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EnginePart report

2010 Kia Forte Engine Problems

Complaints
74about this part
Share
33%of 221 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 74 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Kia Forte, 33% of the 221 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“Took my Kia Forte in to the auto repair shop because the engine started making a knocking noise. I have the oil changed regularly just as it is supposed to be done, and just had it changed less than 2 weeks ago. The shop said the engine has major engine failure and that there was nothing I can do about it. They said I will have to replace the engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11079951, filed 2018-03, 130,000 miles

“My car was bought brand new from Kia of clarksville. It has always had a tick I was told it was normal. At 88,000 miles my car locked up. Just driving up a small hill it started knocking loud and lost power. Took it to Kia they want 6000.00 to repair it with a junk yard motor. How do they sell faulty engines and get away with it. I took good care of my car and oil changes when due. I'm so upset that as a consumer we have no protection against this.”

NHTSA complaint #11403323, filed 2021-03, 88,000 miles

“Ive been experiencing what other people on Kia forums has labeled as hard shifting since november of 2017. When I start driving the car jerks really hard in between 1-2 RPM or when it's shifting. It's not the transmission fluid and it may be the heat temp sensor but I don't know.”

NHTSA complaint #11065484, filed 2018-01, 120,000 miles

“My engine had 85,000 miles on it and I regularly did oil changes and the engine blew randomly and costs over $5,000 to replace. The vehicle was operating fine when I parked it on my lunch and when I came out to leave work it would no longer start.”

NHTSA complaint #11219539, filed 2019-06, 85,000 miles

“My Kia was jus fine driving down to my daughters house which is an hour n half where I live. Where all of a sudden engine light came on and a knocking sound came on slight noise. I kept an eye on the noise and vehicle. When we stopped I checked all the liquids and everything was fine. We had to take care of some things then on our way home it was sounding horrible and all of a sudden the check engine light was on, oil light and battery light. So I pulled over and called to have my car towed home. …”

NHTSA complaint #11405501, filed 2021-03, 145,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024831%
2023914%
2022414%
20212232%
20202026%
20193825%
20185742%
201714548%
20166649%
201515961%
201421649%
201310755%
201216155%
20114529%
20107433%

Other parts of the 2010 Kia Forte

Air bags
41 complaintsTires
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsElectrical system
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 28, 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