10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,638 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.

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problem #6

Jun 192021

Soul

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. During the crash, the front end sustained severe damage and the vehicle was destroyed but the driver-side air bag did not deploy and the front driver-side seat belt malfunctioned and did not secure the occupant causing the driver's head to make contact with the steering wheel. The driver sustained a head injury that required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined and the local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 232018

Soul

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. While driving 10 mph, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash with another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt failed to securely restrain the contact. The contact sustained whiplash and muscle strains, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed by the insurance adjuster that the subframe was bent and the chassis was fractured due to the crash. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #4

Jul 312017

Soul

  • 75,000 miles
I keep having alot of issues with the center rear seatbelt. It's been fixed before and still locks up so it won't pull out or go in. Very irritating to keep having this issue. Which now, isn't under warranty.

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #3

Aug 262015

Soul

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the rear middle seat belt failed to tighten. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #2

May 022014

Soul

  • 3,850 miles
Shortly after buying my new 2014 Kia Soul in March 2014, I noticed that acceleration delayed usually from a stop light, stop sign or stop/go traffic and would need to pump gas for car to move then it will take off quick and almost become out of control, also feels as though lose power steering and proper braking. Dealer service could not find any error codes on scan so no fix. After 2nd attempt to look at problem I was told by service manager that if I was driving in eco mode that could be the issue. If Kia knows this why even offer that mode? I also have a problem with the passenger front seat belt that only allows slight movement before it locks tight and does not retract without unlatching completely. Upon inspecting other cars on lot with service manager we found the optima, Soul, sportage all do the same thing on passenger front only allowing extending the seatbelt/or movement about halfway forward before it locks and will not retract. The gas mileage listed on window tag was over-inflated at 27 mpg it seems to average closer to 23-24 mpg. Finally I was in an accident which I rear-ended someone at stoplight and while I felt there should have been plenty of time to stop the brakes did not feel as though they worked at all, the car just kept going, the weather was dry. It was suggested by a brake & tire specialist to go to dealer for full inspection, but I hesitate to return to Kia do to all my other issues that can't be figured out because the diagnostics can never find an error code. I will be taking my car in for a complete tear down by a 3rd party brake specialist for brake/sensor/master cylinder inspection as I don't even feel safe to drive this new car with approx 17,000 miles. I have since opened a case with Kia consumer assistance due to the many ongoing issues.

- San Bernardino , CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 312014

Soul 4-cyl

  • 3,980 miles
As I was driving I had a sudden stop and my child was thrown from her seat as far as to the middle console from the back middle seatbelt. Upon investigating why this happened I noticed that the seatbelt retention was improperly working. As you pull it out it will not retract back into the seat as designed. I was scared and hysterical because lord forbid if there was a collision my child could have been ejected from the vehicle and thrown out the front windshield. I called the dealership to see if could get it in the shop that day March 31,2014 and they were so swamped they made me an appointment for today April 2, 2014. I am so disappointed in the way this situation was handled on today the service dept. Played me in saying that it was tangled within the seat. There was no such thing the seatbelt moved freely locked at some points and didn't lock at some points I have video footage to show just minutes before taking my vehicle into the dealership right in front of the dealership. This type of safety issue needs to be rectified immediately before someone gets seriously hurt. On this specific day was the only time I used the middle seatbelt. I can't stress enough as to how much I'm a stickler for safety and especially seatbelt safety that this has happened in a brand new 2014 vehicle off the showroom floor. I bought the car on around February 22, 2014 I have been seen in evergreen Kia 3 times as of today since I've owned the vehicle. Please don't let this complaint slip or fall into the cracks.I will follow through on all paper work filed for this and other future safety issues with the vehicle. I may be contacted at any time of day for any questions pertaining to this safety issue. This is major because seatbelts are made to enhance the safety of a life if worn properly in any vehicle. As I research Kia has had a recall on the sportage and Kia Soul for 2011 & 2012.

- Hammond , IN, USA