Every 2010 Kia Forte recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V363000
Jan 6, 2018Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Full recall details for 18V363000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 13V114000
Jan 4, 2013Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Full recall details for 13V114000 →
2010 Kia Forte complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 232 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Forte, reporting 21 crashes, 5 fires, 14 injuries, 1 deaths. Kia has issued at least 83 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine80
- Air Bags43
- Tires24
- Power Train23
- Electrical System22
- Service Brakes18
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (41)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (33)
- Power Train (23)
- Equipment (22)
- Structure (18)
- Steering (14)
Read Kia Forte owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2010 Kia Forte
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Air bags may be disabled during crash
PE18003Opened Mar 16, 2018Closed Aug 30, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 232 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Forte. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reported
“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.”
2010 KIA FORTEApr 20, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11732338
Fire
“I HAD A 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE 5/29/18 WHILE GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES/HR. BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN, THERE WAS SOME KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER WENT OUT, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.”
2010 KIA FORTE KOUPNov 13, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11151192
Injury reportedCrash
“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.”
2010 KIA FORTESep 25, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11689708
“THESE VEHICLES ARE ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS! I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR 15 YEARS WITH A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS AND ASE'S. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIMPLE MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING.”
2010 KIA FORTE KOUPMay 2, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11414806
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while stopped at the traffic light, a tractor-trailer crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained back pain.”
2010 KIA FORTEJun 24, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11668959
Check your Forte by VIN
Not every 2010 Kia Forte is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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