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

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan LX/EX | 178.3 in | 70.1 in | 57.5 in | 104.3 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 2,707 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr Sedan Sx | 178.3 in | 70.1 in | 57.5 in | 104.3 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 2,853 lb | 62/38 |
| Koup EX 2dr Coupe | 176.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.1 in | 104.3 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 2,716 lb | 63/37 |
| Koup Sx 2dr Coupe | 176.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.1 in | 104.3 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 2,859 lb | 63/37 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 36 / 30 | +27% | $2,250 | 296 |
| Forte | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | +19% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Forte | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | +19% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Forte | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +10% | $2,600 | 342 |
| Forte | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 32 / 26 | +10% | $2,600 | 342 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Kia Forte (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | 30 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2010 Honda Civic | 42 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2010 Nissan GT-R | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Toyota Prius | 50 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2010 Mazda 3 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (3)
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.
Not every 2010 Kia Forte is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Kia Forte buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- 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.
- Engine — 74 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 34 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 26 |
| 2023 Forte | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 66 |
| 2022 Forte | 35 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2021 Forte | 35 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 69 |
| 2020 Forte | 35 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 78 |
| 2019 Forte | 35 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 150 |
| 2018 Forte | 32 | 179.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 136 |
| 2017 Forte | 32 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 305 |
| 2016 Forte | 30 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 138 |
| 2015 Forte | 30 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 259 |
| 2014 Forte | 29 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 421 |
| 2013 Forte | 30 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 197 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →