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
232 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Nov 11, 2021
In June 2021 my air bag light came on. Called the dealership to have them check it out. Said they would get back with me to have it checked. 2-3 days later I was driving and hit a pothole air bags deployed while driving busted windshield driver and passenger side airbags deployed. Busted windshield and broke both seatbelts cannot pull out or be safe driving it Kia of America.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be serviced under the recall. The vehicle was repaired however, the air bag light remained illuminated. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would contact the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
Engine, Jun 6, 2021
Randomly the car refused to accelerate, rpms would not go past 3k. It happened it different time points of a drive. There was never any check engine light. Mechanic drove the vehicle and ran a check on it and said with out a warning light there isn’t much I can do. Suggested replace crank shaft sensor. There was no change to the point the entire car died while driving up hill with no shoulder and a very large truck behind. My children would be dead right now if there had been another vehicle in the lane next to me I was able to barely to get the cat into. The car started back up after 30 mins. Was looked at again, informed it could have something to do with the engine tick, still no warning lights. The car stalls, jerks like a misfire and had refused to keep a stable speed while on the interstate
Engine, Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 10 mph and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted without further failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 111,407.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 12, 2021
PULLING OUT DRIVE WAY GOING TO THE LEFT FELT LIKE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP AND DOES IT QUITE A BIT. ALSO NTB IN CLEVELAND, TN SAID THERE WAS LOTS WRONG WITH UNDER NEATH , ALSO IT STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S RUNNING AFTER BEING CUT OFF. AND IT HAS A RIM THAT IS CRACKED AND WHEN I GOT IT I THOUGHT IT NEEDED TIRES CAUSE I HAD TO AIR TIRE EVERY DAY OR SO BUT NOW IT'S MORE THAN A FEW TIMES DAILY AND I JUST LEARNED HOW UNSAFE THAT IS TO BE DRIVING FOR MY KIDS AND I BUT FOR OTHERS AS WELL
Engine, May 10, 2021
VEHICLE HAS BEEN KNOCKING SINCE THE DAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE OVER. WAS TOLD THAT KIA ALWAYS SAID ITS NORMAL BUT ITS CLEAR THAT IT IS A ROD KNOCK AND THAT THADA ENGINES HAD THIS PROBLEM. IM AFRAID IF THE ROD LETS LOOSE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Service brakes, Engine, May 2, 2021
THESE VEHICLES ARE ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS! I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR 15 YEARS WITH A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS AND ASE'S. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIMPLE MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING. I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF IN THE DANGER OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IF SOMETHING WERE TO BREAK WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RESULTS COULD BE DEVASTATING! I'VE CONTACTED KIA MANY TIMES REGARDING THIS MATTER YET I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT KNOCKING HIS NORMAL THEY CALL IT A PING. I TOLD THEM I USE 91 OCTANE EVERY TIME I FILL SO THERE'S NO WAY OF PINGING FROM PRE DETONATION. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES ARE ALWAYS DONE EARLY. AFTER BEING TOLD MANY TIMES THAT THE KIA 2010 IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL I HAVE TAKEN MY OWN ACTION TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. UPON TEARDOWN I HAVE DISCOVERED ROD BEARING DAMAGE AND A OIL PAN FULL OF MINOR FLAKES FROM ROD MATERIAL. DUE TO ME KEEPING RPM SLOW I WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE ROD BEARINGS WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS BUT WHO KNOWS ON THIS MOTOR. I JUST WORRY ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE NORMALLY AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A MOTOR FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE FROM A ROD BREAKING THROUGH THE BLOCK. I SURE HOPE KIA DOES SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!
Steering, Suspension, Engine, Mar 30, 2021
MY KIA WAS JUS FINE DRIVING DOWN TO MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE WHICH IS AN HOUR N HALF WHERE I LIVE. WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A KNOCKING SOUND CAME ON SLIGHT NOISE. I KEPT AN EYE ON THE NOISE AND VEHICLE. WHEN WE STOPPED I CHECKED ALL THE LIQUIDS AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF SOME THINGS THEN ON OUR WAY HOME IT WAS SOUNDING HORRIBLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, OIL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT. SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I DID NOT WANT TO RISK ANYTHING WORSE, BUT HONESTLY I THINK IT IS THE WORSE FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR WHEN THERE IS NO LEAKS AND ALL FLUIDS ARE FULL.
Engine, Mar 22, 2021
JUST AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR USED WITH 73,349 MILES ON THE ODOMETER ON 7/31/2014 THERE WAS A SLIGHT KNOCK IN THE ENGINE, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THE PROBLEM THAT LED TO RECALLS ON LATER YEARS MODELS WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINES, SO I THINK THE PROBLEM STARTED EARLIER. SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY (SOLD AS IS) ON A USED CAR THE DEALER TOLD US REPAIRS WOULD COST MORE THAN JUST REPLACING THE ENGINE, SO I HAD TO PAY $3,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I COMPLAINED TO BOTH THE DEALER (FAIRFAX KIA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESOLUTION.
Engine, Mar 22, 2021
THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 88,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING TICKING NOISE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS THE ENGINE AND IT NEEDS REPLACED. THEY ALSO SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THESE ENGINES. SAID IT WASN'T WORTH THE COST TO REPLACE. I'M SO ANGRY CAUSE THE CAR STILL SHOULD HAVE ALOT OF LIFE LEFT IN IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND THIS IS A FAULTY BECAUSE OF KIA!!
Engine, Mar 16, 2021
MY CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM KIA OF CLARKSVILLE. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A TICK I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. AT 88,000 MILES MY CAR LOCKED UP. JUST DRIVING UP A SMALL HILL IT STARTED KNOCKING LOUD AND LOST POWER. TOOK IT TO KIA THEY WANT 6000.00 TO REPAIR IT WITH A JUNK YARD MOTOR. HOW DO THEY SELL FAULTY ENGINES AND GET AWAY WITH IT. I TOOK GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND OIL CHANGES WHEN DUE. I'M SO UPSET THAT AS A CONSUMER WE HAVE NO PROTECTION AGAINST THIS.
Air bags, Seats, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 19, 2021, crash
THE 2010 KIA WAS TRAVELING ON A RURAL STATE HIGHWAY WITH AT A SPEED THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET. WHEN COMING OVER A HILL THE CAR LEAVES THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WAY, THE DRIVER OVER CORRECTS SPINNING THE CAR, IT TRAVELS 180-200'FEET BACKWARDS, LEAVES THE ROAD WAY SND SIDE IMPACT A TREE. MY 14'YEAR OLD WAS WEARING A SAFETY DEVICE AT THE TIME SHE WAS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHICH IS WHERE THE IMPACT OCCURRED SHE WAS FOUND . SHE WAS PRONOUNED AT THE SCENE . SHE WAS FOUND STILL IN THE SAFETY DEVICE HER BOTTOM HALF WAS SOMEWHAT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER THE DASH AND HER TOP HALF STILL BUCKLED IN WAS FOUND OVER INTO THE DRIVER SEAT/FLOORBOARD. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING THE SEATBELTS ON THIS PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER THE CRASH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION HOWEVER I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION ON WHETHER HER SEATBELT ACTUALLY LOCKED AS IT SHOULD HAVE AS I STATED SHE WAS STILL BUCKLED IN WHEN I FOUND HER THEY CUT THE SEATBELT OFF OF HER BUT I THINK THAT'S JUST A STANDARD PRACTICE I WILL BE RECEIVING CRASH REPORTS HOWEVER THOSE ARE NOT FINISHED YET.
Engine, Jan 2, 2021
THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS. I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT CATCH FIRE.
Engine, Dec 18, 2020
TOOK CARE OF THE CAR AND MY MOTOR HAS RECENTLY GONE OUT. LOST POWER GOING UP HILL AND HAD A BAD TICKING NOISE I PULLED OFF AN EXIT AND IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING BROKE IN THE MOTOR. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
Engine, Dec 7, 2020
THIS ENGINE HAS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM OF TICKING COMING FROM THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE, AND ISSUES WITH OIL INCLUDING BURNING OIL. I PERSONALLY HAVE EXPERIENCED BOTH DESPITE MANY EFFORTS TO TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MANY OTHER DRIVERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD THESE SAME ISSUES WHICH HAVE LED TO SCORING IN THE CYLINDERS AND COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. I MYSELF AM ALSO VERY CLOSE TO ENGINE FAILURE. MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN UNDERLYING ISSUE(S) CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS IN THE THETA II ENGINES. MANY PEOPLE IN CANADA HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINE REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS.
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.
Air bags, Oct 25, 2020
MY 2010 KIA FORTE HAS 62,751 MILES ON IT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN I AM DRIVING. I WAS PARKED IN MY CARPORT AND STARTED THE CAR TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE TO PICK UP MY MAIL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AS USUAL BUT THIS TIME IT STAYED ON (SOLID) AND REMAINS THAT WAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AIR BAGS FOR 2010 KIA FORTES BUT MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ALONE WITH LIMITED FUNDS AND HAVE NO CHOICE, I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND AM CONSTANTLY IN FEAR OF LOSING MY LIFE OR BEING SEVERELY INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THAT ALONE IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF OTHER 2010 KIA FORTE'S WERE INCLUDED, WHY MINE WAS NOT. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO THE REPAIR CAN BE MADE BY THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT A CHARGE TO ME, WHICH WILL ALLOW ME TO QUIT LIVING IN FEAR AND BE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY.
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.
Engine, Sep 15, 2020
I HAD A MILD ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE FOR A SEVERAL WEEKS, BUT JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STRUGGLING TO SHIFT GEARS AND GO. I PULLED OVER AND HEARD TERRIBLE ROD KNOCKING AND ENGINE CLANKING NOISES. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TO CALL MY FATHER AND ASK IF HE THOUGHT I COULD MAKE IT HOME, AND I AGREED TO ATTEMPT IT. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE ROD KNOCKING WAS WORSE THAN BEFORE, IT MADE A VERY LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATED, AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHIN MINUTES, IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION.
Steering, Sep 3, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED STEERING WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE AND GET STUCK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.I FELT VERY UNSAFE ON THE INTERSTATE AS I WOULD JERK THE WHEEL TO GET THE WHEEL TO UNSTICK.I PUT MY HAND UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN AND GOT BROWN OIL ON MY HAND.I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AS I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS THE COUPLING IN THE STEERING BOX .THEY SAID IT COULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE STEERING COULD LOCK UP IF THE MOTOR SHOULD FAIL .
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2020
AFTER I GOT MY CAR IN 2015, I NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD STOP WORKING AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THE ISSUE HAS CONSISTENTLY GOTTEN WORSE AND HAPPENS MORE OFTEN. RECENTLY, WE'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AND EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN WE AREN'T USING CRUISE CONTROL, THIS ALSO HAPPENS. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED US TO BE IN ACCIDENTS. WE'VE ALMOST BEEN T-BONE NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE WE LOSE ACCELERATION WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION.
Structure, Sep 2, 2020
ONE DAY, DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE IN 2017. MY HUSBAND ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. WHILE GOING 60MPH, THE DOOR OPENED. AFTER THAT, THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.. WE TOOK IT UPON OURSELVES TO TRY TO FIX IT, AND WERE ABLE TO FIX THE MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS US TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, BUT IT STILL WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Engine, Aug 27, 2020
MOTOR HAS BEEN MAKING PECKING SOUND FOR PERIOD OF TIME. AS GOING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY IT DIED IN THE ROAD. FINALLY GOT IT TO CRANK ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD BUT IT'S MAKING A LOUDER KNOCKING SOUND.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 26, 2020
WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY VEHICLE STALLS AND HESITATES TO INCREASE SPEED. BEFORE PICKING UP SPEED, IT JERKS FORWARD BEFORE GRADUALLY GETTING FASTER.
Engine, May 3, 2020
SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING