 8.0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 155,454 | 4.5 |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 128,227 | 4.7 |
The model year is the one the manufacturer named in the report. A model year with its own page links to it. “Built” is the manufacturer’s cumulative production for the model year from its latest Early Warning production report; the rate is incidents per 100,000 of them.
By the system the claimant named
Source: as the manufacturer reported it| System named | Incidents | Killed |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 102 | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 25 | 8 |
| Engine and Cooling System | 15 | 5 |
| Fire | 12 | 7 |
| Structure | 12 | 3 |
| Service Brake System | 9 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 4 |
| Steering System | 6 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 0 |
| Power Train | 5 | 1 |
| Tires | 4 | 1 |
| Forward Collision | 3 | 0 |
| Latch | 3 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brake System, Air | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 |
| No System/Component Specified | 2 | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Rollover | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 |
An incident naming several systems is counted under each. “Fire” and “Other” are categories in the rule, not systems.
Every one of these, dated and numbered
The defect dossier for the Kia Forte puts each report beside the recalls, investigations, bulletins and owner complaints on the same system, as a PDF and two CSVs: the Kia Forte, one system, every model year, numbered as exhibits.
The incidents
Source: VIN shown as NHTSA publishes it: the first eleven characters| Incident | Model year | State | Killed | Injured | Systems named | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-04 | 2022 | DE | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q4 |
| 2025-11-07 | 2019 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q4 |
| 2025-09-03 | 2017 | TN | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-08-13 | 2022 | SC | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-07-21 | 2021 | TN | 0 | 1 | Steering System | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-07-05 | 2023 | LA | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-06-21 | 2020 | KY | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-06-03 | 2017 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Fire · Electrical System · Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-05-28 | 2024 | MA | 0 | 1 | Forward Collision · Service Brake System | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-05-10 | 2023 | IL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-05-01 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-04-21 | 2016 | MO | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-04-15 | 2024 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-03-12 | 2023 | LA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q1 |
| 2025-03-07 | 2019 | IN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2025-01-30 | 2022 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-12-27 | 2023 | AL | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-12-25 | 2024 | MS | 0 | 2 | Lane Departure | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-11-28 | 2019 | FL | 0 | 1 | Fire · Latch · Structure · Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-11-24 | 2022 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Lane Departure | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-11-17 | 2024 | PA | 0 | 1 | Forward Collision · Service Brake System, Air · Steering System | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-11-02 | 2018 | ID | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-10-20 | 2024 | MO | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-10-17 | 2024 | MS | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-09-19 | 2023 | OH | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-07-24 | 2023 | OH | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2024 Q3 |
| 2024-06-21 | 2015 | OH | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System · Service Brake System · Steering System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2024-05-29 | 2015 | OH | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Air Bags · Power Train · Service Brake System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2023-12-22 | 2017 | AR | 1 | 0 | Fire · Wheels · Structure · Engine and Cooling System · Steering System | 2024 Q1 |
| 2023-12-03 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 3 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2023-11-27 | 2018 | TX | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 2025 Q3 |
| 2023-10-20 | 2021 | CA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q2 |
| 2023-09-22 | 2021 | NY | 0 | 1 | Forward Collision | 2024 Q1 |
| 2023-06-11 | 2021 | NV | 3 | 1 | Fire · Electrical System | 2024 Q1 |
| 2023-05-28 | 2021 | WA | 0 | 4 | Air Bags | 2023 Q2 |
| 2023-05-14 | 2021 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2026 Q1 |
| 2023-05-14 | 2017 | OK | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2023 Q3 |
| 2023-04-16 | 2019 | GA | 0 | 2 | Vehicle Speed Control · Service Brake System | 2023 Q2 |
| 2023-03-13 | 2022 | MO | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts | 2025 Q2 |
| 2023-03-13 | 2018 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2023-01-31 | 2015 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2023-01-29 | 2019 | NY | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2023 Q4 |
| 2023-01-26 | 2021 | IN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2023 Q1 |
| 2023-01-21 | 2023 | AR | 0 | 3 | Air Bags | 2023 Q1 |
| 2023-01-04 | 2017 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2023 Q3 |
| 2022-12-20 | 2014 | KY | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2023 Q1 |
| 2022-11-15 | 2018 | KY | 1 | 2 | Air Bags | 2023 Q3 |
| 2022-11-15 | 2015 | TX | 1 | 0 | Structure | 2023 Q3 |
| 2022-09-21 | 2016 | TX | 0 | 2 | Structure | 2023 Q4 |
| 2022-09-08 | 2022 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2022 Q4 |
| 2022-08-22 | 2019 | IN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q3 |
| 2022-08-12 | 2021 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2022-06-13 | 2012 | OR | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-06-02 | 2014 | AR | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-05-19 | 2017 | NY | 2 | 0 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2022 Q3 |
| 2022-05-14 | 2019 | TX | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-04-04 | 2014 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seats · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2022 Q4 |
| 2021-10-02 | 2018 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q4 |
| 2021-09-19 | 2019 | WI | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2021 Q4 |
| 2021-08-21 | 2021 | NH | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Air Bags | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-08-17 | 2017 | AL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-08-15 | 2020 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-08-09 | 2014 | MO | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2022 Q1 |
| 2021-06-03 | 2021 | SC | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2022 Q3 |
| 2021-02-22 | 2016 | MD | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2021 Q1 |
| 2021-01-03 | 2018 | OH | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q1 |
| 2020-12-07 | 2016 | GA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2020 Q4 |
| 2020-07-30 | 2014 | UT | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2021 Q4 |
| 2020-05-30 | 2019 | CA | 1 | 0 | Fire · Tires · Latch · Steering System | 2020 Q4 |
| 2020-05-30 | 2013 | SC | 0 | 1 | Visibility | 2020 Q2 |
| 2020-03-23 | 2012 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2020 Q1 |
| 2020-03-13 | 2020 | OK | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2020 Q1 |
| 2020-02-27 | 2012 | OH | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2020 Q1 |
| 2020-01-12 | 2012 | GA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2020 Q3 |
| 2019-11-27 | 2016 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-08-25 | 2017 | CA | 1 | 3 | Power Train | 2021 Q4 |
| 2019-08-01 | 2018 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Steering System | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-06-18 | 2019 | OK | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2021 Q2 |
| 2019-06-13 | 2010 | ID | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Other | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-05-19 | 2017 | GA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Tires | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-05-13 | 2018 | IN | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-05-01 | 2017 | GA | 1 | 0 | Seat Belts · Air Bags · Engine and Cooling System · Service Brake System | 2021 Q2 |
| 2019-04-21 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Rollover · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-04-03 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-01-30 | 2016 | IL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q1 |
| 2019-01-12 | 2012 | WV | 1 | 1 | No System/Component Specified | 2021 Q1 |
| 2018-10-26 | 2017 | TX | 0 | 2 | Structure | 2019 Q3 |
| 2018-10-16 | 2019 | KY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2018 Q4 |
| 2018-10-15 | 2012 | WV | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2020 Q4 |
| 2018-09-27 | 2013 | IL | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2018-09-18 | 2011 | OH | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2019 Q4 |
| 2018-08-15 | 2011 | AR | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-08-11 | 2015 | FL | 1 | 0 | Engine and Cooling System | 2020 Q3 |
| 2018-07-14 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2018-06-18 | 2014 | DE | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-05-25 | 2011 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-05-11 | 2016 | FL | 1 | 2 | No System/Component Specified | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-04-26 | 2012 | GA | 1 | 0 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-02-27 | 2017 | AZ | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-01-25 | 2016 | KY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Engine and Cooling System | 2018 Q3 |
