2010 Kia Forte

◆ Worse than typical

2010 Kia Forte
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2010: 221 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2009	1
2010	221
2011	152
2012	289
2013	195
2014	437
2015	257
2016	130
2017	300
2018	134
2019	145
2020	71
2021	67
2022	25
2023	56
2024	22

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 33%

33% of complaints: engine — 74 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FLAMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180911

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

On August 22nd 2025 my daughter was driving this vehicle and was in a car accident and her front air bags did not deploy. Her passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger but nothing in the front and it was a front collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250925

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while stopped at the traffic light, a tractor-trailer crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250624

KIA AIRBAG RECALLGOOD DAY, MY VEHICLE (2010 KIA, FORTE) WHICH WAS TOTALED IN REAR-ENDED CAR ACCIDENT (WHILE WAITING AT STOP-LIGHT ON A CITY STREET) FROM A DISTRACTED DRIVER THAT TOOK PLACE ON 11/1/2011.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180613

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte with a five-speed transmission.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260420

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

TIRES 8%

8% of complaints: tires — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2010 — complaint volume: 221

R 20130419 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: 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

Campaign 13V114000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180316 — PE (closed 20190830)

Air bags may be disabled during crash

R 20180928 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V363000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed