2010 KIA SOUL

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    18 unsafe

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 25,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "09/09/2010 I WAS T-BONED IN A 2010 KIA SOUL WITH 1822 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS A MURANO GOING 45 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL AND DRIVER DOOR. I SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM HITTING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SOME…"~1,822 mi, complaint #837016
    • "2010 KIA SOUL TRAVELING SOUTH ON SC HIGHWAY 905 AT 9:45PM., RURAL HIGHWAY WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT FROM A RIGHT SIDE DIRT ACCESS ROAD. THERE WAS A FRONT END CRASH TO THE KIA SOUL RESULTING IN TOTAL DAMAGE FRONT THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE FRONT DASH BOARD AR…"~16,000 mi, complaint #806931
    • "WE REAR-ENDED A 2004 EXPEDITION IN OUR 2010 KIA SOUL AT 20MPH. MY WIFE SUSTAINED A "TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY" AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS BEING CUT IN HALF (BOTH SIDES) BEFORE THE SENSORS WERE ACTIVATED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE WIRING HARNESS CUT IN…"~25,000 mi, complaint #803368
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE HEADLIGHT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTA…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1525129
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR WAS HIT TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND. A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT AND COULD NOT AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE. TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT WAY ON CITY STREET. INSURANCE HAVE TOTALED THE VEHICLE."~191,284 mi, complaint #1566885
  2. #2

    interior trim

    1 unsafe, 11 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 1,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE A 2010 KIA SOUL THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS SCRATCH VERY EASILY. PRIMARY ISSUE COME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT STRIKING THE DOOR AS IT RETRACTS. *TR"~500 mi, complaint #775893
    • "DOOR SKINS AND PILLARS SCRATCH TOO EASILY. MAJOR SOURCE OF DEEP SCRATCHES IS DUE TO THE MERE TOUCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BEING RETRACTED. OTHER SCRATCHES CAN BE CAUSED BY TOUCHING THESE INTERIOR PARTS. THESE PLASTIC PARTS ARE INFERIOR AND DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE…"~800 mi, complaint #804703
    • "DEEP SCRATCHES TO PILLARS, DOORS, GLOVE BOX, DASH BOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE DUE TO THE MATERIAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLES INTERIOR. AT 3000 I BEGAN LETTING MY DEALERSHIP KNOW, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA, KIA AMERICA INSISTS THEY LET ALL THE DEA…"~1,000 mi, complaint #805033
    • "MY 2010 KIA SOUL HAS SUCH SEVERE INTERIOR DAMAGE FROM THE SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL THEY USED THAT THE MARKET VALUE HAS DEPRECIATED FAR BEYOND THE NORM. ANY METAL, EVEN PLASTIC THAT TOUCHES THE DOORS (SEAT BELT BUCKLE) PILLARS, CENTER CONSOLE, GLOVE BOX, ETC....B…"~3,000 mi, complaint #804593
    • "2010 KIA SOUL SPECIAL EDITION NUMBER ONE: ALL 4 PASSENGER DOORS HAVE MULTIPLE NICKS AND SCRATCHES ON THEIR INTERIOR, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT DOORS. THE SEATBELTS SCRATCH THE DOORS. THE PLASTIC INNER DOORS ARE TOO SOFT AND MAR TOO EASILY. *TR"~3,000 mi, complaint #805070
  3. #3

    glass and windshield

    9 unsafe, 1 broken

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 5,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2010 KIA SOUL WINDSHIELD HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO. YES, CAUSED BY SMALL ROCKS FROM THE ROAD. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WE PAID OVER $50.00 TO HAVE THE CRACKS "BLOWN". THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER A ROCK HITS AGAIN THIS TIME THE SMALL ROCK HAS…"~1,000 mi, complaint #730565
    • "I WAS RETURNING FROM A TRIP WHEN I GOT A SMALL ROCK CHIP. I HAD IT FILLED AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THIS MORNING, WHEN I DROVE TO WORK, MY WINDSHIELD WAS FINE, BUT THIS AFTERNOON, THERE WAS AN L SHAPED CRACK IN THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. I AM FIN…"~2,332 mi, complaint #844844
    • "I HAVE HAD MY KIA SOUL SINCE MAY 2009. I HAVE EXPERIENCED CHIPS IN THE GLASS AND PAINT AS WELL AS SCRATCHES TO THE GLASS FROM A PLASTIC ICE SCRAPER AI HAVE USED ON 3 OTHER VEHICLES WITHOUT ISSUE. I DO NOT USE ICE SCRAPERS OFTEN HERE IN TEXAS, BUT THIS IS THE F…"~4,800 mi, complaint #749092
    • " FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD CHIPS AND CRACKS FROM THE EDGE EASILY AND OFTEN. I HAD THE FIRST WINDOW REPLACED AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES AND THAT WINDOW WAS A GENUINE KIA WINDOW INSTALLED AND NOW IT HAS TWO SMALL CHIPS AND A CRACK FROM THE EDGE OF THE GLASS AND ON…"~5,000 mi, complaint #743005
    • "WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT BASE OF WINDOW COVERED BY THE WIPER NOT WHERE A ROCK COULD ACCESS IT. THE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED IN MARCH OF 2010 AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS. I AM UNWILLING TO FIX DUE TO THE…"~8,000 mi, complaint #829189
  4. #4

    wiring harness

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 80,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE LED LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY . THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL AND…"~600 mi, complaint #810858
    • "WIRING CONNECTOR CONNECTED TO THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY MELTED. I HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY A YEAR EARLIER TO ITS FAILURE. UPON THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK MY CAR TO CALLING THE DEALER, IT WAS MENTIONED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BY THE DEALER. THE ME…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1400230
    • "HEAD LIGHTS, A/C, POWER WINDOWS, SUN ROOF, WIPERS AND HORN ALL STOPPED WORKING AT ONCE.IT WAS ON A HOT DAY. THEN ALL JUST STARTED WORKING AFTER CAR HAD COOLED DOWN. SAME THING HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, SOMETIME IN LATE JUNE OR EARLY JULY 2017. I TOOK THE CAR TO…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1564346
    • "THIS AND OTHER MODELS OF KIA/HYUNDAI HAVE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH AUTO TRANS A4CF1/2 ELECTRICA HARNESS THAT FAILS PREMATURELY AND FREQUENTLY, INCLUDING TEMP SENSOR INTERGRATED INTO IT. CAR NOW HAS 94K AND CODE P0713 FOR THE TEMP SENSOR FAILURE AND RECENTLY P0…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1553128
    • "A LOUD POPPING SOUND GOES OFF AND THE RADIO SYSTEM AND SPEAKERS ALL GO OUT WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO CAUSING RANDOM LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO TURN OFF THE PANEL ONES. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAI…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1641454
  5. #5

    brake hydraulics

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "4-8-10 AAA TELLS ME THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING WHEN THEY CHANGED A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT BRAKES AND PATCH TIRE. DEALERSHIP DID NO REPAIRS. 4-26-10 2010 KIA SOUL SE2, BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN CAR AHEAD STOPPED CAUSING MY C…"~1,902 mi, complaint #787140
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN SOUTH FLORIDA I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING MY 2010 KIA SOUL TO STOP DURING A PANIC STOP SITUATION. I AM OVER 210 LBS. AND HAD TO PUT EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH I HAVE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I AM 63 AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE 15 AND…"~6,500 mi, complaint #858311
    • "TAKATA RECALL : SOMOS PROPIETARIOS DESDE MAYO DEL 2012 HASTA LA FECHA VAN 3 OCACIONES QUE LE REPARAMOS LOS FRENOS Y CONSTANTEMENTE HUELE A QUEMADO Y SE LE PRENDE LUZ DE CHECK ENGINE POR LO MENOS UNA VEZ POR MES DESDE QUE LO TENEMOS Y SE LE APAGA A LA SEMANA O…"~17,800 mi, complaint #1506629
    • "THE STOP LAMP SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, DESPITE THIS EXACT PART BEING RECALLED BACK IN 2013. THE STOP LAMPS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED."~132,592 mi, complaint #1255558
    • "THE BRAKES ARE NOT BRAKING THE WAY THEY SHOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN STALLED TO STOP I WAS ON I-285 GOING HOME TO JASPER GA ALSO I'VE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CAN GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR W OUT BRAKE ON"~158,000 mi, complaint #1613743
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 4 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE WHEELS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AFTER ONE YEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY ONLY OFFERED TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. A DAY LAT…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1167052
    • "MY CAR IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING. IT IS REALLY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND I CHECKED IT TWICE THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WITH KIA AND THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AS THIS STALLING FEELS LIKE A POWERFUL STONEWALL IMPACT. IT…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1373769
    • "The contact owns a 2010 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, a semi-truck entered her lane of traffic which forced her vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway. The contact stated that the truck did not hit her vehicle; however, the vehic…"~280,000 mi, complaint #1817196
  7. #7

    transmission manual clutch

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "MANUAL CLUTCH DEFECTIVE AT ONLY 13,300 MILES. CHECKED ONLINE, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH KIA, MANY WITH EVEN LESS MILES. APPARENTLY KIA KNOWS THE CLUTCH IS DEFECTIVE AS THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL (6) OF THE CLUTCHES PARTS IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR'…"~13,300 mi, complaint #989658
    • "WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH OUT TO START MOVING THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD METALLIC MOANING SOUND. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND GETTING READY TO MORE THAN LIKELY BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSI…"~16,000 mi, complaint #920355
    • "MY WIFE AND I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2010 KIA SOUL ON 01/21/2012. SHE WAS DRIVING IT TO THE CAR WAS AND AS SHE WAS TRYING TO MAKE HER WAY TO THE ENTRANCE SHE WAS PULLED UP TOO CLOSELY. SHE BACKED UP THEN SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND AS SHE BEGAN TO DRIVE THE VEH…"~45,000 mi, complaint #901236
    • "PROBLEM STARTED AFTER HAVING CLUTCH REPLACED IN APRIL 2019. WHEN IN 2ND GEAR, CAR HESITATES AND BEHAVES AS IF IT ISN'T GETTING GAS; IE: DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING GAS. I TAKE FOOT OFF OF GAS AND THEN PUT BACK ON THE PEDAL OR HAVE TO CHANGE GEARS BEFORE…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1648997
  8. #8

    other

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "KIA SOUL 2010 PURCHASED IN MARCH 2010. THE CLIPS TO MY FRONT BUMPER HAVE ALL BROKEN AND IT WAS GLUED ON SO IT WILL STAY ON UNTIL OUR MECHANIC PUT BOLTS TO HOLD IT BETTER. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT FIX IT SINCE THEY STATED I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WAS NOT IN ON…"~7,500 mi, complaint #822050
    • "I HAD MY 2010 KIA SOUL PARKED IN MY GARAGE AFTER ARRIVING HOME WITH IT ON 9/1/10, AT ABOUT 715 PM. AT 8 PM, MY DAUGHTER NOTICED SMOKE AND WE FOUND IT WAS THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BOTH OF MY CARS, MY GARAGE AND MY HOUSE AND EVERYTHI…"~20,000 mi, complaint #819267
    • "BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR STARTED TO SMOKE. MAIN SMOKE WAS COMING FROM SPEAKER AREA. WINDOWS WERE DOWN. EXITED CAR IN PARKING LOT AND BY THIS TIME, DOOR STARTED TO MELT. SOON THEREAFTER, DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR WAS STILL NEAR OTHER…"~20,000 mi, complaint #884999
  9. #9

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK RADIAL TUBELESS TIRES, LINE SIZE P225/45/R18 TIRES AND DOT NUMBER: 5MWKELH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED BUBBLING ON THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. TH…"~15,000 mi, complaint #879782
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL WITH NEXEN CLASS A PREMIUM TIRES, SIZE P205/55 R/16 AND DOT NUMBER AE8K. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON MARCH 15, 2010 AND ON JUNE 15, 2010. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER…"~16,933 mi, complaint #862618
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL EXCLAIM UHP TIRES, SIZE: 195/50/ZR16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE LOST PRESSURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRI…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1221153
  10. #10

