Kia Forte 2010–2013
1st generation (TD)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,207 complaints, 760 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 760
- Median of reported failures
- 77,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (32.0%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,000 and 109,705 miles.
Figure 1 · Kia Forte 2010–2013 · 760 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 67 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 18 complaints (2.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 12,000
- 25%
- 40,000
- Median
- 77,353
- 75%
- 109,705
- 90%
- 141,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 67 | 8.8% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 39 | 5.1% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 42 | 5.5% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 38 | 5.0% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 48 | 6.3% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 39 | 5.1% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 60 | 7.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 60 | 7.9% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 60 | 7.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 60 | 7.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 59 | 7.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 42 | 5.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 30 | 3.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 37 | 4.9% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 14 | 1.8% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 21 | 2.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 10 | 1.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 10 | 1.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 18 | 2.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2013 Kia Forte, and 760 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,000 and 109,705 miles. The median is 77,353 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (32.0% of complaints, typically around 95,000 miles), the airbag system (10.7% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles), the electrical system (7.8% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation. 1 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2010–2013 Kia Forte last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2010–2013 Kia Forte were filed by 77,000 miles and 90% by 141,000 miles — figures drawn from 760 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
18 reports (2.4%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Forte reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2010–2013 Forte: the 3-minute check
Generated from 760 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check anti-theft/security on 2011–2013 cars. No engine immobilizer on keyed-ignition trims. Vehicles started with a steel key can be hot-wired via the steering column ignition cylinder, the basis of the widely publicized 'Kia Challenge' theft wave. Kia's remedy is…
- Check engine on 2010–2013 cars. Theta II engine connecting rod bearing wear leading to knock and seizure is the family-level defect for Kia's Theta II engines and is covered by the Kia engine class settlement; the Forte and Forte Koup 2.4L Theta II…
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 40,000 and 110,000 miles, with a median of 77,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 78,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Kia Forte 2010–2013
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline62 reports62,00026,000–100,000Transmission and driveline: 62 reports, median 62,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting60 reports65,00046,000–90,000Exterior lighting: 60 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Brakes82 reports68,00031,000–93,000Brakes: 82 reports, median 68,000 miles, middle half 31,000 to 93,000 miles.
- Electrical system94 reports74,00046,000–100,000Electrical system: 94 reports, median 74,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise56 reports77,00024,000–115,000Problems owners could not categorise: 56 reports, median 77,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 115,000 miles.
- Airbag system129 reports78,00032,000–109,000Airbag system: 129 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 109,000 miles.
- Engine386 reports95,00067,000–121,000Engine: 386 reports, median 95,000 miles, middle half 67,000 to 121,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 386 | 32.0% | 95,000 | 67,000–121,000 |
| Airbag system | 129 | 10.7% | 78,000 | 32,000–109,000 |
| Electrical system | 94 | 7.8% | 74,000 | 46,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 82 | 6.8% | 68,000 | 31,000–93,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 62 | 5.1% | 62,000 | 26,000–100,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 60 | 5.0% | 65,000 | 46,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 56 | 4.6% | 77,000 | 24,000–115,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 53 | 4.4% | 100,000 | 77,000–173,000 |
| Steering | 38 | 3.1% | 69,000 | 28,000–94,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 35 | 2.9% | 45,000 | 16,000–75,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Kia Forte 2010–2013 · 760 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 36% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 60% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 2.4% of reports (18) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
36% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Airbag system — middle half 32,000–109,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 46,000–100,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 31,000–93,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 26,000–100,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 46,000–90,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 24,000–115,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 67,000–121,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
60% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Exterior lighting — median 65,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 67,000–121,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 32,000–109,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 46,000–100,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 31,000–93,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 26,000–100,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 24,000–115,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
81% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Airbag system — median 78,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 74,000 mi
- Brakes — median 68,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 62,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 65,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 77,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 67,000–121,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 77,353 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 32.0% of complaints (386 reports, 247 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 95,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 67,000 and 121,000 miles.
A single system taking 32.0% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The airbag system accounts for 10.7% of complaints (129 reports, 76 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 109,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.8% of complaints (94 reports, 47 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 100,000 miles.
The brakes account for 6.8% of complaints (82 reports, 50 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 31,000 and 93,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 5.1% of complaints (62 reports, 49 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 26,000 and 100,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 5.0% of complaints (60 reports, 32 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 90,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 404 complaints — while 2011 drew the fewest at 214. The median year sits at 294.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
1 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the engine (1), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,207 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 139 (11.5%)
- Fires
- 82
- Injury reports
- 95
- Fatality reports
- 12
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Anti-Theft/Security 2011–2013
No engine immobilizer on keyed-ignition trims. Vehicles started with a steel key can be hot-wired via the steering column ignition cylinder, the basis of the widely publicized 'Kia Challenge' theft wave. Kia's remedy is a dealer-installed anti-theft software upgrade or, for ineligible vehicles, a physical theft deterrent device. Immobilizers became standard from MY2022.
Engine 2010–2013
Theta II engine connecting rod bearing wear leading to knock and seizure is the family-level defect for Kia's Theta II engines and is covered by the Kia engine class settlement; the Forte and Forte Koup 2.4L Theta II MPI applications fall within that settlement's scope.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 317 | 218 |
| 2011 | 214 | 133 |
| 2012 | 404 | 248 |
| 2013 | 272 | 161 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Mar 2024 · 2010–2013 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. 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.
Jan 2021 · 2012–2013 · EngineAn engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Sep 2018 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsIf the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the…
The 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Jan 2018 · 2012–2013 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
What can happen. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
Jul 2016 · 2013 · Seat BeltsIf a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012. The screws that hold the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates may not have been properly tightened, and as a result, the seatbelt retractor retaining plates may break in a crash.
What can happen. If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The recall began July 1, 2016. Kia's number for this recall is SC132.
Mar 2016 · 2011 · Power TrainIf enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
What can happen. If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.
Apr 2013 · 2010 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
What owners reported
The 2010 Kia was traveling on a rural state highway with at a speed that has not been determined yet. When coming over a hill the car leaves the right side of road way, the driver over corrects spinning the car, it travels 180-200'feet backwards, leaves the road way snd side impact a tree. My 14'year old was wearing a…
2010 · Airbag system
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…
2010 · 10 miles · Engine
I was pulling out of a parking spot vertically when i needed to give the car some gas rather than just lift foot off brake to get out of spot. The car delayed--would not accelerate. I tried again and it shot out rapidly uncontrollably out of the spot, side swiping the car next to me and going into a reverse figure…
2010 · 30 miles · Brakes
Built from 760 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page