YearToAvoid

2010 Kia Forte Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 23 brake-related complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte, 11% of that year's 218 total complaints, with 3 crashes and 1 injury reported. A related recall (23V652000) covers 2010-2013 Forte models for a brake component, with owners advised to park outside pending repair. Median failure mileage sits at 73,500.

Brakes complaints
23
11% of 218
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
73,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Rear brake lights fail to activate when the brake pedal is pressed, sometimes tied to a faulty stop lamp switch.
  • Vehicle continues rolling forward on an incline after braking, with brakes not responding until contact with another vehicle.
  • Rear brake calipers stick and overheat, ruining pads and rotors, reported by one owner as happening twice within a few years.
  • Rear brakes reported to seize suddenly at low speed with no diagnosis found by the dealer.
  • Traction control and ESC warning lights stay on together with brake light failure, sometimes linked to a common electrical fault.

When 2010 Kia Forte brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 12, 2012, latest Apr 21, 2026.

2010 Kia Forte brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2012Oct 2013Aug 2015Mar 2018Sep 2019Oct 2020May 2023Apr 2026
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2012 to Apr 2026; peak Nov 2019 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2010 Kia Forte

  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.

Brakes complaints by Forte model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201023 (11%)
  2. 201132 (21%)
  3. 201253 (18%)
  4. 201337 (19%)
  5. 201433 (7%)
  6. 201517 (7%)
  7. 201613 (10%)
  8. 201712 (4%)
  9. 20184 (3%)
  10. 20194 (3%)
  11. 20202 (3%)
  12. 20212 (3%)
  13. 20222 (7%)
  14. 20233 (5%)
  15. 20242 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Kia Forte?
NHTSA lists 23 brake-related complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte, which is 11% of the 218 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2010 Kia Forte?
Yes. Recall campaign 23V652000, reported in 2023, covers the brakes on 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup models, among other Kia vehicles. Owners are told to park outside and away from structures until the repair is done.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2010 Kia Forte?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2010 Kia Forte is 73,500 miles.
Have brake problems on the 2010 Kia Forte caused crashes?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 1 injury linked to brake complaints on the 2010 Kia Forte, with no fires reported.
What kind of brake issues do 2010 Kia Forte owners report?
Owners describe non-working brake lights, brakes that don't respond on inclines, seized rear brakes, and rear calipers that stick and overheat.

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.