    transmission automatic

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED DURING THE TRAVEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER DISPENSING FUEL INTO THE FUEL T…"~800 mi, complaint #768754
    • "ON AUGUST 5, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 2010 KIA SOUL WHEN IT BROKE DOWN. THE ENGINE GOT STUCK IN SECOND AND IT TOOK FOR EVER TO GET TO THIRD DESPITE PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE IT DID IT WOULD JERK HER AROUND. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THEY…"~9,486 mi, complaint #737785
    • "MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SEEMD TO SHIFT DOWN TO 3RD GEAR ALMOST HAVING THE CAR BEHIND US REAREND US. HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL THE TIME IF WE GO OVER 65 OR 70."~87,000 mi, complaint #1225269
    • "THE TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING AFTER 3RD OR 4TH GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SHIFT HARD AND NOT RIGHT FROM TAKE OFF. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION."~95,500 mi, complaint #1416105
  11. #11

    brake booster

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I EXPORTED MY KIA SOUL 2010 TO GERMANY DUE TO MILITARY MOVEMENT ORDER. AS THE CAR IS NOW REGISTERED IN GERMANY; I DID NOT GET ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM KIA US ABOUT THE RECALL SC098AM REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, RATED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY GE…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1680994
    • "I WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT NONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE LIGHTING UP WHEN I BRAKED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY KIA SOUL TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND A FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH. THIS WAS THE SAME FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH THAT WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL IN 2013. THI…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1210697
  12. #12

    steering electric assist

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK IN THE TURNING POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WOULD CONTINUE TO OCCUR I…"~4,000 mi, complaint #832585
    • "KIA SOUL STEERING ASSEMBLY FAILURE (TEMPORARY) WHEN TURNING THE 2010 KIA SOUL SHARPLY (AS FAR AS IT WILL GO EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT) AND ATTEMPTING TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL QUICKLY AFTER TURNING RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENING TO WHERE YOU CANNO…"~11,258 mi, complaint #842306
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY TYPICAL ROUTE TO WORK AND MID TURN, WITH MY CAR ON, ON A CITY ROAD, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I HAD TO STOP MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. VERY SCARY THING TO HAPPEN, VERY WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN A…"~199,000 mi, complaint #1723214
  13. #13

    steering rack mechanical

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY VEER OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. A…"~700 mi, complaint #807575
  14. #14

    suspension arms and bushings

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I AM AN OWNER OF A 2010 KIA SOUL, PURCHASED IN JULY 2009. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOISTURE ON ROAD, CAR COULD BARELY HANDLE AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE TRACTION LIGHT AND LOW AIR PRESSURE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY CAME ON AND OFF. WAS TOLD IT WAS "NOT A PROB…"~500 mi, complaint #864670
    • "1. STATIONARY - A PIECE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE OFF. MY HUSBAND WENT TO CHECK WHAT WEIRD NOISE THE CAR WAS MAKING WHEN HE TURNED THE WHEEL FULLY AS WE WERE TRYING TO EXIT OUR PARALLELED PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. WHEN HE OPENED THE…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1740542
    • "I NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM BECAUSE IT'S LOOSE, AND WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED 1,000 MILES AGO."~101,000 mi, complaint #1653482
  15. #15

    unintended acceleration

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I OWN A PRE-OWNED 2010 KIA SOUL! WITH APPROXIMATELY 47K MILES, CLEAR TITLE AND NO ACCIDENTS. ON SUNDAY 12/29/13 MY CAR EXPERIENCED SUA (SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION). I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, APPROACHING A ROTARY, WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED…"~47,000 mi, complaint #1029408
    • "AUTO SE ACELER CAUSANDO ACCIDENTE. ENTRANDO AL ESTACIONAMIENTO SE ACELER CHOCANDO CON LA PARED DEL CONDOMINIO"~78,000 mi, complaint #1514879
    • "ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, ONCE WHEN THE CRUISE WAS ON AND ONCE WHEN IT WASN'T. THE KIA SOUL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING OR SLOW DOWN TO LESS THAN 20 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE OR FOUR LANE BOTH TIMES AN…"~149,000 mi, complaint #1476190
  16. #16

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK, AND CANNOT BE STARTED DUE TO SAFETY FEATURE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START CAR IN GEAR. TEMPORARY FIX WAS DISCOVERED TO BE SHIFT ALL THE WAY TO 2ND GEAR, THEN BACK TO PARK. TAKING TO KIA DEALER TOMORROW TO HAVE 'SWITCH' CHEC…"~136,649 mi, complaint #1611807
  17. #17

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASE A 2010 KIA SOUL ! ON 12/31/2009. SOON AFTER I NOTICES HOW EASILY THE PILLARS AND PARTS OF THE DOOR PANEL BECAME SCRATCHED AND NICKED BUT THE SEAT BELT. REPORT IT TO KIA USA AND WAS ISSUED A KIA CONSUMER # K1695129 AND WAS INFORMED THAT A FIX WOULD B…"~2,200 mi, complaint #808415
  18. #18

    engine internal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE 2010 SOUL HAD A MAJOR FAILURE WHEN IT IMPACTED A TREE AT 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO LEAKING FLUIDS, SIGNS OF SMOKE OR FIRE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES LATER AND BURNED TOTALLY UP BEFORE FIRE CREWS COULD GET THERE TO PUT IT OUT. THE ORIGIN OF T…"~20,000 mi, complaint #809262
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1532115
  19. #19

    infotainment head unit

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AUDIO & BLUETOOTH SYSTEM HAVE FAILED. AUDIO SYSTEM PREVIOUSLY FAILED IN DECEMBER 2011. AUDIO SYSTEM JUST BLACKED OUT . DEALERSHIP REPLACED AUDIO SYSTEM AT THAT TIME UNDER WARRANTY. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A LOUD SCRAMBLED SOUND WHEN RADIO IS TURNED ON AND BL…"~43,625 mi, complaint #1024698
    • "I WAS PLAYING THE RADIO, WHEN THE SOUND WENT OUT. NOW WHENEVER I TURN THE RADIO ON, I SOMETIMES HEAR A POPPING SOUND AS IF IT IS GOING TO TURN ON BUT THEN IT GOES SILENT AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION."~74,500 mi, complaint #1644940
  20. #20

    power windows and locks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL, AND 8 DAYS LATER SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL, DOOR LOCK, AND WINDOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE WINDOW MOTOR. THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS UNPLUGGED AND I WA…"~650 mi, complaint #809040
    • "PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY INITIALLY FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS AND NOW DOES NOT UNLOCK AT ALL WHEN USING THE KEY FOB AND SINCE THERE IS NO MANUAL KEY-LOCK CYLINDER ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR, THIS FRONT DOOR CANNOT BE…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1262571
  21. #21

    stability and traction control

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AS I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 IT HAD STARTED TO RAIN. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH IN A 70 MPH ZONE WHEN AN 18 WHEELER WENT BY ME GOING 85 MPH OR MORE. IT PUSHED WATER ON THE ROAD OVER INTO MY LANE AND I FELT MY WHEELS BEGIN TO MO…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1341142
  22. #22

    steering column

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL AND HAD IT ABOUT TWO MONTHS WHEN WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. I TOOK PICTURES, AS I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE WHEELS, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I KEPT PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS SOMET…"~4,100 mi, complaint #803704
  23. #23

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I RECENTLY CAME OUT TO GET INTO MY HUSBANDS KIA TO FIND A FLAT TIRE. WHILE THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL EVENT IT WAS EXPENSIVE. I PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, AND HAD THEM MOUNTED. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THE UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN ON THE BACK TIRES WHICH I HAD NOTICED AS…"~87,761 mi, complaint #1033187
  24. #24

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was driving down the interstate on my way to work when my check engine light turned on and began flashing rapidly. I then began to get over to the shoulder and into safety when I heard what sounded like a loud dropping sound come from the engine and smoke st…"complaint #1938280
  25. #25

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I bought car being financed in sac,ca. August 8, 2023. Took back referred to mechanic round corner. Brake rotor issues fixed front this was August 14 noise still exist took back turned back rotors scraping noise pulling to left took to other automotive repairs…"complaint #1944155
  26. #26

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Gas tank mounting are rusting and are not the correctly plated "complaint #2136005
  27. #27