| 2017-12-30 | 2016 | MO | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2018 Q4 |
| 2017-12-04 | 2017 | TX | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2017 Q4 |
| 2017-09-30 | 2015 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Service Brake System | 2017 Q4 |
| 2017-08-13 | 2012 | LA | 1 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2018 Q4 |
| 2017-08-04 | 2017 | SC | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2017 Q3 |
| 2017-07-14 | 2011 | TX | 1 | 0 | Structure · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2018 Q1 |
| 2017-07-08 | 2017 | IL | 2 | 0 | Seat Belts | 2019 Q3 |
| 2017-03-18 | 2013 | CA | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2017 Q2 |
| 2016-12-29 | 2016 | FL | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control | 2017 Q1 |
| 2016-12-17 | 2012 | TX | 0 | 1 | Seats · Structure · Seat Belts | 2017 Q2 |
| 2016-10-23 | 2016 | SC | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2018 Q4 |
| 2016-10-20 | 2016 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q4 |
| 2016-08-27 | 2011 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q3 |
| 2016-08-02 | 2015 | FL | 0 | 1 | Wheels · Tires | 2018 Q1 |
| 2016-07-18 | 2012 | MS | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2016 Q3 |
| 2016-05-15 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2016 Q2 |
| 2015-11-04 | 2015 | SC | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q4 |
| 2015-09-11 | 2013 | NY | 0 | 3 | Seat Belts | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-08-25 | 2015 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2015-07-23 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-07-15 | 2010 | VA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-06-15 | 2011 | WI | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q2 |
| 2015-02-16 | 2013 | TX | 0 | 1 | Seats · Structure · Seat Belts · Air Bags · Engine and Cooling System | 2015 Q1 |
| 2015-02-03 | 2010 | IN | 0 | 3 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| 2015-01-10 | 2014 | IA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| 2014-08-22 | 2011 | NY | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control | 2014 Q3 |
| 2014-07-16 | 2013 | NV | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q3 |
| 2014-07-11 | 2012 | PR | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q4 |
| 2014-04-09 | 2013 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2014 Q2 |
| 2014-01-06 | 2011 | MO | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Air Bags | 2014 Q1 |
| 2013-10-26 | 2014 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-10-24 | 2010 | NY | 0 | 1 | Exterior Lighting | 2014 Q2 |
| 2013-09-22 | 2010 | TX | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2015 Q4 |
| 2013-09-22 | 2010 | TX | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2014 Q2 |
| 2013-09-10 | 2011 | GA | 0 | 1 | Seats · Air Bags | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-08-31 | 2012 | OH | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-08-09 | 2012 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-07-28 | 2012 | CA | 1 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2014 Q1 |
| 2013-07-23 | 2012 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-06-16 | 2012 | FL | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2015 Q3 |
| 2013-05-17 | 2011 | DE | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2013 Q2 |
| 2013-04-27 | 2013 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q2 |
| 2013-03-11 | 2011 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q1 |
| 2012-11-29 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q4 |
| 2012-11-24 | 2012 | AZ | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2012 Q4 |
| 2012-10-24 | 2010 | VA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q4 |
| 2012-04-23 | 2010 | FL | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2012 Q2 |
| 2012-01-27 | 2010 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q1 |
| 2011-11-15 | 2011 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q4 |
| 2011-11-08 | 2011 | NE | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2011 Q4 |
| 2011-08-09 | 2011 | IL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2011 Q3 |
| 2011-06-25 | 2010 | PA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2011 Q3 |
| 2011-06-18 | 2011 | GA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2011 Q3 |
| 2011-06-08 | 2011 | FL | 0 | 1 | Seats · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2012 Q2 |
| 2011-04-11 | 2010 | TX | 1 | 0 | Seat Belts | 2012 Q3 |
| 2011-03-21 | 2010 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q3 |
| 2010-12-24 | 2010 | FL | 0 | 3 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2011 Q1 |
| 2010-11-07 | 2010 | PA | 0 | 1 | Tires · Latch · Structure · Exterior Lighting · Power Train | 2010 Q4 |
| 2010-08-25 | 2010 | IL | 0 | 3 | Air Bags | 2010 Q3 |
| 2010-04-11 | 2010 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2010 Q2 |
Each row above is a claim or notice Kia received alleging a death or injury in a Kia Forte and reported to NHTSA as 49 CFR 579.21 requires; NHTSA does not verify it, and a Forte that sold more will have more rows. All Kia models · What these reports are, and are not.