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2010 Kia Forte Koup Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2010 Kia Forte Koup, and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
11
owner complaints to NHTSA
0 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
26–30
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2010 Kia Forte Koup

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside

    NHTSA 23V652000 Reported 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected Kia America, Inc.

    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…

    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,…

  2. Air bag/restraint control module (air bags)

    NHTSA 18V363000 Reported 507,587 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    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.

    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…

11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2010 Kia Forte Koup have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 105,096 miles. Complaints peaked in 2018 with 6 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“These vehicles are absolutely dangerous! I've been in the automotive business my entire career for 15 years with a level certifications and ase's. I stopped driving the vehicle due to the simple matte”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 2, 2021 · Service brakes

“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). Regard”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 6, 2019 · Wheels

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2010 Kia Forte. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined26–30 mpg
City / Highway22–27 / 31–36
FuelRegular
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine4 cyl, 2/2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare Kia Forte Koup model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Forte Koup model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2010 Kia Forte Koup211
2011 Kia Forte Koup28
2012 Kia Forte Koup414
2013 Kia Forte Koup416
2014 Kia Forte Koup21
2015 Kia Forte Koup10
2016 Kia Forte Koup02
2017 Kia Forte Koup10

Checking a specific 2010 Kia Forte Koup

How do I know if my 2010 Kia Forte Koup has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2010 Kia Forte Koup; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V363000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Kia models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.