2010 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 232 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 21 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 14 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
20 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 29, 2026
My car wasnt getting enough power and it just died while driving it on the interstate to go home.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2023
There is an ongoing issue with the MAP sensor that triggers a check engine light as well as the RPMS to fluctuate. This can happen when disconnecting the battery and/or replacing the MAP sensor. I replaced the MAP sensor and still get this ongoing issue. This is a safety concern because due to the RPMs constantly fluctuating, the car jolts forward when driving which could possibly result to the car hitting another vehicle in front of it. But the only way to get it to stop / get the check engine light to turn off, is to drive it for x amount of miles until it fixes itself. This problem has been inspected by Kia themselves and they did not give any information to me about the issue. This issue seems to happen any time I get the vehicle serviced.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2022
hi, i have a standing issue with my 2010 kia forte sx 2.4l the engine developed this knock that has totally incapacitated the car so it cannot be driven. every mechanic ive been to says that the engine is done and needs to be replaced. ive checked for recalls and i found hundreds of consumers with the same exact problem where these 2.4l engines developed a crippling knock. Has this establishment recieved any complaints and if so what is being done to relieve the consumer who has no where to turn and is stuck with a car they cant use and is being ignored by KIA COORPORATION and every one else. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thank You
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 6, 2020, crash
MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT DOESN'T WORK/ASIC IS DAMAGED. TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE KEEPS LEAKING FLUID THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A CRASH.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 14, 2020
HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE IS FAILING, CAUSING TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS TO TURN OFF. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS IS THAT MOISTURE PROBABLY GOT IN IT CAUSING THE ISSUE AND THE UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. KIA HAS RECALLS IN PLACE FOR THIS SAME UNIT ON THEIR 2006-2010 SEDONA AND 2007-2009 SORENTO VEHICLES (RECALL NUMBER 20V088000, RECALL DATE 02/14/2020), BUT NOT FOR THE 2010 KIA FORTE. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE. LUCKILY WE ARE GETTING IT REPLACED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE. NEW REPLACEMENT PART IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE, SO HAVING TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ONE THAT COULD POSSIBLY DEVELOP THE SAME ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2020
MY CAR INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, AND MY STEREO BLUETOOTH SYSTEM IS TOTALLY OUT AS WELL. MY SIGNAL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT. SIGNALING IS A BIG ISSUE BECAUSE IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I AM COMING OVER IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, AS A RESULT OF MY HANDS FREE CAPABILITIES BEING GONE I AM FORCED TO WAIT FOR IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS AT TIMES BECAUSE MY COMMUTE IS LONG.
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2019
2010 KIA FORTE EX HAS ELECTRIC PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHT SHUT OFF AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TRIES TO SHUT OFF. PUT ALMOST $1000 INTO THIS AT THE GARAGE AND STILL NO RESULT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I SEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS . WHY WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR EVEN WORSE. BUT THEN AGAIN WE'LL YOU KNOW .
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE MYERS KIA (LOCATED AT 16484 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77040, (713) 587-9940) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,400.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Apr 27, 2018
MY SEAT BELT DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE WHICH MAKES IT HARD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND VERY UNSAFE. AS WELL AS, MY LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DO NOT TURN OFF THEY ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED ONCE STARTING THE CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALSO MY BRAKES SOMETIMES WON'T COME UP OFF THE FLOOR OR WILL STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION EVEN WHILE BEING PRESSED. THIS IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 3, 2018
HELLO, I AM CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2010 KIA FORTE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO ACCELERATE AND SOON EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO FEEL AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL OUT ALL TOGETHER EVERY TIME I STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER DIAGNOSING THE CODE, IT READ P0336 (CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR A CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE). AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE ENGINES FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE I AM CURRENTLY HAVING. I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLES VIN ON THIS WEBSITE AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY AN OPEN RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST READ THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND ENGINE TYPE (THETA 2) WERE BEING RECALLED FOR CRANKSHAFT ISSUES. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR CHECKED OUT VIA RECALL MEASURES. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS IN QUESTION DUE TO THESE KNOWN ISSUES.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2017
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO PROVIDE YOU NOTICE OF UNRESOLVED DEFECTS IN MY 2010 KIA FORTE EX, KIA CASE NO. K3395476. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FILE TITLED, "HARVEY NHSTA SUMMARY OF EVENTS" FOR COMPLETE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT AS I RAN OUT OF CHARACTERS.
