10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 39,860 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Upon driving there is a clanking noise coming from steering wheel advise by mechanic that he was aware of this noise and that to contact Kia as there was a recall looked up and advised by Kia no. Afraid to drive car as it sounds that the steering wheel is going to come off
- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA
Steering is loose and makes clunk sound. Called Kia and said no recalls"???" out of warranty. This is a accident waiting to happen.
- Miami, FL, USA
My steering is clunky and has a lot of movement-play I took it to my dealer and he told me I have to replace parts for my car is out of warranty but with after researching this I would assume that Kia would have recalled this as it is a dangerous function to go wrong
- Ft Myers, FL, USA
2012 Kia Soul with 20,000 miles: Steering makes a clunking noise and has a lot of play in it. Even when sitting still, the steering wheel makes a clunking noise and has too much play. When driving it also has play and makes clunking noise. Other Kia Souls have recalls, this year should also.
- Lutz, FL, USA
About three weeks ago, while sitting in the car letting it warm up and while driving on the city streets I heard a cluncking sound in the sterering column when turing left and right and the sound is present currently. I am afraid the steering wheel will lock up or come off while I am driving!
- Thibodaux, LA, USA
Dashboard lights came on and car wouldn't start. Had car towed to Kia of bowie md., who did a diagnostic and replaced electrical panel which cost estimated $200 dollars including diagnostic. Kia of bowie never called and when I finally contacted someone a week later, they stated the steering column was out and would cost approximate $2000 and that's the part. Car has only 70.000 miles.
- Takoma Park, MD, USA
The steering wheel is loose with much "play" in steering and a clicking noise from the steering lock. This happens both stationary with the car on in park and when driving. The vehicle shakes when braking. I do not have full control over the steering. When I brake at speeds over about 30mph. I have had alignment done and suspension checked and it is not apparently the issue. I now have a loud rubbing noise coming from the steering wheel when I turn left or right. The clicking and looseness and rubbing noise is present when the car is idle or being driven in city or highway.
- Fort Myers, FL, USA
The steering wheel became loose with much "play" in steering and a clicking noise from the steering lock. This happens both stationary with the car on in park and when driving. I have had alignment and suspension checked and it is not apparently the issue. Apparently the steering shaft becomes loose where it is coupled with the steering gear/rack. This loose steering is very dangerous as when steering around curves the car steering actually pulls on the road so I now go much slower around curves than is posted on speed signs to avoid loosing control of my vehicle. When I go over uneven roads or bumps the car also shifts and pulls as I do not have full control over the steering. When I brake at speeds over about 40mph I notice that there is also this same play in the steering so I make sure I am considerably a far distance behind another vehicle in order to stop slowly. I feel that this is a very dangerous problem with the 2012 Kia Soul and have noticed upon researching online that the Kia optima has a similar problem which was eventually recalled for repair. I have contacted Kia customer service as well as my Kia dealer with this complaint and was told that since my car was over the warranty miles there was nothing they could do regarding repairs.
- Deltona, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel shook. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to crown Kia (5500 34th St N, St petersburg, fl 33714 (727) 525-5785). The cause of the failure was waiting to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
- St. Petersburg, FL, USA
The steering wheel makes a clunking noise. I noticed there have been recalls issued for the steering but not yet for the 2012. Don't you think this is also a problem? I am very afraid to drive it like this. The noise happens when the car is parked and on and also when driving, and has a lot of "play" in the wheel when moving! please help!!
- Riverview, FL, USA
Steering column making popping sound. Has some play. Is same description as those file for the 2013vto 2015 model year where the yoke nut is loose allowing the rack and pinion to seperate. Happens both during stationary and motion movement of the vehicle
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
My steering wheel makes a clunking noise, and you can feel it. I am taking it to be fixed, but I noticed a recall for the same issue that does not include my model year. Should it though?
- New Port Richey, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there had been several failures that progressed since purchasing the vehicle. The radio shorted out and was replaced by the dealer (southside Kia, 9401 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, (904) 400-6650). Also, the odometer displayed an improper reading and the steering column was extremely tight, making abnormal noises. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to turn left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than three times, but the radio failed again and the driver's seat belt failed to properly restrain. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it currently remains for service. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and indicated that they would provide a follow-up response. The contact received no solution yet from the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
- Yulee, FL, USA
Took a left turn and the car made a clank noise. Now when you turn the steering wheel there is this clanking noise when you turn the wheel left and my steering wheel feels really loose. The wheel can turn some before the car starts turning. Kia recalled 2014 and 2015 for this problem. People were losing control and crashing. I am paying for this car and can't afford to park it but I am afraid I will loose my steering. Why isn't all of the Souls being recalled" I have seen where there are 10 steering complaints. Isn't one to many? especially since the 2014-2015S had these problems. Why didn't they go back farther"
- St. Cloud, FL, USA
The steering column "clunks" when turned and when driven on uneven roads. It was taken in for repairs but I was told there is nothing wrong with the steering column. Also had to replace the passenger cv joint mount.
- Clearwater, FL, USA
I own a 2012 Kia Soul. I know a recall was issued for a steering problem for 2013-15. My car has the same problem. There was a pop and my steering is loose. We called Kia and they told me I have to pay to get it fixed. It has been proven that there is a problem with the steering system on their cars. Mine now has it. It should be fixed at their expense like they did the others. The car was being driven when the pop happened and there is a lot of play in the steering. We have hardly been driving the car because we are afraid. The problem is really bad if you try to turn it to the left.
- St. Cloud, FL, USA
Steering wheel / column loose and locks up while driving on highway. Almost caused an accident. Apparently this is a historical problem with the Kia Soul as previous documentation/complaints to NHTSA and Kia. Waiting to see what coral springs Kia will do to fix their problem under warranty. 31,000 miles on vehicle 2012 Kia Soul.
- Tamarac, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the steering column made an abnormal noise and was not operable. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column and gear needed to be replaced. It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was not provided.
- Blakely, GA, USA
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving at an unknown speed, a vehicle in front depressed the brakes abruptly causing the driver to crash into the rear of the preceding vehicle. As a result, the driver merged onto oncoming traffic and crashed into two other vehicles. The driver was fatally injured. The driver of the first vehicle that was impacted also sustained fatal injuries. The front passenger in the first vehicle sustained shock trauma and the child seated in the rear sustained unknown injuries. There were two injuries in the second vehicle. All injured occupants required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where it currently was pending an inspection to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. Prior to the crashes, the front passenger side tire blew out. The dealer diagnosed that the tire needed to be replaced and it possibly encountered an object in the road, which caused the blow out. The front passenger side tire was replaced. Prior to the failure, the contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the front passenger side tire was replaced. After retrieving the vehicle, the steering wheel felt abnormal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
- Weslaco, TX, USA