Model year
2010 Kia Forte
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 221 complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 11 complaints under FORTE KOUP. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (74), AIR BAGS (40), POWER TRAIN (21). NHTSA lists 3 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,250–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 221 complaints
- 2011 154 complaints
- 2012 292 complaints
- 2013 195 complaints
- 2014 444 complaints
- 2015 260 complaints
- 2016 136 complaints
- 2017 305 complaints
- 2018 136 complaints
- 2019 149 complaints
- 2020 78 complaints
- 2021 69 complaints
- 2022 28 complaints
- 2023 65 complaints
- 2024 26 complaints
Recalls
23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE 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…
18V363000 · Jun 1, 2018
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…
13V114000 · Apr 1, 2013
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.…
Complaints
221 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 21, fire flag on 4, injury field 14, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| FORTE KOUP | 2 | 11 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE18003 | Air bags may be disabled during crash · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR… | Mar 16, 2018 | Aug 30, 2019 |
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
| AQ23002 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Nov 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte · 2L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Forte · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte · 2.4L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Forte · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 32 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2010 Kia Forte at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.