10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 2
Average Mileage:
40,126 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2012 Kia Soul steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Soul:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #150

Apr 012024

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

No warning but the steering is shaking a going out on turns. It almost didn't turn properly in oncoming traffic with children in the car. Kia refused to fix the "star flexible coupling" from their recall: WTY013 or CHAO74Revision2 or the MDPS flex coupling replacement was not done by by Kia as the allowed owners get a free repair. We didn't get notice and now the Kia dealers refuse to fix this. Kia refuse to fix it or help. For the steering going out because the steering is shakey and is not stable, its unsafe, risky and my children are in the car. The repair notice was not received at the previous owner and we bought car and moved to FL. I want to complain that Kia will not honour its recall and fix this. I want to use Kia of Ft. Walton Beach, FL for the repair. Kia company has my case number [XXX] on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Niceville , FL, USA

problem #149

Apr 102024

Soul

  • miles
My Kia Soul started having play in the steering and sounding clunky when driving. I took it in today to Jeff Eyler Kia on Mitchell Ave Cincinnati Ohio to do recalls and to check this out. They said I should replace the whole steering wheel. Online there are many complaints about this steering problem yet you have not made Kia to recall. It seems that it is a plastic part coupler yet the Kia dealer service is trying to get me to replace the whole column. What is being done about all these complaints. I see on the complaint website there has been 6 accidents and 2 deaths. Please do something.

- Cincinnati , OH, USA

problem #148

Apr 032024

Soul

  • miles
Despite being assured for years by KIA that my vehicle was not affected by this recall, I received a recall notice in DECEMBER 2023 for the HECU. Now it is April, and my vehicle still is not repaired because KIA STILL has not supplied the part required to fix this safety issue. Because of the high theft issue of my vehicle, I cannot park it outside and KIA is now telling me I cannot park the vehicle inside because of fire hazard. I have had to pay a higher insurance premium just to keep my car insured and have even been denied insurance by Farmers and Progressive. I am afraid to drive my car and how am I supposed to afford another car? Some dealers will not even consider the car as a trade in.

- Ramah, NM, USA

problem #147

Mar 312024

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering clicking, vibrations,

- Warr Acres, OK, USA

problem #146

Aug 012023

Soul

  • miles
The steering flex coupler is worn down, making a loud clicking noise when the steering wheel is moved. The wheel shakes a lot when pressing the brake and the steering wheel begins to shake.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #145

Jan 012023

Soul

  • miles
I noticed severe overreaction in steering column to any bumps in the road. Examples are: Jerking of Wheel, Loud Clunking Noises, Ticking Sound when Turning at Slow Speeds. My mechanic immediately said Steering Coupling needs replaced. I then researched on NHTSA website. I have one question: HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE A RECALL IS MADE?

- Wittmann, AZ, USA

problem #144

Sep 022023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This involves the MDPS steering wheel coupler. Spoke with Kia care center 12/20/23 Amy said notice was sent to owners in 2019 I NEVER RECIEVED ANY NOTICE ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE A VERY LOUND CLUNKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE I HAVE OWED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2016. Just purchased another vehicle in October 2023 because of the Kia problems. Kia is NOT going to fix the problem!! And i have another recall on the car so it is parked at my neighbors house for fear of it catching on fire!! I am paying for full coverage insurance on a vehicle i can't drive or sell!!

- Orange Beach, AL, USA

problem #143

Dec 072018

Soul

  • miles
Steering is very shakey when going over

- Brookville, OH, USA

problem #142

Jul 172022

Soul

  • miles
The steering column makes a loud clunking noise when operating the vehicle. Even in park when you turn the wheel you here the noise. When driving there is a definite shaking noise andthe wheel feels very loose which makes steering hard to control. I have made an appointment at the dealership to be inspected and estimate of repair. The car has 43.798 original miles. It is now only driven to keep the battery charged. We are expecting a full explanation of from Kia.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #141

Aug 012023

Soul

  • miles
The steering coupler is worn on on my car. It causes the car to vibrate and a clunking sound to happen when driving. This is a common problem with Kias but isn't covered by a recall.

- Lake Mills, WI, USA

problem #140

Nov 102023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engines makes a weird chatter noise all the time

- Bismarck , MO, USA

problem #139

Sep 142023

Soul

  • miles
The steering wheel began to shake violently at highway speed and when making turns. When stopped, the steering wheel make a clunking noise when moved from side to side. Mechanic said it was a worn flexible steering coupler in the steering wheel power steering unit. The car is dangerous to drive and only has 80,000 miles on it. I am told this issue is common in KIA Souls and should be subject to a recall.,

