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.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in a parking lot, the steering wheel locked, and the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated a symbol of a steering wheel in a circle with a line through the steering wheel was illuminated. The contact stated she drove the vehicle to her residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
At around 91, 697 miles, our 2020 Kia Soul EX began to have issues with the engine stalling out while downshifting in lower speeds, We took our Kia into the local (still an hour away from our home) dealership, for the recall "fix" which involved uploading a firmware update to the ECM for the knock sensor. We also had the dealership look into the issue of stalling out, but they could not replicate the issue and therefore sent us on our way. About two weeks later, the vehicle started making an extreme knocking sound (I am a mechanic and knew what the issue was immediately), and it brought up a check engine light, however there was no oil light or warning of any kind that came on. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that there was no oil in the vehicle. Upon filling the vehicle back up with oil, everything seemed normal, until the weekend of 11 October, when the motor again had an extreme amount of oil consumption, to the point of the same symptoms, along with a loud rattling sound, as if something had broken due to lack of lubrication, despite having an oil change completed less than a month prior, with approximately 1200 miles due to the next oil change. This almost left us stranded approximately 1.5 hours away from home. Again, we filled the engine with oil, and drove with extreme caution as the check engine light never shut off. Again, no oil light or indication the vehicle was experiencing a no-oil condition was present. After getting an appointment and taking the vehicle into the dealership on 20 October 2022, the technician stated that there were multiple CEL codes, including P0017 Crankshaft Position, multiple cylinder misfire codes, and low compression on cylinders 2,3, and 4, with cylinder 2 being the lowest. It was deemed that the top end of the motor looked good, with no obvious signs of neglect in maintenance, or issues that may cause false codes. The vehicle continues to exhibit stalling, and low acceleration, posing a severe safety issue.
Electrical power steering system froze and would not turn left nor right while car was running in both Reverse and Drive as I was trying to leave my home to run errands. My Kia Access application on my phone showed an issue with Electrical Power Steering and the dash of my car had the red steering wheel with exclamation point warning light in red on. When tow truck came 4 hours later and turned vehicle on to get it into tow truck the steer issue disappeared. However, he did tell me that the night of 8.17.20222 he towed another Kia Soul that the steering locked up in mid turn of another vehicle on a driver her in Phoenix, AZ. This is a huge concern and very scary to think of what could happen if I was in traffic. My car is currently at the dealership for diagnostics, and if they can't find an issue I have to pay a minimum $170 just for them to look at it. This is not a good situation as a whole!!! This vehicle needs to have an electrical power steering issue recall.
The steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn the engine key around. I was unable to start the car as the steering wheel was jammed. It took me over 1 hrs to finally unnamed the steering wheel. This has happened twice.
- Rochester, NY, USA
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The steering wheel of my Kia Soul 2020 hammer. I was unable to start the car as the steering when became stuck..jammed. Called a town truck to towed into the Kia dealer for repairs.
My Kia Soul 2020, the engine lights came up, the parking lights, the right headlights, the rear back right signal lights, the fuel system and the breaks system all of them malfunctioned. The dealer charged for the repairs.
At 8960 miles steering indicator dash light came on. Dealership determined it was a bad steering wheel assembly. Due to the corona virus part took 2 1/2 weeks to get to the dealership.
When parked (but with the power set to "run" or the engine fully on), if you turn the steering wheel in either direction, typically to its fullest extent, there is a loud "clunk" or "clank" noise coming from the base of the steering column. After taking the car to the dealership, they only told me the steering was "broke" and they had to replace the entire steering system under warranty. The issue started around 2300 miles. I have taken several videos since the issue began. The car has to be stationary or in motion (forward or reverse) but under 5mph (roughly). After watching a few youtube videos and doing some further investigation, it appears as though part of the problem is a defective/damaged "coupling gear" between the power/electric assist steering motore and the steering column itself. Regardless, it is a severe steering issue that has lead to a previous recall in older Kia and several accidents.
Bought car new in October of 2019 in March 2020 car turned off as I was driving I put it in park turned back on with a loud noise called the shop they said it was low on oil but they just changed the oil 3 weeks prior so they added more oil told me to come back in 30 days and a month later it shut off on me again so I brought it back to the dealership and they determined I needed a new engine so they ordered a new engine and something was wrong with the new engine so they had to order another engine I finally after about 2 months maybe more I got my car back on June 4th I picked up my car and on Monday June 8th I turned on my car and a message about the tire pressure system needed to be checked and the auto shut off light was blinking the ABS light the emergency break light engine light and others were flashing and the steering wheel felt loose and the speedometer was reading 0 while I was driving I left it running and after a while they all shut off and speedometer worked and steering wheel felt fine well yesterday in Friday June 12th I turned the car on at 8am and all the lights were flashing again including the auto of light the speedometer read 0 while I was driving and the steering wheel felt loose again and the tire pressure light and system message came on again I took a video this time brought it back to bev smith Kia and had no car all day until I finally asked about a loaner at 4:30pm was told to go to the dealership to get a loaner waited there for an hour for the loaner but at this point I don't even want the Soul back.
Vehicle pulls sharply and abruptly to the right at speeds above 45-50. When I test drove the vehicle, I mentioned to the salesman that I thought it was pulling to the right, of course he didn't feel it, but would have it checked. After purchasing the vehicle in April, and owning it about 7 months, this problem is worse. I took it back to the dealership where purchased, and was told this was normal due to the lane keeping assist function. If this is the case this is dangerous due to the fact that it is a very sharp and abrupt pull to the right, with no warning.
The idle stop - start system seems to be broken. Whenever I pull up to a light and stop the engine shuts off. Then, when I try to accelerate the engine starts but the calibers lock up on the disc creating a loud groaning sound. It causes the car to shutter and barely go forward. Additionally, the car consistently pulls to the right. It causes the vehicle to begin to veer off the road. On two occasions the dealer, Kia of irvine, told me they did not have the equipment fo fix this problem.
Pulls to the right at highway speed - approx 45mph. Severe alignment problem. Dealer told me that they did have a new-enough machine to align the car. How can Kia of irvine, not have the proper equipment to fix the cars they sell? inside rear cowling that goes around the small portal window on the right was warped from the factory. Car was not moving. Got a replacement part; however, it was a poor install job and the front part of the cowling does not align well with its lower connect piece. Right front tire is becoming severely worn because of alignment issue that can't be fixed. Exterior plastic cover on left-side A-frame pillar came from the factory scratched and lose. Kia of irvine will not fix it - they only want to buff the plastic. Not a proper fix because the part is still lose.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- North Chesterfield, VA, USA