YearToAvoid

2010 Kia Forte Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 221 complaints, 3 recalls, and engine problems as the top issue at a median 92,000 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
67/100
#6 of 16 Forte years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
221
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
1 Park Outside
Crashes
21
reported in complaints
Fires
4
Injuries
14
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28
25 city / 34 hwy
Injuries / deaths
14 / 1

Top 2010 Kia Forte problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine86 (39%)
  2. Airbags41 (19%)
  3. Electrical System31 (14%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (14%)
  5. Brakes23 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain23 (10%)
  7. Other12 (5%)
  8. Steering11 (5%)
  9. Fuel System9 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts9 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including collisions at highway speeds where occupants were injured.
  • Some owners describe engine compartments catching fire, with smoke and flames appearing while driving or idling.
  • Electrical faults reportedly disabled the horn, contributing to a rear-end collision in one case.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or lurching forward while parking or pulling out of a spot.
  • Brakes reportedly failed to hold the car on an incline, letting it roll and strike another vehicle at low speed.
2010 Kia Forte complaints: complaints filed per quarter102009 Q32012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q22020 Q22022 Q22024 Q3
221 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2013 Q2 (10).

2010 Kia Forte recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    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. 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

    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.

    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.

    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. 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.

  3. NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

    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.

    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.

    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 may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

2010 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
34 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Forte years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009No verdict010—
2010Caution67221328
2011Avoid80153328
2012Avoid87292428

All Kia Forte years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Kia Forte reliable?
NHTSA data shows a Caution verdict for the 2010 Forte, with a complaint index of 67 and 221 complaints, ranking 6th worst among the 16 model years covered.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Forte?
Engine problems make up 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 92,000 miles, followed by airbag issues at 19% and electrical and suspension issues each at 14%.
Does the 2010 Kia Forte have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Forte covering brakes, airbags, and the electrical system, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2010 Forte compare to other Forte years?
The 2010 model's complaint index of 67 is worse than the 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 model years, which earned Good or Best verdicts, but better than the 2012, 2014, and 2017 models rated Avoid.
What crashes or injuries are linked to 2010 Forte complaints?
NHTSA data tied to the 2010 Forte shows 21 crashes, 4 fires, 14 injuries, and 1 death reported across complaint filings.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.