10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,909 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Kia Forte electrical problems

electrical problem

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2010 Kia Forte Owner Comments

problem #18

Jul 212023

Forte

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is an ongoing issue with the MAP sensor that triggers a check engine light as well as the RPMS to fluctuate. This can happen when disconnecting the battery and/or replacing the MAP sensor. I replaced the MAP sensor and still get this ongoing issue. This is a safety concern because due to the RPMs constantly fluctuating, the car jolts forward when driving which could possibly result to the car hitting another vehicle in front of it. But the only way to get it to stop / get the check engine light to turn off, is to drive it for x amount of miles until it fixes itself. This problem has been inspected by Kia themselves and they did not give any information to me about the issue. This issue seems to happen any time I get the vehicle serviced.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #17

Mar 262021

Forte

  • miles
hi, i have a standing issue with my 2010 kia forte sx 2.4l the engine developed this knock that has totally incapacitated the car so it cannot be driven. every mechanic ive been to says that the engine is done and needs to be replaced. ive checked for recalls and i found hundreds of consumers with the same exact problem where these 2.4l engines developed a crippling knock. Has this establishment recieved any complaints and if so what is being done to relieve the consumer who has no where to turn and is stuck with a car they cant use and is being ignored by KIA COORPORATION and every one else. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thank You

- Charlotte Amalie, VI, USA

problem #16

Dec 062020

Forte

  • 212,435 miles
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.

- Crowley, TX, USA

problem #15

Oct 142020

Forte

  • 45,142 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module is failing, causing traction control and ABS to turn off. Dealership diagnosis is that moisture probably got in it causing the issue and the unit needs to be replaced. Kia has recalls in place for this same unit on their 2006-2010 sedona and 2007-2009 sorento vehicles (recall number 20V088000, recall date 02/14/2020), but not for the 2010 Kia Forte. Sounds like the same issue. Luckily we are getting it replaced before an accident occurred, but others may not be as fortunate. New replacement part is currently not available, so having to replace it with a used one that could possibly develop the same issue.

- Oregon, WI, USA

problem #14

Apr 182018

Forte

  • miles
My car interior lights have been going out intermittently for over a year now, and my stereo bluetooth system is totally out as well. My signal lights intermittently go out. Signaling is a big issue because if people don't know I am coming over it could cause an accident. Also, as a result of my hands free capabilities being gone I am forced to wait for important communications at times because my commute is long.

- Oxon Hill, MD, USA

problem #13

Oct 022019

Forte

  • 176,389 miles
2010 Kia Forte ex has electric problem while driving headlight shut off and electrical system tries to shut off. Put almost $1000 into this at the garage and still no result. This is a safety issue as I seen several other complaints about the headlights. Why wait till someone gets hurt or even worse. But then again we'll you know.

- South Fork, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 162019

Forte

  • 81,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the horn failed to operate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to joe myers Kia (located at 16484 northwest fwy, houston, tx 77040, (713) 587-9940) to be diagnosed, but the contact was unaware of the results. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 81,400.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 292017

Forte

  • 105,000 miles
Hello, I am currently having issues with my 2010 Kia Forte. The vehicle has been struggling to accelerate and soon eventually began to feel as if it were going to stall out all together every time I stepped on the gas. The check engine light came on and after diagnosing the code, it read P0336 (crankshaft position sensor a circuit range/performance). After some research I found that apparently there is a recall on these engines for what appears to be the same issue I am currently having. I looked up my vehicles VIN on this website and was notified that there is not currently an open recall even though I had just read that hundreds of thousands of vehicles of the same make and engine type (theta 2) were being recalled for crankshaft issues. Would like to have my car checked out via recall measures. The safety of my family is in question due to these known issues.

- Barksdale Afb, LA, USA

problem #10

Feb 222017

Forte

  • 31,000 miles
I am writing this letter to provide you notice of unresolved defects in my 2010 Kia Forte ex, Kia case no. K3395476. Please see attached file titled, "harvey nhsta summary of events" for complete nature of the complaint as I ran out of characters.

- West Carrollton, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 182012

Forte

  • 46,000 miles
The vehicle during warmer months after starting and being turned off must be jumped stated to start. The vehicle has been towed to the dealer 10 times and the vehicle has had the front electrical harness replaced. The problem ceased for 8 months and has now returned. The dealer now says the cable connecting the battery is failing causing it to overheat. I feel this is a electrical hazard which will one day result in a fire

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #8

Jul 072014

Forte

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while refueling, fuel would spew back out of the filler neck without warning. The contact also mentioned that there was an internal electrical malfunction which caused a loss of power from the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the canister purge valve and the battery. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection and diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #7

May 062015

Forte

  • 80,000 miles
Notice in the last couple of weeks my 2010 Kia Forte ex, door locks open by itself either while in motion on not in motion. It seems to happen when the car is hot from driving a few miles also the ignition switch is hot to touch I mean really hot!!! and this lock and unlock problem went on for about 25 to 30miles

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #6

Jan 072015

Forte 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Car was idling in parking lot when a burning smell was noticed. Thought it was something outside until noticed steam coming from top of hood. Shut car off and released hood. Got out of car to look and flames and black smoke were coming from the front of the car. Front tires blew out, windshield melted, front bumper and radiator gone. Headliner in car started burning. 911 was called to put out fire. Car is a total loss.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #5

Jul 182012

Forte 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
The car while driving, through rain or recently rained on roads going through large unavoidable puddles, causes water to splash up on the serpentine drive belt causing it to slip, 15-20mph when it seems to happen. This causes an electrical issue where the battery light comes on and the power steering goes out making the car difficult to steer and could be quite dangerous at higher speeds should it happen. I have never had this issue with another car. A removable plate should be fixed to the bottom side under the engine compartment to prevent this.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #4

Jun 142014

Forte

  • miles
Horn did not work when I tried honking to the other driver. We got backed into because the horn would not work therefore was involved in an accident. I recently noticed that whenever the alarm system would not work, the horn would not work either. I tried having a mechanic look into but could not determine the cause.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 182014

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving through a reduced speed zone of 35 mph and went to set my cruise control, about 3-5 seconds later I felt the car go dead. I lost power steering and all electrical systems. My indicator lights were on and flickering and I had no control over the vehicle other than waning off to the side of the road to get out of the way of traffic. Once my car came to a stop I proceeded to turn off the ignition. I tried starting it and the engine turned a couple of times but went dead so I turned it off. I tried one more time to start the ignition and was only barely able to get the engine to start and maintain. I went off on my way and later on my way home I stopped to get food and when I got back in my car I tried starting it and it struggled to start. I have only had my car for 1.5 years and only in the past couple months experienced problems with my cruise control not activating and setting to my current speed.

- Towson, MD, USA

problem #2

Jan 082013

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
Starting about a year ago, the headlights on my car (low beam) started to regularly burn out about every month or two. I finally brought it into the dealership to find out what was going on and was told that there was a ground problem in both the wiring harnesses for the headlights. (the same issue in both ?? ) this has to be a safety defect as it has caused me to be driving at night when both of them burned out at the same time. With the same defect being in two different parts on the same car, I have a hard time believing this is not a general problem especially after talking to people in the dealership having similar problems..

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 302013

Forte

  • 30,000 miles
I was driving home from work and a man flagged me down at a red light to let me know that none of my brake lights were working. I have also noticed the cruise control as well as traction control buttons not working properly. There doesn't seem to be any issue with the fuses. If I can not find a fix to this problem it may result in myself getting rear ended.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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