- Beachwood, NJ, USA

problem #138

Jul 012023

Soul

  • miles
Power steering making clicking noise and loose steering

- Seaford , NY, USA

problem #137

May 152023

Soul

  • miles
Steering column rattles and makes cracking noise

- Seaford , NY, USA

problem #136

Jul 102023

Soul

  • miles
The vehicles steering wheel makes a clunking sound and there is a lot of play in it. It makes noise from left to right and vibrates at higher speeds. I have to drive with both hands gripping the wheel to hold it steady. I drive on the freeway at least once a week to visit my son and grandkids and now to nervous to drive it as it-??s an hour drive. I am a senior and cannot afford to pay out of pocket. I-??ve had my 2012 Kia Soul since 2013. I bought it used with 22,000 miles on it. I now have reached the 100,000 mile mark. I paid $20,000 for this vehicle over time and now I need Kia to step up and pay for this defect. Since it-??s happening in almost all their cars it must be their fault. I don-??t understand why they are not fixing the 2012-??s but all other years are covered. That is a mistake that will kill someone soon and then they will have a lot more problems than they are facing now. They recently offered me a steering wheel lock so that my car can-??t be stolen, that-??s funny cause I don-??t think that it would be worth stealing cause the steering is already compromised. Please get them to step up and take care of all their customers as it-??s their fault. The part is a little rubber star thing that costs $8 but labor is 400 dollars and up. Thank you for listening.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #135

Aug 252023

Soul

  • miles
2012 KIA SOUL - Steering Column makes horrible clicking / shaking noise when turning wheel. Car only has 36k miles on it. KIA has identified this repair nationally already and offered to extend warranty to 10 years / unlimited miles due to a failed MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) FLEXIBLE COUPLING. Turns out mine conveniently failed right outside of this 10 year mark and they allegedly mailed a letter in 2019 to a home address that I moved from 5 years ago, even though I have been to the KIA dealership many times since, was never told of this and they had my updated address for sure. I firmly believe this is a safety issue and life or death situation as this is causing my car to shake on the roads / highway and for the steering handling to be extremely frightening to me when driving. KIA HQ was called by me today on this and refuses to step up. They simply told me no exception and this is a customer paid repair. This repair is likely $ 500 and I am certainly not going to accept this when this should be a recall as it impacts steering !!!

- North Bellmore, NY, USA

problem #134

Jun 012023

Soul

  • miles
Beginning of June 2023 started noticing a problem with steering wheel, rattles and feels loose when turning left or right. Kia dealership said its the flex coupling needs to be replaced can get worse to the point can't steer car. This should be a recall on this car. I've never had a car that had problem with steering, can be pretty serious if it can cause an accident. Im getting it inspected, will cost approximately $400 to replace.

- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA

problem #133

May 012023

Soul

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was an abnormal clicking and grinding sound coming from the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel drifted from one side to the next out of the hand of the contact. The steering wheel turned partially in one direction and aggressively before returning to center. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #132

Jul 102003

Soul

  • miles
In our 2012 Kia soul, the steering wheel is giving out and sticking resulting in the wheel, not being able to be controlled by the driver as it-??s being yanked out of their hands. This is especially dangerous on the highway where there was almost an accident when my daughter was driving, the car and the car wheel stuck, and then abruptly yanked out of her hand. The Kia souls 2014 through 2016 have recalls on their steering wheel and the same issue is happening with our 2012 Kia soul. When we contacted Kia dealership and Kia customer service they told us that they would not help us, because it was not recalled and there was no current warranty for it past 98,000 miles but online it says 100,000 miles. Even though we are the third owner of the car we have received the car from her grandparents and have fold all recall information and then keeping tabs on keeping the car up-to-date to make sure that is mechanically sound, and always in good condition. We are scared for the dangerous situation that the steering wheel is putting us in to the point where we are not comfortable driving the vehicle. The Kia dealerships reached out to you about the safety concerns not only told us that they would charge us an obscene amount of money to bring it in for a diagnostic, but that they would not cover the cost to repair it, even if they found that it was related to the recall of the 2014 2016. The 2012s have the same steering an engine as the 2014 and 2016. We fear for the safety of our family, and Kia will not even look at it without charging us, and said that even if it was related to the same problem that they would not allowed to be covered under warranty, because there is not a specific warranty on the 2012 Kia soul model. I am reaching out to report that the same problem is happening with the 2012 version of the Kia soul in terms of the steering problems from recall on the 2014 and 2016 Kia souls. This is extremely dangerous and could weren-??t a lawsuit if an accident happens

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #131

Jun 022012

Soul

  • miles
Steering column lock. I took the vehicle back complaining about the steering wheel having a rough spot in it they act like they could not find nothing while under warranty. Over the years it's progressively getting worse now the steering wheel will not lock when you pull the key out. While driving the car you can notice a click in the wheel in both directions where the key lock is trying to lock back in the position while driving. I called Kia and complained they said the vehicle was out of warranty how many other people has had this problem. When driving down the road I can feel in the wheel every time I move it right or left. My problem is what do you do if a steering wheel locks up running 60 70 mph down the road is other Kia owners having this problem has anybody been killed or because KEA is ignoring the problem with steering columns. The lock hasn't worked in two or three years now it is getting to the point that it has a real noticeable click and kink in the steering wheel. I think the government should check in on a KEA and make sure it's not an ongoing problem with other KEA's.

- Flatwoods , KY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?