The Lemon Index2010 Kia Forte.
The 2010 Kia Forte is better than average by owner complaints: 49 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 65, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 26 to 30 mpg combined. The best Kia Forte year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 232 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Forte year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 34K to 110K miles on the car (160 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 66K–130K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 31K–104K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 6K–104K miles
Recalls 3
- brakes 2023
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- airbags 2018
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.
- lights 2013
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Pcm upgrade-shift hesitation and shift delay improvement with 2.0l and 4 speed a/t (sa020)
- Driveshaft housing and transaxle oil seal inspection and replacement (sa011)
- On some vehicles with 4 speed, information is providing for upgrading transmission control…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedAir bags may be disabled during crash2018–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Driving on highway at 60 mph and passenger front tire sidewall completely separated from tire. Original tires when vehicle purchased. Only 11,000 miles on tire; goodyear eagle ls 2.
2010 Kia Forte owner · NHTSA complaint 10386626
More owner reports
Owned car for 1 day on day 2 driving down road and tire blows out. Garage refused to warranty tire w/o completely inspecting tire.
NHTSA complaint 10295290
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Kia Forte reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 65; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Forte year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2010 Kia Forte problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (31%), wheels (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Forte have?
3 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Forte get?
26 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Kia Forte problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 34,900 and 110,800 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 160 complaints.
Does the 2010 Kia Forte have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Kia Forte cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Kia Forte have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Kia Forte year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works