Model year guide

2010 Kia Forte

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2010 Kia Forte is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 294 on record.

2010 Kia Forte at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints231
Combined28 mpg
Typical price$5,962

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2010 Kia Forte recalls 3

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module NHTSA Campaign #18V363000 · 01/06/2018

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.

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 i…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #13V114000 · 01/04/2013

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, …

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #23V652000 · 25/09/2023

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.

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, …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2010 Kia Forte common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2010 Kia Forte safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2010 Kia Forte 4-DR. w/SAB (Early release). Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2010 Kia Forte MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,230

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2010 Kia Forte worth?

Low
$3,600
Typical price
$5,962
High
$8,100

From 294 comparable 2010 Kia Forte listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Kia Forte costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,150
Fuel only$11,150
Per mile$0.15

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2010 Kia Forte trims & engines on record

Trims
EX · LX · SX · Koup EX · Koup SX · GLS · HGS · GL
Engines
2.0L · 2.4L

2010 Kia Forte vehicles on record

2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A23A5222152 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A27A5243523 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A27A5227757 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A27A5164546 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A29A5242423 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte LXKNAFT4A20A5061567 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte LXKNAFT4A26A5065686 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte Koup EXKNAFU6A25A5227378 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A21A5296380 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte LXKNAFT4A27A5848855 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A2XA5141908 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte Koup SXKNAFW6A35A5179657 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A26A5828397 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A21A5199924 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A23A5298146 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A25A5243469 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte SXKNAFW4A34A5137582 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A20A5858351 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte SXKNAFW4A30A5195351 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A26A5880760 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A25A5834689 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A26A5149455 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A25A5079687 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte EXKNAFU4A25A5065059

Other Kia Forte model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

2010 Kia Forte — frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Kia Forte have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2010 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Forte?

Based on 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, power train.

What is the 2010 Kia Forte safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2010 Kia Forte crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Forte get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2010 Kia Forte at about 28 mpg combined (24 city / 33 highway).

How much is a 2010 Kia Forte worth?

Comparable 2010 Kia Forte listings run roughly $3,600–$8,100, typically around $5,962 (from 294 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.