What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Forte?

Engine complaints lead the list, followed by air bags, power train and tires. Owners describe stalling, air bags that did not deploy, rough shifting and tire failures.

Does the 2010 Kia Forte have recalls?

Yes. This model year has recalls on file. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

How many complaints does the 2010 Kia Forte have?

NHTSA has 232 owner complaints on file for it.

Is the 2010 Kia Forte reliable?

The record is mixed. Engine complaints are the largest group, and air bag complaints include crashes. Read the problems section and the recalls before you decide.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Kia Forte?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

2010 Kia Forte Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 232 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Kia Forte^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 87 complaints^[2].

232owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

26–30MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these groups come up most.

Engine. 87 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car stalling while driving or at a stop, a check engine light that keeps coming back, and dealers who could not find a fault.
Air Bags. 42 complaints^[5]. Owners describe crashes where the air bags did not deploy, and some report that a seatbelt did not hold them. A few describe an air bag warning light that was on when they bought the car.
Power Train. 23 complaints^[6]. Owners describe hard jerks when the car changes gears, sudden shifts, and a car that rolled a little on a sloped driveway.
Tires. 23 complaints^[7]. Owners describe blowouts, bubbles in the sidewall, uneven wear on the inside edge, and broken valve stems.
Brakes. 20 complaints^[8].
Electrical System. 20 complaints^[9].
Wheels. 18 complaints^[10].
Exterior Lighting. 16 complaints^[11].

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part^[1].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Forte is necessarily included.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (23V652), September 2023. About 1,730,192 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (18V363), June 2018. About 507,587 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[13]
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch (13V114), April 2013. About 980,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	27 / 36 / 30	$2,250
Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	25 / 34 / 28	$2,400
Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	25 / 34 / 28	$2,400
Forte, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	23 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Forte, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	22 / 32 / 26	$2,600

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR FWD^[19], 4-DR W/SAB (EARLY RELEASE) FWD^[20].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[21]	154 to 156 hp
2010 Kia Forte with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[22]	165 to 173 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
FORTE 4DR SEDAN LX/EX^[23]	178 in	70 in	57 in	104 in	2,707 lb
FORTE 4DR SEDAN SX^[24]	178 in	70 in	57 in	104 in	2,853 lb
FORTE KOUP EX 2DR COUPE^[25]	176 in	70 in	55 in	104 in	2,716 lb
FORTE KOUP SX 2DR COUPE^[26]	176 in	70 in	55 in	104 in	2,859 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forte model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2010	232	3
2011	162	3
2012	306	4
2013	211	5
2014	445	3
2015	260	1
2016	138	1
2017	305	3
2018	136	3
2019	149	2
2020	78	0
2021	69	2
2022	28	1
2023	65	3
2024	26	0

NHTSA's counts for the Forte show 232 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 15 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2024 (26) and the most are for 2014 (445)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Forte?

The 2010 Forte has a real complaint history, and the engine group stands out most^[2]. The air bag group is smaller but has the most crashes tied to it^[5]. Power train and tire complaints show up at lower mileage than engine and air bag ones^[6]^[7]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners reported and not as a score.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Forte?: Engine complaints lead the list, followed by air bags, power train and tires^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7]. Owners describe stalling, air bags that did not deploy, rough shifting and tire failures.
Does the 2010 Kia Forte have recalls?: Yes. This model year has recalls on file^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2010 Kia Forte have?: NHTSA has 232 owner complaints on file for it^[1].
Is the 2010 Kia Forte reliable?: The record is mixed. Engine complaints are the largest group^[2], and air bag complaints include crashes^[5]. Read the problems section and the recalls before you decide.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Kia Forte?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Forte

2010 this page
2012 306 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 445 complaints, 3 recalls
2015 260 complaints, 1 recall
2016 138 complaints, 1 recall
2017 305 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 136 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 149 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 78 complaints, 0 recalls
2021 69 complaints, 2 recalls
2022 28 complaints, 1 recall
2023 65 complaints, 3 recalls
2024 26 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Kia Forte

Other Kia models from 2010

2010 Kia Soul 135 complaints, 3 recalls

All Kia models

Similar cars from 2010: compact cars

2010 Dodge Challenger 299 complaints, 7 recalls
2010 Ford Focus 287 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 Honda Accord 641 complaints, 13 recalls
2010 Honda Civic 413 complaints, 8 recalls
2010 Honda Insight 119 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Hyundai Accent 87 complaints, 1 recall

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 232 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Kia Forte (21 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 14 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
87 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Forte model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
42 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,351). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,050). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,555). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,500). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V652, filed September 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V363, filed June 1, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V114, filed April 1, 2013: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Forte, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Forte, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB (EARLY RELEASE) FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 154 to 156 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Kia Forte with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 165 to 173 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE 4DR SEDAN LX/EX: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,707 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE 4DR SEDAN SX: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,853 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE KOUP EX 2DR COUPE: length 176 in, width 70 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,716 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE KOUP SX 2DR COUPE: length 176 in, width 70 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,859 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Kia Forte: problems, recalls and fuel economy