VehicleVerdict

2010 Kia Forte Koup problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2010 Kia Forte Koup carries two red flags at once: 17 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.8× the Forte Koup norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Forte Koup years to avoid.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Forte Koup years?

Forte Koup NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted22 complaints2010: 17 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 22 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 0 complaints
Forte Koup NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forte Koup years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Kia Forte Koup problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine635%
Seat Belts212%
Electrical System16%
Fuel System16%
Lighting16%
Other16%
Speed Control16%
Body & Structure16%
Airbags16%
Tires & Wheels16%
Brakes16%

Does the 2010 Kia Forte Koup have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

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 electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

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 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

18V363000AirbagsJune 1, 2018 · 507,587 units

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 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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

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 by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAD A 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE 5/29/18 WHILE GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES/HR. BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN, THERE WAS SOME KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER WENT OUT, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2018 · fire

“THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY ROLL BACK INTO THE DOOR FRAME OF THE CAR AFTER TAKING THEM OFF. YOU HAVE TO JERK THE BELT UP AND DOWN CLOSE TO TWENTY TIMES TO GET THEM TO RETRACT. ALSO, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T FUNCTION LIKE NORMAL. IT ONLY WORKS ONCE IN A WHILE. I HAVE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 2, 2018

“I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 77 IN CHARLOTTE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING, MY WHEEL HAD A STRUCTURAL FAILURE. I RETRACED MY ROUTE AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROUTE (I.E. MAJOR OBSTACLE). REGARDLESS, THIS FAILURE IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE RUN OVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 3, 2019

“MY SEAT BELT DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE WHICH MAKES IT HARD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND VERY UNSAFE. AS WELL AS, MY LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DO NOT TURN OFF THEY ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED ONCE STARTING THE CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ELECTRICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 27, 2018

“MY SEAT BELT DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE WHICH MAKES IT HARD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND VERY UNSAFE. AS WELL AS, MY LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DO NOT TURN OFF THEY ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED ONCE STARTING THE CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ELECTRICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 27, 2018

2010 Kia Forte Koup — common questions

Is the 2010 Kia Forte Koup reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 17 complaints put the 2010 model at #2 of 8 Forte Koup years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Forte Koup years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Forte Koup problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints), speed control (1 complaints).

Does the 2010 Kia Forte Koup have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Kia Forte Koup. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Kia Forte Koup under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Kia Forte Koup years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forte Koup years to avoid are 2013, 2010, 2012, 2011. The cleanest record among Forte Koup years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.