10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,675 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Kia Forte Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Nov 032019

Forte

  • 94,000 miles

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

Update to claim 11277949 Kia dealer claims shifter bushing and the transmission switch. Strange that such a dangerous was treated with more concern. 5 more seconds of that malfunction and I would have wounded or killed a innocent pedestrian

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #26

Nov 032019

Forte

  • 93,000 miles
Car did not stop when placed in park, shifters gets stuck. When placing the car in reverse park, the car moved forward instead of reverse, not stoping, had to push the brake pedal and the emergency brake as the car was moving forward ( while on reverse) kept moving fwd at approximately 5 miles without pressing the fas pedal. Had to stop by using emergency brake. Turned off the car took it to the dealer. When placing the car in reverse the car kept moving dangerously forward

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 012019

Forte

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. While driving at low speeds, a noise was detected coming from the engine and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that one of the engine lifters was the cause of the abnormal tapping noise and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Newcomerstown, OH, USA

problem #24

May 122019

Forte

  • 227,376 miles

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

🚗 car caught on 🔥 fire while driving on I 285..

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #23

Jun 042019

Forte

  • 85,000 miles
My engine had 85,000 miles on it and I regularly did oil changes and the engine blew randomly and costs over $5,000 to replace. The vehicle was operating fine when I parked it on my lunch and when I came out to leave work it would no longer start.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #22

Aug 202018

Forte

  • 100,000 miles
My airbag has been on for ovr a yr. Took it to a dealer to get repaired. The light was off for 4 days and cane back on and stays on. Back again. And still had to pay another diag. Fee. But they said it was fixed. Now my car sounds really loud...knocking thats annoying. Everytime I start my car and drive it makes that noise. Just found out. Its an airbag module that wasnt covered in the recall. Why cldnt they find that at 1st. Smh. Very disappointed in Kia. Going to a different mfg...like Toyota

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #21

Dec 272018

Forte

  • 86,000 miles

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

Knocking in engine noticed white starting and driving. Check engine light illuminated leaving oil change at 86K miles (12/27/2018). Moments later, vehicle wouldn't go above 60mph entering highway. All lights illuminated on the dash, pulled over on ramp and turn vehicle off. Vehicle wouldn't start and was towed to mechanic. Mechanic got vehicle to start and heard knocking. Identified coming from the engine and vehicle was turned off. Mechanic advised vehicle to be towed to dealer due to recent engine recalls. Vehicle was towed to the dealer and is pending diagnostic. I am not the original owner and the "10 year/100,000 mile" warranty does not apply to me. Hopefully they are honest and honor the repair/replacement.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #20

Mar 292019

Forte

  • miles
Since ive bought my car its had a ticking/knocking noise coming from the engine. Really loud in the morning and it used to go away after driving now its consistently making noise. Ive been to numerous mechanics and all say that its normal for these engines. The noise keeps getting louder and I only have 118,200 miles on this car. The car is in excellent shape and I baby it. Besides some minor scratches it looks and runs brand new besides the [xxx] knocking sound. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #19

Jun 012016

Forte

  • 51,173 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. While the vehicle was being driven, the contact heard an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to evergreen Kia (located at 9205 S western ave, Chicago, il 60643, (800) 671-8069) where it was diagnosed that there were signs of piston slap and cylinder wall damage. There were also metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 51,173.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #18

Feb 222019

Forte

  • 110,000 miles
The engine is failing. Just over 100,000 miles and has bearing failure with rod knock. I have read story after story about these engines failing. A 2010 needs to be recalled and repaired the same as 2011. Same engine, same procedures. The car is useless now. Can't sell, trade, or drive.

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #17

Feb 042019

Forte

  • 113,000 miles

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

2010 Kia Forte; 113,000 miles. Check engine light came on. Code read '3rd engine bank sensors.' Dealership diagnosed the problem as 'knocking rods coming apart inside the engine.' The dealership currently has two Kia Fortes in the shop with the same mileage and problem. Seems like a pattern.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #16

Sep 262018

Forte

  • 50,000 miles
My engine started making a loud clicking sound when I started the car and continued as I drove, then the check engine light came on. We took it to a mechanic that same day. I spoke with 3 mechanics, all said it's a common engine problem with Kia's and they said it was spun crank on the rod bearings and it's a common issue with Kia's. I have had the car since 2010 and only have 50K miles on it. They refuse to honor their 100,000 miles 10 year warranty.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #15

Aug 012018

Forte

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owned a 2010 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 50 mph, smoke was present coming from the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, it was discovered that flames and smoke were coming from under the front of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A fire report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #14

May 312018

Forte

  • 65,576 miles
While driving car started to make knocking noises coming from engine. Last week Thursday. ( May 31, 2018) mileage at 65K. Then suddenly engine off' on its own. Did not want to start. Starter and battery was fine based on towing company staff who helped with tow. Next day had a mechanic diagnose the problem engine, he indicated the engine has locked, oil level was good but was sludgy. Had an annual oil change mid Feb 2018. I normally drive to and from work it takes about 15mins. With traffic 20mins. I stay in guam, island is quite small 18 miles wide and 31 miles long. Called dealer asked about recall for this particular problem to be told no recalls have been filed by Kia based on my vehicles VIN number. Searched the web found many complaints about this similar or same problem. A class action suit has been filed in quebec Canada on this matter for Kia Forte 2010 engine problems/locking. Hopefully I am not the only person suffering from this problem. Please help.

- Dededo, GU, USA

problem #13

Mar 162018

Forte

  • 130,000 miles
Took my Kia Forte in to the auto repair shop because the engine started making a knocking noise. I have the oil changed regularly just as it is supposed to be done, and just had it changed less than 2 weeks ago. The shop said the engine has major engine failure and that there was nothing I can do about it. They said I will have to replace the engine. I called the Kia dealership to find out about the recalls on Kia motors and they said that my engine is not on the recall list but that there are many of the same motors that are failing and I would have to call Kia Consumer Affairs to find out if maybe they will add my engine. I see nothing but where other Kia owners are having the same issue with both the 2L & 2.4L engine and Kia is being nasty about replacing them. I am very upset as my car is not part of their recall and know that it should be.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #12

Nov 012017

Forte

  • 120,000 miles
Ive been experiencing what other people on Kia forums has labeled as hard shifting since November of 2017. When I start driving the car jerks really hard in between 1-2 RPM or when it's shifting. It's not the transmission fluid and it may be the heat temp sensor but I don't know.

- Mission, KS, 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

May 172017

Forte

  • 63,001 miles
As I was exiting the highway I heard a rattling noise coming from under my hood. Then all of a sudden smoke start to come fro M under hood and out the back of the car. As that was happening I heard a loud bang then my engine shut off before I could pull over. After I was towed to a local dealership and after my car went through a diagnostic check I was told by the mechanic that my engine failed even though it was in great condition and we'll maintained.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #9

Apr 122017

Forte

  • 101,008 miles
At a stop light or stop sign. It will quit for no reason. I have to put it in park or neutral to start and continue. Plus, driving along the transmission will kick out gear for a second and then go again.

- Oneida, NY, USA

problem #8

May 102016

Forte

  • miles
I have a 2010 Kia Forte koup. It runs and drives alright besides it makes such a knock. I have heard it could be a rod knock or a spud bearing etc. Need to kno if I'm under manufacturer warrenty as I'm not the original owner. Car only has 88,000 miles on it too. Also the place I took it to see what was wrong said it would be 2 grand to fix it. How do you expect me to do that as I'm making payments on the car and only had it since April of this year.

- Eriw, PA, USA

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