2010 Kia Forte Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte. Part of Generation 1 — 2010–2013.

20092011
Complaints
310
per 10K Sold
45.3
US Sales
68,501
Crashes
35
Fires
4
Injuries
19
Fatalities
3
Recalls
3

Worst 2010 Kia Forte Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#172 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:101,576 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:3
#240 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:78,709 mi
Crash-related:16
#319 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:64,163 mi
Considering a 2010 Kia Forte?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 Kia Forte.

Engine Problems
72
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
101,576
Airbags
40
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
Avg Miles
78,709
Transmission / Drivetrain
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,163
Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,182
Tire Defects
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,890
Wheel Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,169
Brakes
16
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
67,835
Headlight/Taillight Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,357
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
140,155
Seat Belt Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
74,000
Unintended Acceleration
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
63,569
Electronic Stability Control
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,357
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,745
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,000
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Valve
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Kia Forte. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2010 Kia Forte

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,218,156 vehicles.

23V652000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~1,730,192 affected

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.

18V363000Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
~507,587 affected

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.

13V114000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~980,377 affected

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.

Other Kia Forte Years

2010 Kia Forte — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2010 Kia Forte reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2010 Kia Forte has 310 NHTSA complaints, 35 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 72 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2010 Kia Forte?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (72 complaints, avg 101,576 mi); Airbags (40 complaints, avg 78,709 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (19 complaints, avg 64,163 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Kia Forte?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 81,603 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2010 Kia Forte?
NHTSA complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte include 35 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 19 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2010 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,218,156 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2010 Kia Forte?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Forte reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2010 Kia Forte

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99