RecallRepo

2010 Kia Forte Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2010 Kia Forte has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,218,156 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 317 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23V652000 2023-09-25 1,730,192 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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, 2024 through June…

AIR BAGS 18V363000 2018-06-01 507,587 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy

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 install the…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13V114000 2013-04-01 980,377 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional…

Remedy

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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE
74
1crashes3fires1injuries
AIR BAGS
40
16crashes11injuries1deaths
POWER TRAIN
21
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
19
2crashes1fires
TIRES
18
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
17
3crashes1injuries
WHEELS
17
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
14
STEERING
11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints317

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“My car wasnt getting enough power and it just died while driving it on the interstate to go home.”

ENGINE · reported 2026-06-18

“My car wasnt getting enough power and it just died while driving it on the interstate to go home.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2026-06-18

“My car wasnt getting enough power and it just died while driving it on the interstate to go home.”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-06-18

“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.”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2026-04-21

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-04-16

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2026-04-16

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-04-16

“Never received a notice on vehicle having a recall”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-02-10

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured…

Investigation DP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Investigation PE18003 Opened 2018-03-16 · closed 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2010 Kia Forte as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.