2012-2013 MY RIO and 2014-2015 MY FORTE / FORTE KOUP
DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY
KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION
Q&A
OCTOBER 14, 2020
Q.1

Why is Kia extending the warranty on the driver’s front airbag clock spring
assembly?

A.1

Kia Motors America’s highest commitment is to your safety. This warranty extension
addresses failures of the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly as reported by some
vehicle owners. The clock spring is an electrical connection, which rotates with the steering
wheel to maintain proper functioning of the airbag unit. Kia’s system is designed to illuminate
the airbag warning light when electrical resistance increases, which can be contributed to by
usage patterns and environmental conditions. Illumination of the airbag warning light advises
the driver to have the system inspected and repaired. If the vehicle continues to be used
without repair, the driver’s airbag may eventually not deploy in a frontal impact.

Q.2

What is the term of the warranty extension on the driver’s front airbag clock spring
assembly?

A.2

Kia is extending the warranty coverage for the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly to
15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of first service.

Q.3

What vehicles are covered under the terms of this warranty extension?

A.3

2012-2013 MY Rio vehicles manufactured from June 21, 2011 through October 11, 2013 and
2014-2015 MY Forte/Forte Koup vehicles manufactured from November 7, 2012 through April
10, 2015.

Q.4

Does this warranty extension also extend the warranty on other vehicle
components?

A.4

No. This warranty extension is limited to the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly and
does not alter the limitations and exclusions contained in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Q.5

What should vehicle owners do when they receive the warranty extension notice?

A.5

Owners should:
•

CHECK THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. It is easy to check the airbag system. Start the
vehicle’s engine, and observe the airbag warning light on the instrument panel. The location
of the airbag warning light is further described in the Airbag section of your Owner’s Manual.
The airbag light should illuminate for 6 seconds while the control unit is being checked. The
light should cease to illuminate and remain off while operating the vehicle.
o

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operates
AIRBAG SYSTEM FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. If the airbag warning light
as described above, the vehicle owner does not need to contact any Kia dealer.
However, the vehicle owner should place this letter in the glove compartment as a
record of the extended warranty this letter provides.
AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. If the airbag warning light
remains illuminated after the engine has been on for more than 6 seconds, or if
the light never illuminates, contact an authorized Kia dealer to schedule a system
diagnosis to determine if the clock spring requires replacement. The vehicle owner
will not be charged for this diagnosis, regardless of the condition causing the
light to illuminate.

WTY017

Q.6

The airbag warning light is illuminated. Does this warranty extension cover the cost
of having the vehicle diagnosed by a Kia dealer?

A.6

Yes. If, at any time within the extended warranty period, the airbag warning light remains
illuminated, or if the airbag warning light never illuminates at startup, the Kia dealership will
diagnose the cause at no cost to the vehicle owner.
If the diagnosis indicates the airbag warning light is illuminated as the result of clock spring
concerns, Kia will replace the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly at no cost.

Q.7

What happens if the illumination of the airbag warning light is due to an issue
unrelated to the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly?

A.7

If another issue exists with the airbag system, the vehicle owner will be advised of that
condition and of the expense of the repair needed to correct the condition as those repairs will
not be covered by this warranty extension.

Q.8

Does the warranty extension apply to used vehicles?

A.8

Yes, provided the vehicle falls within the parameters of this warranty extension (15 years from
the date the vehicle was first put into service by the original vehicle owner).

Q.9

If a customer has an immediate question, where can they get further information?

A.9

The customer can contact their local dealer or call Kia’s Consumer Assistance
Center at 1-800-333-4542 (Monday through Friday, 5AM to 6PM, Pacific Standard Time), or
through the owner’s section of www.kia.com.

Q.10

What about customers who may have already paid to have the driver’s front airbag
clock spring assembly repaired?

A.10

Owners who have incurred expense to remedy this issue prior to the date of this notice may
have the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for that expense by submitting their receipts
online to Kia via the Owners section of www.kia.com; or by mailing the Request for
Reimbursement Form along with their documentation directly to Kia for review and
consideration at the following address:
Consumer Assistance Center
Kia Motors America, Inc.
P.O. Box 52410
Irvine, CA 92619-2410
1-800-333-4KIA (4542)

WTY017