There are 4 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2023 Kia Niroin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I am filing a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Niro and Safety Recall SC332. The recall involves a damaged floor wiring assembly that may prevent proper airbag and seat belt deployment, creating a serious safety risk. I scheduled and brought my vehicle to Cowboy Kia, Conroe on Feb 2,2026 specifically to have this recall repaired, but the dealership did not complete the recall service and returned the vehicle without fixing the issue or providing a clear explanation. This is a manufacturer-issued safety recall and should be addressed promptly at no cost. I am requesting immediate repair and an explanation for the failure to perform the recall work.
My dashboard screen has turned off completely 3 different times in the 14 months I have had the vehicle. It is normally off for several days at a time. When it is off, I have no access to my speed, gas, or any other controls shown on that display. When I run the KIa diagnostic tool, it tells me there is an issue with my airbags. Kia has a recall for this issue but refuses to apply the recall (software update) to my vehicle because it was manufactured 19 days before the recall period. I have photos and videos that I have shared with Kia Corporate every time it happens. Below is the reply from Kia Corporate "Dear [XXX] , Thank you for your inquire. We apologize the service campaign in reference is not related to customers vehicle. If we release a Service Campaign also known as a Safety recall, the customer with the affected vehicle will receive a letter in the mail. This campaign is for Niro thats production date is between September 14, 2022 to March 8, 2023, customers vehicle production date is [XXX]. If you are still having concerns customer is welcome to take the vehicle to an alternate Kia Dealer for a second opinion. Sincerely, [XXX] Phone | [XXX] Kia America" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the crash the front driver side air bag, the driver's side curtain airbag and driver's side lower leg air bags all deployed as intended but the she sustained severe flesh wounds to both lower legs due to the airbags deploying. The contact was transported to the local trauma center and required multiple surgeries and skin grafts due to the injuries sustained from the airbag deployment. A police report was taken at the scene. During the crash the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but the manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was concern that the injuries were caused by metal fragments from the air bags deploying. The failure mileage was 200.
I was in a very light two-car collision on 08-09-2023. Both cars had little to no damages, just very minute scratches that are very hard to see. But two of the airbags on my KIA Niro (front and knee) deployed suddenly, causing me to black out for a couple of minutes and later have a concussion, and the bottom airbag caused a bruise and consistent knee pain to this day. My car is at a Kia Service facility and has been for the past 3 weeks and we haven’t gotten any information from them as to what the problem was. I visited this facility to get some answers and I stated that I think this car has a problem with the airbags, a Kia employee responded with “do not tell that to your insurance”. I have called and called to get answers and they say they don’t know are are trying to figure out why the airbags deployed. Everyone I have spoken to (police officer and paramedics at time of collision, claim adjustor, third-party mechanic etc) all think it’s very strange that the airbags deployed. I have read that KIA currently has airbag recalls on some models and I’m suspecting that my car could also be affected by this. The car is at a Kia facility where it CAN be inspected.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026