YearToAvoid

2010 Kia Forte Engine Problems

NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2010 Kia Forte, 39% of all 221 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest engine complaint count among 16 Forte model years. These complaints report 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 92,000 miles.

Engine complaints
86
39% of 221
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
92,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2010 Kia Forte engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 13, 2009, latest Jun 29, 2026.

2010 Kia Forte engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter52009 Q42013 Q42016 Q12018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12023 Q12024 Q3
86 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2021 Q1 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Kia Forte

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Forte model year

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

  1. 20091 (100%)
  2. 201086 (39%)
  3. 201157 (37%)
  4. 2012170 (58%)
  5. 2013111 (57%)
  6. 2014226 (51%)
  7. 2015163 (63%)
  8. 201677 (57%)
  9. 2017163 (54%)
  10. 201869 (51%)
  11. 201945 (31%)
  12. 202025 (33%)
  13. 202123 (34%)
  14. 20227 (26%)
  15. 202311 (18%)
  16. 20247 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Kia Forte have engine problems?
NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about the engine in the 2010 Kia Forte, 39% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 92,000 miles.
Which Kia Forte year has the most engine complaints?
The 2014 Kia Forte has the most engine complaints (226), compared with 86 for the 2010.
Is there a engine recall for the 2010 Kia Forte?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2010 Kia Forte is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.