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2015
THE VEHICLE DURING WARMER MONTHS AFTER STARTING AND BEING TURNED OFF MUST BE JUMPED STATED TO START. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER 10 TIMES AND THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT ELECTRICAL HARNESS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CEASED FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAS NOW RETURNED. THE DEALER NOW SAYS THE CABLE CONNECTING THE BATTERY IS FAILING CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. I FEEL THIS IS A ELECTRICAL HAZARD WHICH WILL ONE DAY RESULT IN A FIRE
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL WOULD SPEW BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE AND THE BATTERY. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, May 11, 2015
NOTICE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY 2010 KIA FORTE EX , DOOR LOCKS OPEN BY ITSELF EITHER WHILE IN MOTION ON NOT IN MOTION. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS HOT FROM DRIVING A FEW MILES ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH IS HOT TO TOUCH I MEAN REALLY HOT!!! AND THIS LOCK AND UNLOCK PROBLEM WENT ON FOR ABOUT 25 TO 30MILES
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2015, fire
CAR WAS IDLING IN PARKING LOT WHEN A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING OUTSIDE UNTIL NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM TOP OF HOOD. SHUT CAR OFF AND RELEASED HOOD. GOT OUT OF CAR TO LOOK AND FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT, WINDSHIELD MELTED, FRONT BUMPER AND RADIATOR GONE. HEADLINER IN CAR STARTED BURNING. 911 WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT FIRE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 8, 2014
THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, THROUGH RAIN OR RECENTLY RAINED ON ROADS GOING THROUGH LARGE UNAVOIDABLE PUDDLES, CAUSES WATER TO SPLASH UP ON THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAUSING IT TO SLIP, 15-20MPH WHEN IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN. THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHERE THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STEER AND COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS AT HIGHER SPEEDS SHOULD IT HAPPEN. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANOTHER CAR. A REMOVABLE PLATE SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE BOTTOM SIDE UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO PREVENT THIS. *JS
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2014, crash
HORN DID NOT WORK WHEN I TRIED HONKING TO THE OTHER DRIVER. WE GOT BACKED INTO BECAUSE THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK THEREFORE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK, THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I TRIED HAVING A MECHANIC LOOK INTO BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 18, 2014
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A REDUCED SPEED ZONE OF 35 MPH AND WENT TO SET MY CRUISE CONTROL, ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS LATER I FELT THE CAR GO DEAD. I LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. MY INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON AND FLICKERING AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN WANING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. ONCE MY CAR CAME TO A STOP I PROCEEDED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. I TRIED STARTING IT AND THE ENGINE TURNED A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT WENT DEAD SO I TURNED IT OFF. I TRIED ONE MORE TIME TO START THE IGNITION AND WAS ONLY BARELY ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE TO START AND MAINTAIN. I WENT OFF ON MY WAY AND LATER ON MY WAY HOME I STOPPED TO GET FOOD AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR I TRIED STARTING IT AND IT STRUGGLED TO START. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND ONLY IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT ACTIVATING AND SETTING TO MY CURRENT SPEED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2014
STARTING ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR (LOW BEAM) STARTED TO REGULARLY BURN OUT ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR TWO. I FINALLY BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A GROUND PROBLEM IN BOTH THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. (THE SAME ISSUE IN BOTH ?? ) THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT AS IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN BOTH OF THEM BURNED OUT AT THE SAME TIME. WITH THE SAME DEFECT BEING IN TWO DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE SAME CAR, I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS IS NOT A GENERAL PROBLEM ESPECIALLY AFTER TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE DEALERSHIP HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS.. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2013
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND A MAN FLAGGED ME DOWN AT A RED LIGHT TO LET ME KNOW THAT NONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL AS TRACTION CONTROL BUTTONS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY ISSUE WITH THE FUSES. IF I CAN NOT FIND A FIX TO THIS PROBLEM IT MAY RESULT IN MYSELF GETTING REAR ENDED. *TR