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2010 Kia Forte complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2010 record →

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 6, 201555,000 milesIN

2010 KIA FORTE REAR ENDED A 2012 TOYOTA VENZA WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON WET ASPHALT PAVEMENT. UPON COLLISION, THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SEAL BELT RESTRAINT FAILED TO HOLD BACK DRIVER OF THE KIA. DRIVERS FOREHEAD HIT AND BENT STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE KIA AND CONSIDERABLY LESS DAMAGE TO THE TOYOTA VENZA. KIA WAS NOT DRIVABLE, SO IT WAS TAKEN TO A SALVAGE YARD OF A FLAT BED TRUCK. DRIVER OF KIA WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS AND EVALUATION. DRIVER OF KIA SUFFER NECK\BACK PAIN, BRUISED FOREHEAD AND HEAD ACHE AND WAS PRESCRIBED PAIN PILLS & ANTI INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION. MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT I OWN TWO KIA'S, ONE FOR EACH OF MY COLLAGE AGE KIDS AND FEAR THAT THE SAME OUTCOME MAY OCCUR AGAIN WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES. FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINT MUST BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED BY KIA BEFORE MORE INJURIES OCCUR. .. UPDATED 02/19/15 *BF UPDATED 3/30/2016 *JS UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 13, 201544,210 milesIL

THIS IS THE 2ND HEAD ON COLLISION I'VE HAD WITH THE KIA FORTE AND ON BOTH INCIDENTS MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CONCERNS ME. ALSO THE CAR JUMPS INTO SHIFT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 8, 201565,000 milesOH

CAR WAS IDLING IN PARKING LOT WHEN A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING OUTSIDE UNTIL NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM TOP OF HOOD. SHUT CAR OFF AND RELEASED HOOD. GOT OUT OF CAR TO LOOK AND FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT, WINDSHIELD MELTED, FRONT BUMPER AND RADIATOR GONE. HEADLINER IN CAR STARTED BURNING. 911 WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT FIRE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Wheels
Filed Jan 2, 201558,000 milesNC

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING STEM BROKE OFF WHEN TIRE WAS BEING REPAIRED. MECHANIC SAYS OTHER VALVE STEMS ON THE CAR ARE ALSO FRAYING AND COULD BREAK. CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000K MILES. STEM FRAGILITY POSES AN IMMEDIATE AND VERY DANGEROUS THREAT TO SAFETY. *TR

Suspension
Filed Dec 19, 201465,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STUCK IN SNOW, THE CV JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE V JOINT FRACTURED IN TWO LOCATIONS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 201410 milesOR

WHEN AT STOPPED POSITION I STEP ON FOOTFEED AND RPMS DO NOT INCREASE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. THE RPMS AS SHOWN ON THE GAUGE SHOW THAT IT IS IN THE IDLE STATE UNTIL THE SUDDEN SURGE. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TO ADVANCE SLOWLY. THIS HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY BUT PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN IT HAPPENS IN CLOSE FACILITY OR WHEN IN TRAFFIC. THE DELAY IN VEHICLE MOVEMENT MAY BE AS LONG AS 10 SECONDS AND THEN IT JUST JUMPS TO CURRENT DEMAND FROM THE FOOTFEED. THIS HAPPENS RARELY BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS IT REALLY ALARMS THE DRIVER. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 201410,000 milesNY