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FACTORY CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN USE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. INSTEAD THE ENGINE RACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN THE CAR SPEED AT 45 MPH. I TESTED THE CRUISE CONTROL THE NEXT DAY 2 TIMES AT DIFFE…"~10,805 mi, complaint #840041
  28. #28

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE KIA, AFTER THAT WAS FIXED THE CAR WAS STILL NOT RUNNING RIGHT, IT WAS SLUGGISH AND USING A LOT OF GAS. THE HEAD WAS CRACKED, AND SEVERAL OF THE VALVES WERE MESSED UP AND EVENTUALLY THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO…"~13,248 mi, complaint #885873
  29. #29

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON; DIAGNOSED AS CANISTER PURGE VALVE."~72,500 mi, complaint #1699857
  30. #30

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH A PIECE OF METAL ON THE ROAD HIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE STOPPED AT A GASOLINE STATION HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL WAS SPILLING BACK OUT AND ASSUMED THAT THE METAL FRACTU…"~15,500 mi, complaint #841404
  31. #31

    horn

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY HORN DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I ALMOST WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT TRYING TO PREVENT A CAR SIDESWIPING ME TO CROSS LANES - I KEPT TRYING TO HONK THE HORN. IT WOULD NOT WORK SO I HAD TO JAM ON MY BRAKES AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED TOO. I WROTE TO KIA AND GOT N…"~29,904 mi, complaint #1302881
  32. #32

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE FACTORY PROVIDED KEYS FOR THE CAR ARE INTEGRATED REMOTE WIRELESS ENTRY KEY FOBS AND CONCEALED IGNITION KEY. TO REVEAL THE KEY, A BUTTON ON THE FOB IS PRESSED AND A SPRING LOADED ARM ROTATES THE KEY OUT OF THE FOB SO IT CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE STEERING COL…"~60,000 mi, complaint #975334
  33. #33

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE SIGNALS CONTINUE TO NOT WORK. THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AND I AM…"complaint #1194312
  34. #34

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "BRAND NEW KIA SOUL 2010 - LESS THAN 500 MILES. ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DOOR PANEL WHILE DRIVING. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED DOOR PANEL. LED LIGHT TRANSMITTER IN SPEAKERS SHORTED AND MELTED PLASTIC INSIDE DOOR. RESPONSE FROM KIA (ADVISED BY DEALER) WAS "D…"~500 mi, complaint #807220
  35. #35

    paint and clearcoat

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL ! ON 12/31/2009 AND WITHIN 2 MONTHS I NOTICED 10 -12 PAINT CHIPS ON THE FRONT AND HOOD OF THE CAR. I DRIVE IN A CITY THAT ONLY SEE SOME SNOW AND SOME SALTED. SALTED ROADS SHOULD OF NOT CAUSED THIS MUCH PAINT CHIPPING. I ADDED A PAIN…"~2,200 mi, complaint #808417
  36. #36

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I AM THE OWNER OF A 2010 SOUL. THE CAR ROLLED DOWN A HILL IN 1ST GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TWICE, THE 2ND TIME INTO A RIVER. NOW EVERY TIME IT IS DAMP OR COLD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STICKS [STAYS ON WHEN THE LEVER IS DISENGAGED] AND I END UP DRIVING WITH T…"~21,300 mi, complaint #830087
  37. #37

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED AND THE BRAKES MADE A NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED, CAUSING THE BRAKES NOT TO ENGAGE AT A NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIM…"~60,000 mi, complaint #992193
  38. #38

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED!"~144,124 mi, complaint #1552319
  39. #39

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2010 KIA SOUL FROM A LOCAL VEHICLE RENTAL FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SET AT AN ANGLE AND WAS ABNORMALLY SMALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ALSO THE SAME. THE CONTACT STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SHE BARELY MISSED A…"complaint #802943
  40. #40

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEM COULD NOT BE REPLACED…"~36,000 mi, complaint #930106
  41. #41

    wiper and washer

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONING, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGED. ALSO, WHEN USING THE VENT TO DIRECT AIR TO THE FLOOR, CONDENSATION WOULD OCCUR ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1130770

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA SOUL directly.