This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 2012 Kia Soul+ that has 80,000 miles on it and has started making the highly complained about clunking noise and shifting/loose sensation in the upper steering column when turning wheel back and forth from left to right whether stationary or driving. It has also for some time been experiencing the shaking steering wheel at around 80 mph that has complaints. I am a former mechanic and through reading all the similar complaints and seeing symptom/repair videos I have diagnosed my clunking steering column to be caused by a failed steering coupler. This is a problem that has been recalled by Kia on other vehicles but not on 2012 Soul. I am interested to find out if this coupler is also behind my shaking steering wheel at higher speeds. Shaking is not due to tires, wheels, or alignment/parts problems as problem was same before I just put new tires on and had balance/alignment done. Also was no different between several tire rotations of old tires. This steering coupler issue should have Kia recalling all vehicles that have reports of this failure. I am loosing faith in Kia motors. I should not have to replace this part on my time/money.
Car has just over 60K miles. Knocking in the steering wheel area when turning the steering wheel left or right. The knocking occurs while driving at any speed, highway or city streets. If sitting in neutral with engine on, turn the steering wheel left or right and you feel and hear the knocking sound.
There has been a clicking noise when turning the wheel to either side, whiling driving or in still mode. It seems as this has also been an issue with later motels as their was a recall involving the steering system for years 2014 - 2016. From research, there have been many talk from 2012 Kia Soul owners having to have their coupler in the steering wheel column replaced due to possible safely issues.
2012 Kia soulwith 15,000 miles: Steering makes a clunking noise and has a lot of play in it. Even when sitting still. When driving it also has play and makes clunking noise. Took it to dealership and was told the coupler is bad, and that its a common problem. The fee to fix is $200, and not covered by warranty because I'm not the original owner, even though the mileage is so low. Other Kia Souls have recalls, this year should as well.
- Sebring, FL, USA
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My steering wheel started making this clunking noise it had 50000 mile on it, took it to my Kia dealer, the told me it was a flexible coupling and they wanted to charge to replace it that my warranty ran out, I said thats a safety issue they said its not, I just got my car and went home.I foynd out that alot of Kia models had that problem and the were given a call back letter. It make no sense its the excat same part has the one called back, pluss if it doesnt get fixed I could lose my sterring the car has 52000 miles on. How can they recall model after 2013 and not 2012.
My steering wheel started making this clunking noise it had 44,507 mile on it, took it to my Kia dealer, the told me it was a flexible coupling and they wanted to charge to replace it that my warranty ran out, I said thats a safety issue they said its not, I just got my car and went home.I foynd out that alot of Kia models had that problem and the were given a call back letter. It make no sense its the excat same part has the one called back, pluss if it doesnt get fixed I could lose my sterring the car has 44000 miles on
Steering wheel loose and clicking while driving. Felt loose while stationery. Local auto shop replaced mdps flex coupling. It was totally worn out. Car had less than 39,000 miles. Apparently 2014 vehicles were recalled for this. Also Kia optima's flex joints were replaced free at the Kia dealership. This Kia Soul unes the fame flex joint.
The steering became very loose and started clanking when the steering wheel was turned in either direction while in motion on a city street travelling at less than 40 mph. The car had less than 80K miles on it at the time.
I recently noticed when stopped that the steers no wheel makes a clunking sound when steer no left to right and back again and has a little play like it's not catching. Also I recently had brake lights replaced and it quickly burned out on the bottom half of the drivers side brake light.
At 58,000 miles the Soul started to make a creaking sound when turning wheel sharply to right or left. I took it in to Kia service at Kia West in orlando. They diagnosed that rack and pinion was defective and had to be replaced = $997.09 (including the alignment it needed afterwards) -- I know the 2013 Kia Souls were recalled for safety for this very same problem and even though there are numerous complaints - Kia has not recalled the 2012 Kia Soul for rack and pinion defects.
"clunking" play in steering began recently which is reportedly failure of the steering coupler.. Kia recalled 2014-26 twice and there is an extended warranty for replacement of option 11-14 optima's.. nothing for 2012 Soul except web pages of complaints of same problem. Cross referencing the part numbers shows that all these vehicles, including models outside their recall, use the same part yet Kia is telling 2012 owners to pay for it out of pocket.. this safety hazard and a failure by the manufacturer that needs to be addressed immediately.
When stopped the steering wheel makes a loud clunking noise when move from right to left and back.. while driving has a back and forth clunking movement felling as if the vehicle was being drive over a road laced with small bumps in it. It would appear that the mdps flex coupling has deteriorated and presents a major safety issue. The 2014 Kia Soul was recalled for this same problem.this is a major life threatening issue.
My vehicle started making a clunking/clicking sound from the steering column area when turning the steering wheel right or left. The noise/sound quickly started getting louder in a short amount of time/mileage. The steering also started getting looser as the sound increased. This occurred both while setting still or while in motion. The repair shop had to replace a faulty steering coupler (56315-2kooofff) for about $225. After the replacement the sound/noise and looseness are gone.
Flexible coupling is damaged, steering wheel noisy, rattling noise, worry about safety steering might not work and cause accident or death due to malfunction. Went to dealership and told me it would cost $200 and it is likely that it would do it again. Very disappointed with Kia vehicles, definitely would never buy a Kia vehicle again.
Steering noise caused be a bad piece in steering linkage. Plastic piece which makes steering loose and possible loss of steering. Kia admitted to me it's a problem which is common. But not covered by warranty after $50 miles. This is a safety issue and they are aware of it. It demands a recall for safety reasons. It also is on hyundi products. Safety issue! factory aware of danger! recall mandated!
Knocking sound when turning steering wheel slightly to either left or right. I was told it is a bad coupler within the steering column that needs to be replaced and it will probably become a recall because the dealership has had many customers with the same issue.
Steering wheel loose and clicking while driving. Felt loose while stationery. Local auto shop replaced mdps flex coupling. It was totally worn out. Car had less than 37,000 miles. Apparently 2014 vehicles were recalled for this.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orlando, FL, USA