Kia Forte Complaints (2010)

221 consumer complaints on file.

#11747096June 29, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car wasnt getting enough power and it just died while driving it on the interstate to go home.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732807April 21, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
My check engine light came on and I got it checked out and had a c1053 code show up. The repair shop told me I had a recall but my car is 2010 so it’s not falling within the recall year range.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732338April 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte with a five-speed transmission. The contact received notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000(Air Bags) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics), as well as other manufacturer recalls. The contact made an appointment at a dealer and had the vehicle serviced for the recalls. The contact had to make a second appointment as not all parts were available for the initial appointment. After the contact's second appointment, all recall services were performed, and she was informed that a five-point inspection was also performed on the vehicle. Upon leaving the dealer, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle's clutch failed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to downshift the vehicle and was forced to use her emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact sustained severe emotional distress as a result of the failure, as it nearly resulted in an accident. With the assistance of a fellow motorist, the vehicle was towed to her home since the dealer was closed. The contact later called the dealer and had the vehicle towed back to the dealer. Once the vehicle was inspected, the contact was informed that the cabin filter and two front tires needed to be replaced; the contact was also informed that she would need a wheel alignment. The contact declined the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the dealer's possession. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11732354April 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a dealer for several recall repairs, and repair under Manufacturer Recall Number: SC165A. After the recall repairs were performed, while driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway with the clutch engaged and the vehicle in gear, the vehicle started jerking and unexpectedly decelerated. The contact moved over to the side of the road, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was first towed to the residence and then to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the contact was advised by the dealer that the failure was due to normal wear and tear. However, the contact believed that the failure was caused by the recall repair under Manufacturer Recall Number: SC165A. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716928February 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Never received a notice on vehicle having a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695571October 25, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION
Knocking in engine, loss of power, rod bearings needs replacing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689708September 25, 2025
AIR BAGS
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. The car was declared a total loss from insurance.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11681624August 19, 2025
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
the air bag light is on, the cruise control stop working around the same time, the light came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679697August 10, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
No Accident just routine maintenance finds that are concerning me . The car is 15 yrs old but over the years have had to replace the brake light bulb harness several times The brake light bulbs get too hot thus melting the bulb receptacle causing the brake lights not to illuminate. Have had vehicles come up behind me several times way too close for comfort because brake lights not working .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679089August 7, 2025
AIR BAGS
Air bag light turned on June 2025. Could not be reset. Had local shop read the code. Driver's side air bag, likely clock spring. Brought it to the dealership after a month wait for appointment. It was confirmed that it was the Clock Spring and replaced. This is not a wear part. Research shows a very common issue with other kia and hyundai makes and models of a similar age that were actively recalled.. Kia declined and will not reimburse due to not having a recall for my specific make, model, and year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674999July 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Car won't not shift out ot drive when driving to Any other gears. Will not go into reverse or park.. shifting cable broke. Needs replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668959June 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
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: 18V363000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer would reschedule each appointment attempt. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,100.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11648638March 17, 2025
ENGINE
I got a car from coparts and they told me nothing was wrong! I recently bought the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648317March 14, 2025
ENGINE
Known engine problem with bottom end knocking sounds. Potential risk of fire or wreck caused by engine failure. Engine condition is an ongoing issue. Dealerships and manufacture refuse to honor recall because last recall hasn't been addressed and the title is rebuilt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646292March 4, 2025
ENGINE
Unknown. Vehicle serviced since 2010. Oil changes based on recommend miles. Only 80,000 miles. Wife [XXX] only uses it mostly for store runs. Since recently inspection and oil change motor has a loud knocking at start up and gets quiet shortly after but while idling you can here a ticking noise. We have all paper work to maintenance. Fear if my wife is stranded or worse and thought I would report this. I will take it in to see what is said. Doesn't seem normal for only 80,000 and well maintained INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646303March 4, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights have become very yellow and cracking formed on them. This effects evening /night time driving and you see ads to purchase cleaners that I have tried and it has done nothing. Not sure why this has not been remedied or made a recall to replace these as defective materials or what one can do to solve this with positive results or recommendations people can do with out equipment. This seems to be a big problem with a lot of vehicles mine included. Thx you for listening and thought I would report this issue as another safety concern
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634184January 5, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake light switch outage keeps happening
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608141August 13, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Was driving at slow rate of speed <30 MPH, the car started having a really loud knocking sound coming from the engine and then lost all power. Had car towed to local garage and was informed that the rod bearing had been broken and the engine needed to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604365July 24, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
My car was sitting in the driveway went out of park. I was able to get it stopped and pull emergency brake before any crash occurred. I seen that the brake switch was on recall and thought I should see if I can get it fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586990May 4, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Brake lights are consistently blowing out especially the right brake light. I have replaced the bulb at least a dozen times in the past 2 years. Also the signal lights are going out as well. There is something faulty going on with the connection that I think needs to be recalled. After a quick search on YouTube I realized that I’m not the only person this has happened to. Kia needs to have a recall to fix this issue because I can’t keep spending money on bulb replacements. Today on May 4, 2024 the brake lights weren’t working and when I went replace them they were blown on both sides. And the one on the right the actual bulb glass came off and I noticed that the plastic where the bulb connection locks in at was melted a little and the connector had slight burn marks. The bulb itself won’t stay on without me pushing the bulb in when I connect it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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