NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Kia Forte; the most frequently affected component is service brakes, hydraulic — control unit/module. Owners filed 232 complaints, most often about engine. 1 recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Among the 15 model years of this model in the database, 2010 ranks #3 for number of recalls.
Service brakes, hydraulic — Control unit/moduleCampaign 23V652000 · 25 Sep 2023
Park outside — fire risk
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags — Air bag/restraint control moduleCampaign 18V363000 · 01 Jun 2018
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Engine24 · 60%
Power train7 · 18%
Exterior lighting6 · 15%
Air bags5 · 12%
Service brakes4 · 10%
Forward collision avoidance2 · 5%
Engine and engine cooling2 · 5%
Electrical system2 · 5%
When complaints were filed
202316
20247
202512
20265
From owner complaints
kia already has a recall on the 2.0 litre Theta engines due to rod bearing failures due to improper machining of the engine blocks, resulting in metal filings blocking oil passages in the bottom end of the engine resulting in the significant risk of a fire or catastrophic engine failure usually at highway speed which…
179000 miles owner was driving and heard a knocking sound. He is an independent mechanic and put it in the shop to diagnose. While inspecting oil was within normal operating range and not yet due for an oil change. Low end rod knock. Changed oil to inspect for debris and found light flakes of bearing material.…
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving or while idling, he heard a loud knocking sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings were faulty. The dealer was not…
Car repeatedly has leaks and knocking engine sound, 5 repairs no resolve. Told different solutions paid for repairs. Engine noise still continues. Took in at 149,000. Why isnt there a recall on the engine?
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.