NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 Kia Forte Koup Recalls & Complaints

The 2010 Kia Forte Koup has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 Kia Forte Koup. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2010 Kia Forte Koup owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Forte Koup, describing incidents dated February 7, 2017 to May 3, 2019.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 6 complaints
  • Seat Belts 2 complaints
  • Air Bags 1 complaint
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Of the 11 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11414806 · Filed

    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 MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING. I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF IN THE…

  • ODI #11205683 · Filed

    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). REGARDLESS, THIS FAILURE IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE RUN OVER…

  • ODI #11165023 · Filed

    I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE MOST RECENT RECALL WITH THE AIR BAG FIXED. AFTER THE REPAIR OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DURING THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE AIR BAG MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING…

Read all 11 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2010 Kia Forte Koup in 3 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported September 25, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,730,192 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC284 · Owners notified March 29, 2024

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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, 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

NHTSA #18V363000 · Air Bags — Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 1, 2018 · Kia Motors America

Potentially affected: 507,587 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC165 · Owners notified September 28, 2018 · Vehicles built February 15, 2011 – August 31, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Kia Forte Koup model years

Check your 2010 Kia Forte Koup VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Forte Koup at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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