Kia built the 2010 Forte as a four-door sedan in LX, EX and SX trim, with a choice of the 2.0L or the 2.4L four-cylinder. This is the factory service and repair manual written for that model year, so the specifications and procedures are Kia's own for the 2010 car, not values carried over from an earlier or later Forte.
Engines covered
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
Trims covered
- EX
- LX
- SX
Known issues on the 2010 Forte. Two recalls are on federal record for this model year. The first, NHTSA campaign 23V652000, covers the antilock brake and traction control unit in the hydraulic brake system: an engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. The second, campaign 13V114000, covers the brake light switch, where the stop lamps can fail to illuminate during braking or the cruise control can fail to disengage. Owners have filed 314 complaints against the 2010 Forte and Kia has issued 77 technical service bulletins.
Whether you are tracing a stop-lamp or cruise control fault, inspecting the antilock brake unit, or working through a scheduled service, it keeps you on Kia's own procedure and the correct specification for your 2010 Forte.
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.
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.
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.
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 sw
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.
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.
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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102 FLIGHT #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia F
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup veh
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provid
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2102Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this b
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte & Forte Koup vehic
Showing the 8 most recent of 85 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER LEFT FOOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. TH
THE 2010 KIA WAS TRAVELING ON A RURAL STATE HIGHWAY WITH AT A SPEED THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET. WHEN COMING OVER A HILL THE CAR LEAVES THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WAY, THE DRIVER OVER CORRECTS SPINNING THE CAR, IT TRAVELS 180-200'FEET BACKWARDS, LEAVES THE ROAD WAY SND SIDE IMPACT A TREE. MY 14'YEAR OLD WAS WEARING A SAFETY DEVICE AT THE TIME SHE WAS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHICH IS WHERE THE IMPACT OCCURRED SHE WAS FOUND . SHE WAS PRONOUNED AT THE SCENE . SHE WAS FOUND STILL IN THE SAFETY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD TRAUMA AND INJURIES TO THE KNEE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO SECURE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APP
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. T
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT VERTICALLY WHEN I NEEDED TO GIVE THE CAR SOME GAS RATHER THAN JUST LIFT FOOT OFF BRAKE TO GET OUT OF SPOT. THE CAR DELAYED--WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT SHOT OUT RAPIDLY UNCONTROLLABLY OUT OF THE SPOT, SIDE SWIPING THE CAR NEXT TO ME AND GOING INTO A REVERSE FIGURE EIGHT SWERVING OVER PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT BRAKE. THE CAR ENDED UP SWERVING INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED RANGE ROVER AS I THREW MY CAR INTO PARK SINCE IT WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WAS AN
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. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was still drivable at the scene. Prior to the crash, the dealer was contacted on several occasions to schedule an appointment for NHTSA Campaign Number
KIA AIRBAG RECALLGOOD DAY, MY VEHICLE (2010 KIA, FORTE) WHICH WAS TOTALED IN REAR-ENDED CAR ACCIDENT (WHILE WAITING AT STOP-LIGHT ON A CITY STREET) FROM A DISTRACTED DRIVER THAT TOOK PLACE ON 11/1/2011. MY NECK WAS SEVERELY INJURED, WHICH REQUIRED SURGERY IN MARCH, 2012. IN FACT, I OBTAINED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSDI) IN 2013 BASED ON THAT NECK INJURY. BY THE WAY, AFTER RECEIVING RETRO SSDI, I PURCHASED A 2012 KIA FORTE AND PRESENTLY WAITING FOR MY RECALL-NOTIFICATION FOR REPAIR/FIX. I'
WAS IN ABOUT 40MPH FRONT END COLLISON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET IN 03/2015 AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT WAS WORN. HIT MY HEAD ON STEERWHEEL SO HARD WAS KNOCKED OUT AND GLASSES WHERE HIT OFF MY FACE INTO THE BACKSEAT DUE TO AIRBAG FAILURE TO DEPLOYING. HAD A CONCUSSION, BLACK EYE, WHIPLASH, BRUSES, AND SPRAINS. AMBULANCE ON SCENE, WENT TO HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK CAR. ABOUT 55,000 MILES. POLICE REPORT, INSURANCE CLAIM, EMERGENCY
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN OUR 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP, SHE WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A DOG IN THE ROADWAY WHEN SHE OVER CORRECTED AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A DITCH, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED "TOTALED", DURING THIS ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER, MY WIFE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER FOREHEAD, NOSE, AND UPPER CHEST. *TR
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN AN SUV HEADING NORTH MADE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO THE STREET I WAS ON IN FRONT OF ANOTHER SUV, THE SUV MAKING THE LEFT TURN WAS BROADSIDED BY THE OTHER SUV AND THEN THROWN INTO THE FRONT OF MY CAR, MY CAR WAS THEN THROWN INTO THE SUV BEHIND ME. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. I INJURED MY LEFT SHOULDER, MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BECAUSE THE FRONT RAILS WHERE NOT REPAIRABLE AND I HAVE LEA
2010 KIA FORTE REAR ENDED A 2012 TOYOTA VENZA WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON WET ASPHALT PAVEMENT. UPON COLLISION, THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SEAL BELT RESTRAINT FAILED TO HOLD BACK DRIVER OF THE KIA. DRIVERS FOREHEAD HIT AND BENT STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE KIA AND CONSIDERABLY LESS DAMAGE TO THE TOYOTA VENZA. KIA WAS NOT DRIVABLE, SO IT WAS TAKEN TO A SALVAGE YARD OF A FLAT BED TRUCK. DRIVER OF KIA WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS AND EVALUATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE HEAD THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,616.
MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT DOESN'T WORK/ASIC IS DAMAGED. TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE KEEPS LEAKING FLUID THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A CRASH.
WHILE COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INTO A RETAINING WALL. KIA IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING WORD FROM MY BODY SHOP AS TO IF THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED OR NOT. IF IT IS FIXABLE I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I AM SEEING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT.
AFTER BRAKING TO STOP AT RED LIGHT ON A HIGHWAY ON A HILL, KIA FORTE 2010 KEPT MOVING UPHILL AT LOW SPEED (5MPH OR LESS). BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. CAR STOPPED AFTER HITTING BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AFTER THAT, BUT CAR SOMETIMES ROCKS AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK.
Showing the 15 most serious of 232 complaints filed with NHTSA.
