10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,645 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Kia Forte engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Kia Forte Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #33

Sep 142020

Forte

  • 135,090 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had a mild engine knocking noise for a several weeks, but just had an oil change a few days prior to the incident. I was driving down the road and the car seemed to be struggling to shift gears and go. I pulled over and heard terrible rod knocking and engine clanking noises. I turned the car off to call my father and ask if he thought I could make it home, and I agreed to attempt it. When I turned the car back on the rod knocking was worse than before, it made a very loud clicking noise when I accelerated, and the oil light came on. I got back on the road and the engine stalled within minutes, in the middle of a busy intersection.

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #32

Aug 272020

Forte

  • 20 miles
Motor has been making pecking sound for period of time. As going down the road today it died in the road. Finally got it to crank enough to get out of the road but it's making a louder knocking sound.

- Philadelphia, TN, USA

problem #31

Mar 052020

Forte

  • 168,000 miles
Sudden engine failure while driving

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #30

Aug 292019

Forte

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine burned in front yard husband drove car to post office returned with car and engine was on fire, fire department had to put fire out. Husband made it home and parked the vehicle at front door husband thought car was steaming but car was on fire

- Clinton, NC, USA

problem #29

Jan 202020

Forte

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte ex. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, a ticking noise emerging from the engine compartment started. No warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer holly Kia, 13175 S dupont hwy, felton, de 19943, they determined that the vehicle needed a new engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #28

Jan 162020

Forte

  • 192,000 miles
After an oil change my engine began to knock. Oil change was not overdue by more than a hundred miles. Oil light came on. Took it to be changed the next day. As I was driving home, oil light began to flicker and by the time I got home (10 miles) it was steady. I took it back to the oil place. They informed me my oil was overly sludgy and were worried it might be an engine issue. They also found metal shavings in the pan. This is the exact same issue happening with the 2011 recalls. My mechanic told me my car is dangerous to drive and I need an engine replacement. Kia told me it would be almost 6000 out of pocket. This engine needs to be inspected. I have never had any other issue with this car.

- Bald Knob, AR, USA

problem #27

Nov 032019

Forte

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Update to claim 11277949 Kia dealer claims shifter bushing and the transmission switch. Strange that such a dangerous was treated with more concern. 5 more seconds of that malfunction and I would have wounded or killed a innocent pedestrian

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #26

Nov 032019

Forte

  • 93,000 miles
Car did not stop when placed in park, shifters gets stuck. When placing the car in reverse park, the car moved forward instead of reverse, not stoping, had to push the brake pedal and the emergency brake as the car was moving forward ( while on reverse) kept moving fwd at approximately 5 miles without pressing the fas pedal. Had to stop by using emergency brake. Turned off the car took it to the dealer. When placing the car in reverse the car kept moving dangerously forward

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 012019

Forte

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. While driving at low speeds, a noise was detected coming from the engine and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that one of the engine lifters was the cause of the abnormal tapping noise and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Newcomerstown, OH, USA

problem #24

May 122019

Forte

  • 227,376 miles
🚗 car caught on 🔥 fire while driving on I 285..

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #23

Jun 042019

Forte

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #22

Aug 202018

Forte

  • 100,000 miles
My airbag has been on for ovr a yr. Took it to a dealer to get repaired. The light was off for 4 days and cane back on and stays on. Back again. And still had to pay another diag. Fee. But they said it was fixed. Now my car sounds really loud...knocking thats annoying. Everytime I start my car and drive it makes that noise. Just found out. Its an airbag module that wasnt covered in the recall. Why cldnt they find that at 1st. Smh. Very disappointed in Kia. Going to a different mfg...like Toyota

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #21

Dec 272018

Forte

  • 86,000 miles
Knocking in engine noticed white starting and driving. Check engine light illuminated leaving oil change at 86K miles (12/27/2018). Moments later, vehicle wouldn't go above 60mph entering highway. All lights illuminated on the dash, pulled over on ramp and turn vehicle off. Vehicle wouldn't start and was towed to mechanic. Mechanic got vehicle to start and heard knocking. Identified coming from the engine and vehicle was turned off. Mechanic advised vehicle to be towed to dealer due to recent engine recalls. Vehicle was towed to the dealer and is pending diagnostic. I am not the original owner and the "10 year/100,000 mile" warranty does not apply to me. Hopefully they are honest and honor the repair/replacement.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #20

Mar 292019

Forte

  • miles
Since ive bought my car its had a ticking/knocking noise coming from the engine. Really loud in the morning and it used to go away after driving now its consistently making noise. Ive been to numerous mechanics and all say that its normal for these engines. The noise keeps getting louder and I only have 118,200 miles on this car. The car is in excellent shape and I baby it. Besides some minor scratches it looks and runs brand new besides the [xxx] knocking sound. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #19

Jun 012016

Forte

  • 51,173 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. While the vehicle was being driven, the contact heard an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to evergreen Kia (located at 9205 S western ave, Chicago, il 60643, (800) 671-8069) where it was diagnosed that there were signs of piston slap and cylinder wall damage. There were also metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 51,173.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #18

Feb 222019

Forte

  • 110,000 miles
The engine is failing. Just over 100,000 miles and has bearing failure with rod knock. I have read story after story about these engines failing. A 2010 needs to be recalled and repaired the same as 2011. Same engine, same procedures. The car is useless now. Can't sell, trade, or drive.

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #17

Feb 042019

Forte

  • 113,000 miles
2010 Kia Forte; 113,000 miles. Check engine light came on. Code read '3rd engine bank sensors.' Dealership diagnosed the problem as 'knocking rods coming apart inside the engine.' The dealership currently has two Kia Fortes in the shop with the same mileage and problem. Seems like a pattern.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #16

Sep 262018

Forte

  • 50,000 miles
My engine started making a loud clicking sound when I started the car and continued as I drove, then the check engine light came on. We took it to a mechanic that same day. I spoke with 3 mechanics, all said it's a common engine problem with Kia's and they said it was spun crank on the rod bearings and it's a common issue with Kia's. I have had the car since 2010 and only have 50K miles on it. They refuse to honor their 100,000 miles 10 year warranty.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #15

Aug 012018

Forte

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owned a 2010 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 50 mph, smoke was present coming from the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, it was discovered that flames and smoke were coming from under the front of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A fire report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #14

May 312018

Forte

  • 65,576 miles
While driving car started to make knocking noises coming from engine. Last week Thursday. ( May 31, 2018) mileage at 65K. Then suddenly engine off' on its own. Did not want to start. Starter and battery was fine based on towing company staff who helped with tow. Next day had a mechanic diagnose the problem engine, he indicated the engine has locked, oil level was good but was sludgy. Had an annual oil change mid Feb 2018. I normally drive to and from work it takes about 15mins. With traffic 20mins. I stay in guam, island is quite small 18 miles wide and 31 miles long. Called dealer asked about recall for this particular problem to be told no recalls have been filed by Kia based on my vehicles VIN number. Searched the web found many complaints about this similar or same problem. A class action suit has been filed in quebec Canada on this matter for Kia Forte 2010 engine problems/locking. Hopefully I am not the only person suffering from this problem. Please help.

- Dededo, GU, USA

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