KnownCarProblems2010 Kia Forte Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 221 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Forte, most often about the engine (37% of complaints, typically around 94,500 miles). It is 5th of 16 Forte model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2010 Kia Forte problems
Engine
81 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I have Kia Forte which was running fine. Until I change the starter then the oil was pumping to the engine it would knock loudly & if I would any longer it would blow the engine.
Update to claim 11277949 Kia dealer claims shifter bushing and the transmission switch. Strange that such a dangerous was treated with more concern. 5 more seconds of that malfunction and I would have wounded or killed a innocent pedestrian
Air bags
41 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte ex. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, she attempted to avoid crashing into an animal and crashed into a tree. The contact sustained a head trauma and injuries to the knee. A police report was filed of the incident. The seat belt retractor failed to secure and…
I was sitting at a stop sign waiting to make a left hand turn when an SUV heading north made a left hand turn onto the street I was on in front of another SUV, the SUV making the left turn was broadsided by the other SUV and then thrown into the front of my car, my car was then thrown into the SUV behind me. None of…
Wheels and tires
28 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve.
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the low pressure tire warning light illuminated. The contact added air to tires and the problem was resolved. The failure recurred and the side passenger rear tire was constantly loosing air. The vehicle was taken to dealer however the contact did not receive…
The TPMS on three tires have corroded and caused loss of tire pressure. This has lead to having to replace all three sensors. When this sensor corrodes, you cannot add any air to the tire for a temp fix until it is repaired and you are forced to drive on the spare tire. This repair runs around $200 at the local Kia…
Transmission
23 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Our 2010 Kia Forte ex lost 90% of power repeatedly (rpms drop to idle, regardless of throttle position) at speeds from 0-35mph. This is not the first occurrence, but I think it is the same problem. This is very dangerous if you are making a left turn and you lose acceleration, you can be in the way of oncoming traffic…
Vehicle failed to start. Had vehicle towed to garage who stated that it was a problem with timing chain and should be covered under warranty. Had vehicle re-towed to dealership who stated that it was a bad timing chain and that it was not covered under warranty. This is not a belt, but a chain. The timing chain should…
Brakes
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles.
While driving from my kids pediatrician office. I noticed the traction control stayed off and would not turn on. That affected my brake lights. I noticed that same part is put as a recall for the sorento and soul but not for the Forte. If it is the same recall the Forte should be included. For the vehicle being only…
Left rear caliper stuck at 73,000 miles around 7/3/15, overheating and ruining the pad and rotor. Right rear caliper stuck at 111,500 miles around 9/20/18, overheating and ruining the pad and rotor. While one did not occur in this case, a stuck caliper is a fire risk and twice in three years seems too frequent for…
Electrical
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
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…
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…
Lights
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
Front turn signal bulbs keep quit working, this appears to be a poor design on the bulb socket to headlamp housing connection, both sides have had this issue multiple times, if you remove the socket and reinstall it they start working again, there is no corrosion present. This should be investigated as it creates a…
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving and while at a complete stop, she noticed an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the third brake light assembly had melted. The mechanic replaced…
Steering
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
When the steering turns every time, it makes a clicking noise. After the clicking noise started happening, I often hear metal to metal contact noise from the steering wheel when I drive on bumpy roads. The problem is caused by the faulty steering coupling inside of the steering motor. Although the 2010 elantra which…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Kia Forte recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 depressi
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. Odi reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (my) 2011 hyundai sonata, my 2012-2013 kia forte and forte koup vehicles. Odi also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, zf-trw (zf), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (acu) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai motor america (hma) issued recall no. 18v-137 for my 2011-2013 sonata and my 2012 sonata hybrid vehicles. Kia motors america (kma) issued re
Questions about the 2010 Kia Forte
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Forte?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (81 complaints, typically around 94,500 miles); air bags (41 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); wheels and tires (28 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Forte have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Kia Forte?
- It is 5th of 16 Forte model years by number of complaints, with 221 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.