10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,028 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.

2013 Kia Soul steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 6 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Nov 172018

Soul

  • 130,000 miles

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

The steering wheel is super loose and the car will veer right on its own. We took it in for an alignment ($80) and they said they have to go into steering column and diagnose and fix. They said most the parts were cheap, however the job is timely and tedious, therefore the anticipate it costing approximately $500 plus the $80 alignment....so almost $600! all of this right at christmas time, and even worse, only two months after hurricane charlie demolished our home in panama city beach, fl and surrounding areas. The mechanic told us we were lucky the steering hasn't stopped working completely and warned us to not drive it because it would stopped working at some point and we could be in major accident.

- Pc Beach, FL, USA

problem #26

Nov 152018

Soul

  • 55,000 miles
My car has 55K miles on it. I purchased it October 2013. The steering coupling just went bad and now I have to pay $500 for the repair. This complaint seems to be prevalent with this vehicle. It should be a recall. Also, the passenger side window will not go back up with driver's side control. The dealer is telling me that that is also out of warranty and that it will $350 for the repair. I'm confused... how can none of this be covered under warranty? plus, I'm still waiting for Kia miles per gallon settlement from 4 years ago. If this is they way they operate, I'll never buy another one.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #25

Nov 152018

Soul

  • 40,000 miles
In the last couple of days, while making turns either left or right or while parked if you move the steering wheel left or right you feel a definite clunking in the steering. Prior to this new development the steering has always been smooth. My vehicle has only approximately 40,000 mile on it. I see there are many others with this same problem. I see a recall for the 2014-16, why not the 13?

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #24

Nov 052018

Soul

  • 63,000 miles

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

I was driving on a straight city road at 35 mph and my car weaved 3 times within.2 mile. My hands were steady and not moving on steering wheel. It swerved all by itself... zig zag style. Then it stopped weaving and drove straight again.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #23

Oct 082018

Soul

  • 30,700 miles
Takata recall, my Kia Soul 2013 make a clunk noise when wheel is turn right and left and also steering wheel is unstable when driving at 30mph, I've seen a lot of complaints about the same issue but only models 2014 - 2016 where recall by Kia motors, can you please look into this so they can add more years from this Kia Soul vehicle, thanks

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #22

Mar 212018

Soul

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the steering column made an abnormal sound and the steering wheel was completely loose and unstable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (boniface hiers Kia, 880 S apollo blvd, melbourne, fl 32901, (321) 951-9595) where the failure was acknowledged; however, they stated that there was no recall on the 2013 model. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #21

Aug 132018

Soul

  • miles

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

The steering wheel of our 2013 Soul is making a clunking sound. The vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it and from what I've read it seems to be the rack and pinion. I'm worried that I will lose steering while driving and the dealership I bought it from will not fix it even though all the optima's and Kia Souls 2014-17 have been recalled. I've seen youtube videos highlighting this defect going back to 2011 so Kia was obviously aware of the issue.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #20

Aug 132018

Soul 4-cyl

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. While driving low speeds and while the vehicle was stationary, an abnormal noise was detected coming from the steering wheel when it was turned left or right. The vehicle was taken to sunset Kia of sarasota (7777 S tamiami trail, sarasota, fl 34231, (941) 308-7707) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. *

- Lakewood Ranch, FL, USA

problem #19

Sep 072018

Soul

  • 69,000 miles
At around 69K miles I had a new set of tires put on the car. When I got it back about a few days later I noticed when I was stopped a clicking noise that I could feel in the wheel. It seems to track straight down the road but has some slack in the wheel itself. Took the car back to pep boys and they said it was a know Kia issue to call the deal. So today 9/7/18 called orlando Kia today they said there is no recalls steering related but they would love to have a look. I bet. Doing some research its all over the internet and utube that the steering damper rubber star shaped damper disintegrates and that is what makes the slop in the wheel. The part number I am seeing is 56315-2K000fff and is less than 5" at the dealer. Observing different costs online depending on make and model from 225$ to 1800$ to replace. This is a dangerous situation and should have been recalled and fixed no questions asked.

- Geneva, FL, USA

problem #18

Jun 012018

Soul

  • miles
About two months ago I had a slight jerk in steering wheel and it just got worse, I heard clunking noise, steering was loose and jerky, unstable driving. Took it too Kia and they did a performed a express service multi-point inspection and confirmed noise and stated it needed a new a flexible coupling and a new eps motor and alignment. Only flexible coupling was replaced through extended warranty, no alignment or eps motor was done. I have looked through websites of complaints and Kia Soul 2013 has been reported but no action has been taken. If I wouldn't have had an extended warranty I wouldn't have gotten the coupling replaced, but more is required such as eps motor and an alignment which was purchased already in April of 2018. This needs to be researched and fixed asap as a recall as it it a danger for anyone to be driving a Kia Soul with this issue

- Shelton, WA, USA

problem #17

Apr 242017

Soul

  • 67,004 miles

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

In April 2017, I was making a left turn and suddenly the steering locked and my car started going into the oncoming lane. I braked immediately and just missed being hit head on by oncoming traffic. A policeman happened to be close by and came over to help. I very frightened, kept my foot on the brake, but wasn't sure what to do next. He suggested putting the car in park, turning the motor off, and then starting it again. I did that, and the steering was back. So, I pulled over to a parking lot at that intersection. Aaa had the car towed to a repair shop (P&L $1702.68 + 7% tx $119.88 = $ 1821.19). I thought the problem was solved; however, in the past month, the steering has locked again twice. I am afraid to drive my car (not to mention putting my grandchildren in it) and am planning to contact the manufacturer and a local dealer. I searched the VIN on your NHTSA site, but no recalls show.. incidentally, I purchased the vehicle from hertz rental sales (January 2016).

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #16

Dec 182017

Soul

  • 100,000 miles
There was a clicking noise coming from the steering column everytime it moved even a fraction of an inch. As I was driving to work one morning, the steering wheel locked up on me while I was changing lanes. It was only for 5-10 seconds but it scared me. It was a dangerous situation. There is a recall on this make model and year for the exact same issue. My car missed it by a few days, literally. Several certified techs, including the Kia dealership techs all confirmed that it was similar to the recall with steering column issues. The dealership fixed it but I had to pay for it.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #15

May 012018

Soul

  • miles
For the past 6 months I have been to the car dealer for headlights and other lights out on the car as welll and the steering column is making clicking noises.

- Oxon Hill, MD, USA

problem #14

Jan 012018

Soul

  • 70,000 miles
Clunk noise similar to recall affecting 2014-2016 vehicles, steering seems loose and a clunking noise is heard, the noise occurs in parki or in motion

- Gurabo, PR, USA

problem #13

Apr 012018

Soul

  • 66,815 miles
I suddenly started hearing a knocking sound coming from my steering column. I noticed it when I would make U-turns and when parking into a parking lane. After a day or two, the knocking began to be more frequent. I can be driving down the highway or stationary and the knocking will occur with a slight turn of the steering wheel also causing by wheel to be very loose. I dropped my vehicle off at the local Kia dealership service department and they recommended the steering coupler be replaced. I declined services at that time and took my vehicle to another Kia dealership. All I did was pull into the service department lane and spoke to a service department employee explaining what issues I am having with my steering and he immediately said " I don't even have to look at your car I know what the problem is; it is the steering coupler, we see this all the time but Kia will not recall the Soul model for this issue." I then went home and researched Kia vehicles to find the optima vehicles had the same issue and were recalled. I then called the customer service 1-800 -333-4542 and submitted a complaint stating I do not feel safe driving and asked why this issue has not been recalled on Souls as I see many complaints online about this issue and other Kia models have been recalled for the same problem. My information was taken and I am expecting a call within the next couple of days from the department parts and service manager as the warranty expired after 60,000 miles and I currently 66,815 miles. I believe Kia should be held responsible for this issue since they are aware of this ongoing problem with their product!

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #12

Feb 122018

Soul

  • 105,000 miles
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.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #11

Nov 182017

Soul

  • 31,000 miles
Steering wheel makes a clunking noise when turning to the left or the right. 31000 miles. Dealer said is out of warranty. What to do?

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #10

Oct 282017

Soul

  • miles
Noise in steering column. Mechanic noticed it as well when I took it in for an oil change!

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #9

Jan 202017

Soul 4-cyl

  • 65,800 miles
Brake switch failed. My brake lights no longer worked and power steering was disabled, making the car impossible to drive. Could not get car out of "park" without using override button. Car needed to be towed to Kia dealer. This switch has been recalled on 1.6 million Kia's but my car was not included but should be added. Not sure how long I was driving without brake lights working. I'm glad I never use my cruise control as pressing the brake peddle would not disengage the cruise control function.

- New Providence, NJ, USA

problem #8

Aug 072016

Soul

  • 75,500 miles
My steering warning light has come on twice and I have completely lost all power steering. I took my car to my Kia dealership and they told me it's not a covered repair but it should be because it is a safety issue and makes the car a danger to drive

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

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