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 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!
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.
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
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
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
The power steering gear locks up randomly. It makes a clucking sound and car is all over the road. Kia dealership worked on the steering gear with only 8000 miles on it. It appeared that the gland nut backed its way off the shaft where the steering wheel connects to the gear. The car now has 12,000 miles on it and it is happening again. When this fails the steering can detach from the steering gear loosing all ability to steer the car. I noticed that this is not an isolated case and this is happening to all 2013 Kia Souls on the internet. Before someone gets killed there should be an immediate recall. If the steering had locked up on a lane change it may have been a fatal accident.....updated 12/07/15; 4/27/18
For 5 months there has been a thumping noise in the steering column when turning 2 complete revolutions ie: When parking or truning into a drive thru lane and just 3 days ago my steering wheel seems like it jumped a notch and although its still driving straight the steering wheel has changed position about 5 to 7 degrees to the left...
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 5 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from under the steering column. As a result, the steering wheel became difficult to turn as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,336.
Sudden deceleration quickly followed by loss of all electrical power including steering, brakes, complete engine shut-off and dash instrumentation. Dealer found "no problem" and did not repair or replace ignition switch or anything else.
While driving on the highway as I went into my turn I noticed that the steering function was hard. The steering wheel and stability/ traction control lights came on. It was very difficult for me to drive the vehicle on my planned route to work. Due to the holiday the dealership is not open today and the vehicle that I purchased to be dependable is proving to be no longer that.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle erroneously veered left and right and caused the contact to crash into a guide rail. The contact sustained neck, back, and wrist injuries, a broken finger, and minor bruising. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering failed without warning and the steering assist warning light illuminated on three different occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 850.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Clearwater, FL, USA