Makes›Kia›Forte›2010

2010 Kia Forte

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Kia Forte
Pictured: 2016 Kia Forte Koup EX in Silky Silver, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan LX/EX, 4dr Sedan Sx, Koup EX 2dr Coupe, Koup Sx 2dr Coupe
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
30 combined · 27 city / 36 hwy
Length
176.4–178.3 in
Curb weight
2,707–2,859 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 27% better than the average 2010 compact car (23.6 MPG).

Watch out for

  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Kia Forte is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 178 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,707 lb (4dr Sedan LX/EX).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (27 city / 36 highway), 27% better than the 2010 compact car average of 23.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan LX/EX178.3 in70.1 in57.5 in104.3 in61.4 / 61.4 in2,707 lb62/38
4dr Sedan Sx178.3 in70.1 in57.5 in104.3 in61.4 / 61.4 in2,853 lb62/38
Koup EX 2dr Coupe176.4 in69.7 in55.1 in104.3 in61 / 60.6 in2,716 lb63/37
Koup Sx 2dr Coupe176.4 in69.7 in55.1 in104.3 in61 / 60.6 in2,859 lb63/37

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forte2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30+27%$2,250296
Forte2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28+19%$2,400317
Forte2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28+19%$2,400317
Forte2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26+10%$2,600342
Forte2.4L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26+10%$2,600342
Save $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.6 MPG2010 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Kia Forte under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Kia Forte (this car)30 MPGNot rated3
2010 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated15
2010 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated8
2010 Nissan GT-R17 MPGNot rated0
2010 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated10
2010 Mazda 328 MPGNot rated0
2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI32 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (3)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Sep 25, 2023 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jun 1, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V363000 · 507,587 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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 install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles

Problem
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, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk
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 movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Kia Forte is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

165Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
14Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
10Injuries reported
100,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine74
Air Bags34
Electrical System15
Power Train14
Service Brakes12
Exterior Lighting11
Unknown Or Other11
Seat Belts8
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/11: 223/01: 223/02: 123/05: 423/07: 223/09: 323/10: 223/11: 224/01: 124/02: 224/03: 124/05: 124/07: 124/08: 125/01: 125/03: 425/06: 125/07: 125/08: 325/09: 125/10: 126/02: 126/04: 326/06: 122/1123/0523/1024/0224/0725/0325/0826/02max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Kia Forte buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Engine — 74 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Air Bags — 34 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Forte. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Forte years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2024 Forte34182.7 in★★★★★026
2023 Forte34182.7 in★★★★★366
2022 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★128
2021 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★269
2020 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★078
2019 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★2150
2018 Forte32179.5 in★★★★★3136
2017 Forte32179.5 inNot rated3305
2016 Forte30179.5 inNot rated1138
2015 Forte30179.5 inNot rated1259
2014 Forte29179.5 inNot rated3421
2013 Forte30178.3 inNot rated5197

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →