Research · Compact Cars

2010 Kia ForteRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 232 owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte. Most complaints involve engine (80) and air bags (42). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2023
Owner complaints
232
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideRemedy pending

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 25, 2023NHTSA 23V652000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 1, 2018NHTSA 18V363000

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V114000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

232 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2009 – Jun 2026
  1. Engine80
  2. Air bags42
  3. Power train23
  4. Tires23
  5. Electrical system20
  6. Service brakes18
  7. Wheels18
  8. Exterior lighting16
  9. Seat belts11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forte model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010232
2011162
2012293
2013195
2014444
2015262
20165
2017305
2018136
2019150
202078
202169
202228
202366
202426
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

80 reports1 crash4 fires
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte with a five-speed transmission. The contact received notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000(Air Bags) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics), as well as other manufacturer recalls. The contact made an appointment at a dealer and had the vehicle serviced for the recalls. The contact had to make a second appointment as not all parts were available for the initial appointment. After the contact's second appointment, all recall services were performed, and she was informed that a five-point inspection was also performed on the vehicle. Upon leaving the dealer, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle's clutch failed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to downshift the vehicle and was forced to use her emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact sustained severe emotional distress as a result of the failure, as it nearly resulted in an accident. With the assistance of a fellow motorist, the vehicle was towed to her home since the dealer was closed. The contact later called the dealer and had the vehicle towed back to the dealer. Once the vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11732338

Air bags

42 reports17 crashes
“On August 22nd 2025 my daughter was driving this vehicle and was in a car accident and her front air bags did not deploy. Her passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger but nothing in the front and it was a front collision. Upon receipt of the Paperwork from Copart we learned there was an active recall from 2018 for the front airbags possibly not deploying and resulting in injury during a collision, which is what happened. Her knee and ribs were injured from hitting the steering wheel. The car was declared a total loss from insurance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11689708

Power train

23 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a dealer for several recall repairs, and repair under Manufacturer Recall Number: SC165A. After the recall repairs were performed, while driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway with the clutch engaged and the vehicle in gear, the vehicle started jerking and unexpectedly decelerated. The contact moved over to the side of the road, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was first towed to the residence and then to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the contact was advised by the dealer that the failure was due to normal wear and tear. However, the contact believed that the failure was caused by the recall repair under Manufacturer Recall Number: SC165A. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026Power trainODI 11732354
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forte
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,000296
Forte
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,150317
Forte
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,150317
Forte
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,300342
Forte
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,300342
  • Forte
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Kia Forte as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 5750Vehicle 5749
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Forte questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Forte have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Kia Forte problems?

Owners filed 232 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (80), air bags (42), power train (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Kia Forte get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Kia Forte at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026