2010 Kia Forte Transmission & Power Train Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026

21Power Train complaints

9.5%Of all 221 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE74 · 33.5%

AIR BAGS40 · 18.1%

POWER TRAIN21 · 9.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19 · 8.6%

TIRES18 · 8.1%

Share of the 221 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2010 Kia Forte overview page.

What owners report

“AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT WILL QUIT FOR NO REASON. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL TO START AND…”NHTSA complaint 10972308 — filed 04/13/2017

“I HAVE A 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP. IT RUNS AND DRIVES ALRIGHT BESIDES IT MAKES SUCH A KNOCK. I HAVE HEARD IT COULD BE A…”NHTSA complaint 10883843 — filed 07/10/2016

“VEHICLE FAILED TO START. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY…”NHTSA complaint 10795223 — filed 11/21/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Kia Forte have transmission & power train problems?

Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2010 Kia Forte: 21 of 221 complaints on file (9.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2010 Kia Forte have in total?

221 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 21 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 14 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train category include?

NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.