I RECENTLY HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS ON MY 2010 KIA FORTE. IT WAS NOT DUE TO BRAKE WEAR OR ANY OF THE NORMAL BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM WAS ALL MY BRAKES SEIZED UP AND THE REAR ONES IN PARTICULAR HEATED UP TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE CLOSE TO FAILING. THE DEALER SAID IT MAY HAVE NOT OCCURRED, IF THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN MORE MILES DAILY YET NO FURTHER INFORMATION COULD BE PROVIDED ON THE BRAKE ISSUE. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS MANY CLASSIC CARS AND MY WIFE?S OWN AUNT OWNED A CAR EVEN THOUGH SHE COULD NOT DRIVE IT IN HER LATER YEARS, SO IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO WOULD DRIVE HER TO APPOINTMENTS AND ELSEWHERE. AS LONG AS A VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN DAILY, WHICH THIS WAS, I DON?T BELIEVE THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED. KIA MOTORS ALSO DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED AND COULD PROVIDE NO EXPLANATION. I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE OF MY CONCERNS OF POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE AND THAT THE BRAKE PARTS SUPPLIED ON THE KIA APPARENTLY DO NOT CONTAIN ANY ANTI-CORROSIVE MATERIALS OF ANY TYPE AND THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSED MY BRAKE FLUID TO BECOME CONTAMINATED. FROM SERVICE ORDER: CUSTOMER STATES WHEN DRIVING SOMETIMES RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BREAKS GET VERY HOT; INSPECTED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FOUND PADS ARE STUCK IN THE ANCHORS AND NEEDS SLIDE SERVICE WHILE PERFORMING SERVICE FOUND REAR PADS GOT SO HOT THEY ARE SEPARATING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED; PERFORMED FRONT AND REAR CALIPER SLIDE SERVICE AND REPLACED REAR PADS ALL WORKING AS INTENDED AT THIS TIME. FLUSH OLD FLUID FROM S

Power Train
Filed Aug 22, 2014105,000 milesIL

A FEW MONTHS BACK MY SHIFTER (AUTOMATIC SHIFTER) BECAME SLUGGISH AND APPEARED TO TAKE MORE FORCE TO PULL BACK INTO DRIVE. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH THE VEHICLE NOW SLIPS OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE TO HOLD THE SHIFTER BACK INTO DRIVE (WITH FORCE NEEDED TO KEEP PULLING IT BACK AND MAINTAIN THE "D" FOR DRIVE ON THE ODOMETER). IF I AM DRIVING AND I TAKE MY HAND OFF OF THE SHIFTER, IT SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION THAT HOPEFULLY IS NOT OCCURRING ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT I HAVE MADE MY WAY INTO AN INTERSECTION AND HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. IN ONE CASE I WAS LUCKY TO NOT GET HIT BY PULLING OUT TO GET INTO TRAFFIC AND HAVING IT SLIP INTO NEUTRAL.

Wheels
Filed Aug 3, 201492,930 milesNY

ON JULY 31, 2014 I WAS DRIVING 65MPH WHEN REAR PASSENGER TPMS SENSOR GAVE WAY CAUSING TIRE TO LOSE PRESSURE QUICKLY. THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE KICKED SIDEWAYS AND THEN BECAME HARD TO STEER. REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED AND TIRE SENSOR IN PIECES. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES TWICE SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN 2011 DUE TO TPMS INDICATOR LIGHT ON. FIRST TIME, ON NOV. 7, 2011 REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. TPMS LIGHT CONTINUALLY CAME ON AND HAD TO BE RESET BY TIRE SHOP. TIRES CUPPED SO BAD WE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR AGAIN. SECOND TIME, ON OCT. 7, 2013 REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND TWO SENSORS FROM PREVIOUS FLAT TIRES. IN 2012 AND AGAIN IN 2013, A TPMS GAVE WAY CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR QUICKLY. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD BY THE TIRE SHOP IT WAS AN ORIGINAL SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. ONCE AGAIN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS CONTINUALLY CHECKED AND RESET BY TIRE SHOP. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME AN ORIGINAL SENSOR HAS CAUSED A FLAT TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE THIRD SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. ONCE AGAIN, THE TPMS LIGHT IS ON AND THE TIRES ARE CUPPING. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 29, 2014FL

MELTING DASHBOARD. UPDATED 7/29/2015*JS

Steering
Filed Jul 8, 201440,000 milesFL

THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, THROUGH RAIN OR RECENTLY RAINED ON ROADS GOING THROUGH LARGE UNAVOIDABLE PUDDLES, CAUSES WATER TO SPLASH UP ON THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAUSING IT TO SLIP, 15-20MPH WHEN IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN. THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHERE THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STEER AND COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS AT HIGHER SPEEDS SHOULD IT HAPPEN. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANOTHER CAR. A REMOVABLE PLATE SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE BOTTOM SIDE UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO PREVENT THIS. *JS

Engine
Filed Jul 7, 201443,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Jun 26, 201489,000 milesMD

THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN THREE MILES I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION TO CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AND DISCOVERED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL TIRE STEM WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING AIR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A STEM ON THIS CAR HAS CRACKED. IN BOTH CASES I HAD NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS DAMAGE. KIA FORUMS REPORT THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH KIA FORTES AND SOULS. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Jun 19, 2014CA

HORN DID NOT WORK WHEN I TRIED HONKING TO THE OTHER DRIVER. WE GOT BACKED INTO BECAUSE THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK THEREFORE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK, THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I TRIED HAVING A MECHANIC LOOK INTO BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 18, 201450 milesOH

I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW 7/30/2010 AND THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 8/12/10. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND I CAN'T TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO WIGGLE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND IT WILL BREAK FREE. IT HAPPENED 2-3X A YR. UP TO 2014. NOW IT'S HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN 6X FROM 6/01/14-6/13/14. ON 6/15/14 IT HAPPENED 2X AND I WAS STRANDED BOTH TIMES AND IT TOOK 50-60 MIN. FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. I ONLY HAVE 3,200 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 201470,000 milesMD

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. I TRIED ONE MORE TIME TO START THE IGNITION AND WAS ONLY BARELY ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE TO START AND MAINTAIN. I WENT OFF ON MY WAY AND LATER ON MY WAY HOME I STOPPED TO GET FOOD AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR I TRIED STARTING IT AND IT STRUGGLED TO START. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND ONLY IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT ACTIVATING AND SETTING TO MY CURRENT SPEED. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Jun 17, 201428,000 milesOH

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, THE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE REAR DRIVER TIRE VALVE STEM FRACTURED AND THE SENSOR PUNCTURED THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 9, 201470,130 milesNY

TURNED VEHICLE ON, PUT IN REVERSE, AS I PRESSED GAS TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND FIRST STARTED MOVING, THE VEHICLE DIED. I WAS HALF IN ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, ENGINE WONT RUN. HAD TO PUSH CAR TO SIDE OF ROADWAY FOR SAFETY. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THROUGH MY INSURANCE TO TOW CAR TO MY FATHERS GARAGE. THE CAR IS NOT PUMPING FUEL TO THE ENGINE. IT IS NOT THE FUEL PUMP, BUT A FAULTY FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY SYSTEM AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY IS A BAD CONNECTION CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE TERMINAL. CALLED KIA OF MIDDLETOWN NY WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY WILL NOT RELEASE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING ANY RECALLS OR WARRANTY INFORMATION ON MY VEHICLE EVEN WITH ME PROVIDING ALL INFORMATION ON MY VEHICLE UNLESS I NOW TOW THE VEHICLE TO MIDDLETOWN NY AND ITS PHYSICALLY THERE. THEY DO NOT SEEM TO TAKE THE COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 25, 201447,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOAD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A ROD KNOCK AND RECOMMENDED HAVING THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

Tires
Filed Mar 6, 201434,900 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 74 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW. THE CONTACT ALERTED BOTH THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW. THE CONTACT AGAIN ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER ABOUT THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DECLINED TO HELP THE CONTACT WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE AND VEHICLE WAS 34,900. *TR

Tires
Filed Jan 20, 2014IL

ON JANUARY 19TH, 2014, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT. UPON INSPECTION, THE HOLE WHERE THE VALVE STEM SHOULD RESIDE WAS EMPTY. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS TYPE. PREVIOUSLY, ON FEBRUARY 28TH, 2013, WHILE DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD AT 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. AT THAT TIME, A COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED WITH KIA (CONFIRMATION ID K2441671). NO RESPONSE OR CONTACT WAS EVER GIVEN BY KIA. ONCE THE TIRES WERE DISASSEMBLED, AND THE TPMS PARTS EXAMINED, HEAVY CORROSION AND METAL EROSION WAS PRESENT. AT SOME POINT, THE SECURING NUT LETS GO, AND THE STEM EJECTS INTO THE TIRE, RAPIDLY RELEASING THE AIR. IF THIS IS AN ISSUE OF INFERIOR METAL BEING USED WITH THE KIA VALVE STEMS, THEN I FEEL THAT A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THUS FAR THE FAILURES HAVE ONLY CAUSED THE LOSS OF TIME, INCONVENIENCE, DRIVING ON THE DREADED SPACE-SAVER TIRE, COST OF REPLACEMENT SENSORS AND TIRES, AND RISK OF CHANGING TIRES AT ROADSIDE, BUT SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLES COULD EASILY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS SHARING THE ROADWAY. I AM NOT AWARE HOW COMMON THIS TYPE OF FAILURE MAY BE, BUT IT IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DANGER THAT COULD BE ELIMINATED OR AT LEAST SIGNIFICANTLY MINIMIZED. OVER SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES DRIVEN, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A NORMAL VALVE STEM EJECTION, NOR KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS. THE TPMS VALVE STEMS IN QUESTION SEEM TO BE

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 2014CA

STARTING ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR (LOW BEAM) STARTED TO REGULARLY BURN OUT ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR TWO. I FINALLY BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A GROUND PROBLEM IN BOTH THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. (THE SAME ISSUE IN BOTH ?? ) THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT AS IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN BOTH OF THEM BURNED OUT AT THE SAME TIME. WITH THE SAME DEFECT BEING IN TWO DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE SAME CAR, I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS IS NOT A GENERAL PROBLEM ESPECIALLY AFTER TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE DEALERSHIP HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS.. *TR

Wheels
Filed Dec 30, 201368,000 milesIN

VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY LOSING PRESSURE IN ALL FOUR TIRES FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT. FAILURE OF DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING TO SERVICE STATION APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MILES AFTER INSPECTION OF PRESSURE. SERVICE INSPECTION AFTER THE INCIDENT FOUND THAT ALL FOUR SENSORS WERE LEAKING. TIRES HAD LESS THEN THREE THOUSAND MILES OF WEAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 18, 2013130,000 milesPA

THE AC CONDENSER FROZE UP THEREFORE I COULD NOT START VEHICLE . IT WAS SNOWING AND FREEZING AND I WAS STRANDED FOR 2 HOURS. THE AC SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD ON A 2010 VEHICLE . I READ MANY REPORTS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN THE KIA FORTES ALL YEARS. WELL SOMEONE COULD GET HURT WHEN THERE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY!!! THIS IS A PROBLEM!!! MECHANIC TOLD ME I COULD OF BEEN DRIVING FAST AND THIS COULD OF HAPPENED!! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT!! *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 12, 201378,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD TRAUMA AND INJURIES TO THE KNEE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO SECURE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 201342,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 5, 201398,454 milesCA

VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT. IT HAS COME ON REPEATEDLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. NO CODES HAVE EVER BEEN FOUND. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON SOLID AND WILL NOT GO OFF. KIA NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, THERE HAS BEEN COUNTLESS MODELS OF KIA VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD AIRBAG PROBLEMS. MOST ARE LOOSE CONNECTIONS THAT VIBRATE LOOSE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A SAFETY FEATURE. KIA DEALERS ARE CHARGING EXCESSIVE FEES TO CLEAR CODES AND WIGGLE WIRES. $110 DIAGNOSTIC FEES. ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS POP UP AGAIN. THERE SHOULD BE A MANDATORY 5 YEAR UNLIMITED MILES WARRANTY ON SAFETY FEATURES ON VEHICLES. I AM NOW DRIVING MY CAR WITHOUT AIRBAGS AND REFUSE TO PAY KIA TO FIX THEM TEMPORARILY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. DO SOME RESEARCH YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD LOOSE CONNECTIONS ON AIR BAG SENSORS IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. *TR

Wheels
Filed Oct 30, 201335,000 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE LOW AIR PRESSURE INDICATOR TURNED ON, AND I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES. I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE TPS ON THE REAR WHEEL WAS CRACKED. ONCE I TRIED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC VALVE STEM COVER, THE VALVE STEM BROKE RELEASING ALL AIR IN THE TIRE. I PUT THE SPARE ON, THEN CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER STATES THAT I NEED TO PURCHASE NEW TPS, AS THE "SENSOR WILL NOT BREAK ON ITS OWN." CAR HAS 35K ON IT, STILL HAS FACTORY WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 28, 201347,100 milesUT

OUR 2010 KIA FORTE EX LOST 90% OF POWER REPEATEDLY (RPMS DROP TO IDLE, REGARDLESS OF THROTTLE POSITION) AT SPEEDS FROM 0-35MPH. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, BUT I THINK IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND YOU LOSE ACCELERATION, YOU CAN BE IN THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY LOSING POWER. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO (25,000 MILES OR SO) THE TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR) WENT OUT. KIA COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT UNTIL IT THREW A CODE (LAME). NOW WE GET THE SAME ISSUE, THE VEHICLE IS STALLING, OR "STUMBLING" WHEN THE SPEED SHOULD BE CONSTANT OR ACCELERATING, BUT THERE IS NO ENGINE CODE FOR THE CODE READER TO PICKUP YET, SO THE MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM ON MANY MODELS OF KIA/HYUNDAI AND THE MECHANICS DON'T RECOGNIZE IT SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT, AND YOU ARE STUCK WITH A DANGEROUS CONDITION. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THESE FAULTY TPS SENSORS. KIA/HYUNDAI SHOULD AT LEAST ISSUE A SAFETY TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) TO CLUE IN THEIR MECHANICS AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HERE'S A GREAT ARTICLE SHOWING THE PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/KIA-CARNIVAL-SEDONA-2006/80251-TPS-SENSOR-SYMPTOMS-TPS-FAILURE-CEL.HTML THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 201331,000 milesPR

ESC LIGHT STAYS ON, BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND CRUISE CONTROL WORKS SPORADICALLY, ALL FUSES ARE WORKING, A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REFLECTS THAT THE A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MIGHT BE THE CAUSE, WHICH IN FACT IT WAS. *TR

Wheels
Filed Sep 24, 201355,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BECAME DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TIRE SENSOR HAD FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SENSORS ALSO BECAME FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *JS

Wheels
Filed Aug 13, 201352,000 milesPA

THE TPMS ON THREE TIRES HAVE CORRODED AND CAUSED LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. THIS HAS LEAD TO HAVING TO REPLACE ALL THREE SENSORS. WHEN THIS SENSOR CORRODES, YOU CANNOT ADD ANY AIR TO THE TIRE FOR A TEMP FIX UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED AND YOU ARE FORCED TO DRIVE ON THE SPARE TIRE. THIS REPAIR RUNS AROUND $200 AT THE LOCAL KIA DEALER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 201330,000 milesPA

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. *TR

Wheels
Filed Jun 23, 201386,000 milesMI

THE TIRE DEFLATE RAPIDLY WHEN DRIVING AT 70MPH ON FREEWAY. WHEN IN THE TIRE SHOP TECHNICIAN REVELED THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE BUT THE STEM WAS MISSING. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE THE STEM WAS FOUND INSIDE THE TIRE WITH VISIBLE CORROSION SIGNS. BY INSPECTING THE REST OF THE STEM, WAS FOUND THAT ALL THREE STEM SUPPORTING NUTS HAVE TRACES OF CORROSION BUT ONE OF THEM ON THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL THE NUT WAS CRACKED. WE CONCLUDED AS CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRACK IN THE NUT THAT SECURE THE STEM IN POSITION. THE FAILURE CAN BE VERIFIED BY THE CORROSION MARS PRESENT OF THE FAILED WHEEL STEM. THE COMPONENT IS IDENTIFY AS FCCI ID: KR5S180052015B IC:267T-S118015B ID:0C2BDE37 S180052017E 09096 CONTINENTAL PA66 GF30 52933-2M000. *TR

Wheels
Filed Jun 23, 201386,000 milesMI

KIA CASE #[XXX] AFTER INFORM KIA ON WHEEL STEM FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION(KIA CASE NUMBER[XXX]) KIA DECIDED NOT TO ISSUE NOR ELEVATE THE PROBLEM ON WHEEL STEM SUPPORTING NUT FAILURE. KIA DID NOT ACCEPT MY OFFER TO SHIP THE FAILED STEM AND NUT FOR TEST OR INSPECTION. KIA DENIED TO WARRANT THE INVOLVED PARTS AFTER OFFER THE CAR FOR 100,000 MILES OR TEN YEARS "BUMPER TO BUMPER" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Wheels
Filed Jun 23, 201386,000 milesMI

AFTER INCIDENT AT 70 MPH AND TAKING THE CAR TO THE KIA ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN, THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSES TO WRITE IN THE SERVICE REPORT THE OBSERVED CRACKED NUT SUPPORTING THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL STEM. THE COMPLAINT WAS ISSUE UNDER KIA #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Wheels
Filed Jun 14, 201361,000 milesNY

THE TPMS SENSOR RETAINING NUTS CRACK AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO SUDDENLY LOOSE ALL AIR PRESSURE. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS DESTROYED THE TIRE. TODAY WHILE GETTING BRAKES SERVICED IT WAS FOUND I HAVE A THIRD RETAINING NUT THAT IS CRACKED. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 4, 2013GA

WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT,WHEN I CRASHED INTO A CAR THAT WAS GOING ABOUT 50. MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS SMASHED IN, RADIATOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK,THE FRAME WAS BENT,TORE OFF MY BUMMER, FOLDED MY HOOD AND BROKE MY WINDSHIELD..THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.. *TR

Steering
Filed May 22, 201323,500 milesKY

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL GET VERY HARD TO STEER. STOP. SHUT OFF CAR. RESTART AND WILL RESET. THEN HAPPENS AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER CHARGED TO REPROGRAM COMPUTER. CLEARS UP THEN HAPPENS ALL OVER AGAIN. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 20, 201326,000 milesCA

UPON PARKING MY VEHICLE, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE OR NEUTRAL, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND REMOVE MY KEYS. AS I WAS UNABLE TO DO THIS, I COULD NOT LEAVE MY VEHICLE AND FEARED IT COULD ROLL FROM ITS PARKING SPOT. AT THIS TIME, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON WHEN I WOULD PRESS THE BRAKES. ALSO, MY ESC CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING THIS FUNCTION WAS NO LONGER WORKING. WHEN TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THERE IS AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS THAT HAS RESULTED IN A RECALL. HOWEVER, MY FORTE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTART MY VEHICLE OVER FIFTEEN MINUTES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. HOWEVER, MY ESC LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER THIS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 26, 201312,000 milesPA

ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 22, 201332,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER LEFT FOOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 10, 201330,000 milesLA

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE PASSING AN 18 WHEELER. MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE TIRE CAUSED ME TO MAKE A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN WHICH THREW ME UNDER THE 18 WHEELER. THE TRUCK WENT OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS THEN THROWN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THEN INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED - THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 20, 201343,000 milesGA

WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING 60 MPH, PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND PASSENGER SUFFERED WHIPLASH, CONCUSSION AND BACK PAIN FROM IMPACT AND SEATBELT NOT LOCKING TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE. CAR WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

Wheels
Filed Mar 18, 20136,298 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACTS STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TPMS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS, INVOLVING THE REAR DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BEING AFFECTED BY THE TPMS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,298 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,200. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 17, 201338,200 milesOH

THREE TIMES I'VE NOTICED THIS. I PARK THE KIA IN MY DRIVE AT NIGHT AND IN THE MORNING IT HAS SLIPPED 4 OR 5 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVE IS ON A SLOPE, BUT NOTHING EXTREME. THE KIA HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 27, 201338,000 milesGA

THE WINDSHIELD FAILED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANY OBJECTS OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. A SMALL CRACK CAME FROM THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SPREAD COMPROMISING WINDSHIELD STRENGTH. KIA REFUSED TO REPAIR SAYING THAT THE THEIR WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER FAULTS TO THE WINDSHIELD PAST 24 MONTHS REGARDLESS OF POOR WORKMANSHIP. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 201265,555 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING FROM MY KIDS PEDIATRICIAN OFFICE. I NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROL STAYED OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. THAT AFFECTED MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I NOTICED THAT SAME PART IS PUT AS A RECALL FOR THE SORENTO AND SOUL BUT NOT FOR THE FORTE. IF IT IS THE SAME RECALL THE FORTE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. FOR THE VEHICLE BEING ONLY TWO YEARS OLD IT SHOULD BE COVERED AS A RECALL AND DUE TO THE SAFETY IMPACT THAT IT MAY CAUSE REAR END COLLISION DUE TO THE DRIVER NOT NOTICING THAT THE TCS AFFECTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

Seats
Filed Sep 4, 2012VA

THE HEADREST PUSHES MY HEAD SO FAR FORWARD IT MAKES MY NECK HURT. I AM BETWEEN 5' 3" AND 5' 4" AND HAD TO TURN IT AROUND BACKWARDS. OTHERWISE, I LITERALLY HAVE TO HUNCH MY SHOULDERS TO LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD. IT ISN'T SAFE. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 31, 201210,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2010 Kia Forte → · Every Forte year → · How the figures are calculated →