Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2010 Kia Forte Electrical system Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
9%of 221 total for the year
Median mileage
65,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Kia Forte, 9% of the 221 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2010 Kia Forte ex has electric problem while driving headlight shut off and electrical system tries to shut off. Put almost $1000 into this at the garage and still no result. This is a safety issue as I seen several other complaints about the headlights . Why wait till someone gets hurt or even worse. But then again we'll you know .”

NHTSA complaint #11278537, filed 2019-11, 176,389 miles

“Notice in the last couple of weeks my 2010 Kia Forte ex , door locks open by itself either while in motion on not in motion. It seems to happen when the car is hot from driving a few miles also the ignition switch is hot to touch I mean really hot!!! And this lock and unlock problem went on for about 25 to 30miles”

NHTSA complaint #10715625, filed 2015-05, 80,000 miles

“I was driving home from work and a man flagged me down at a red light to let me know that none of my brake lights were working. I have also noticed the cruise control as well as traction control buttons not working properly. There doesn't seem to be any issue with the fuses. If I can not find a fix to this problem it may result in myself getting rear ended.”

NHTSA complaint #10532871, filed 2013-07, 30,000 miles

“Hello, I am currently having issues with my 2010 Kia Forte. The vehicle has been struggling to accelerate and soon eventually began to feel as if it were going to stall out all together every time I stepped on the gas. The check engine light came on and after diagnosing the code, it read p0336 (crankshaft position sensor a circuit range/performance). After some research I found that apparently there is a recall on these engines for what appears to be the same issue I am currently having. …”

NHTSA complaint #11058381, filed 2018-01, 105,000 miles

“I was driving through a reduced speed zone of 35 MPH and went to set my cruise control, about 3-5 seconds later I felt the car go dead. I lost power steering and all electrical systems. My indicator lights were on and flickering and I had no control over the vehicle other than waning off to the side of the road to get out of the way of traffic. Once my car came to a stop I proceeded to turn off the ignition. I tried starting it and the engine turned a couple of times but went dead so I turned it off. …”

NHTSA complaint #10604406, filed 2014-06, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024623%
20231117%
2022311%
2021812%
20201114%
20192315%
20181612%
20174715%
20162216%
20152911%
20145713%
20132513%
20123211%
20111610%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2010 Kia Forte

Engine
74 complaintsAir bags
41 complaintsTires
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsWheels
17 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology