NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Kia Soul. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THE VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE SIGNALS CONTINUE TO NOT WORK. THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AND I AM CONCERNED MY DAUGHTER MAY GET A TICKET OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. THE RIGHT TAILLIGHT HAS ALSO BEGAN TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
I RECENTLY CAME OUT TO GET INTO MY HUSBANDS KIA TO FIND A FLAT TIRE. WHILE THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL EVENT IT WAS EXPENSIVE. I PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, AND HAD THEM MOUNTED. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THE UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN ON THE BACK TIRES WHICH I HAD NOTICED AS WELL. THE TIRES WERE WEARING IN THE CENTER AND TO THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRES. HE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE THE SOUL TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ALIGN THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING MORNING AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO DO SO. I HEARD THE MECHANIC SAY TO THE DEPT. MANAGER THAT THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN ALIGNED. AFTER A SHORT WAIT PERIOD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SHIFTED TO THE SIDE BY APPROX. 1/2". I ASKED WHEN HE HAD SEEN THIS ON A VEHICLE, AND HE SAID AFTER AN ACCIDENT. I STATED THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND MY HUSBAND PURCHASED IT NEW. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR FOR PARTS, LABOR, AND A NEW ALIGNMENT WAS $1090.00. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO RETURN A CALL TO ME ABOUT THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW SINCE THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF RAIN/MOISTURE ON THE ROAD CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HANDLE VERY POORLY AT REDUCED SPEEDS OF 45 MPH. THIS DEFECT HAS NOW COST 852.00 FOR NEW TIRES, AND THEY WILL WEAR OUT IN THE SAME ODD WEAR PATTERN IF I DON'T REPLACE THE REAR AXLE, AND RE-ALIGN THE TIRES THAT I JUST PURCHASED. *TR
I OWN A PRE-OWNED 2010 KIA SOUL! WITH APPROXIMATELY 47K MILES, CLEAR TITLE AND NO ACCIDENTS. ON SUNDAY 12/29/13 MY CAR EXPERIENCED SUA (SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION). I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, APPROACHING A ROTARY, WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE RPMS SPIKED UP TO 4000-5000 AND MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING VERY LOUDLY. I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES TO DECELERATE AND BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS INCIDENT IS NOW THE 4-5TH TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION (WITHIN 1 YEAR), USUALLY HAPPENING BETWEEN THE 35-45MPH RANGE. THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN (EVEN IF I'VE BEEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT WILL JUMP FORWARD WITH RPMS RUNNING ABNORMALLY HIGH) AND I'LL HAVE TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES SIGNIFICANTLY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO LEV KIA IN FRAMINGHAM MA WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST (12/30/13) AND APPARENTLY FOUND NO RECORDED "TROUBLE CODES" AND SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT IF THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE INCIDENT. WITH SOME MINIMAL RESEARCH ONLINE, I WAS ABLE TO FIND OTHER KIA OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE, INCLUDING ANOTHER 2010 KIA SOUL THAT RESULTED IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SPEED CONTROL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A SECLUDED INCIDENT AND FURTHER RESEARCH MUST BE DONE. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY KIA SOUL! *TR
AUDIO & BLUETOOTH SYSTEM HAVE FAILED. AUDIO SYSTEM PREVIOUSLY FAILED IN DECEMBER 2011. AUDIO SYSTEM JUST BLACKED OUT . DEALERSHIP REPLACED AUDIO SYSTEM AT THAT TIME UNDER WARRANTY. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A LOUD SCRAMBLED SOUND WHEN RADIO IS TURNED ON AND BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK EITHER. GOOGLED AUDIO PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS MODEL OF AUTO WAS FOUND ON A YOU TUBE DEMO OF EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY ANOTHER PERSON IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED EXTERNAL AMPLIFIER. IN DOING SOME FURTHER CHECKING ON THE WEB FOUND THAT ANOTHER PERSON ALSO HAD THEIR AUDIO SYSTEM FAIL AT 39,000 MILES IN 2011. AS AMPLIFIER WAS NOT COVERED AFTER 36,000 MILES HE WAS QUOTED CHARGES OF $114.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVAL, $640.00 LABOR FOR PUTTING IN A NEW AMP AND $825.00 FOR NEW AMP ITSELF. IN THE 2013 CONSUMER REPORTS BUYING GUIDE THE 2010 KIA SOUL HAS A MUCH WORSE THAN AVERAGE RATING FOR THE AUDIO SYSTEM. MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE SOME INVESTIGATION DONE ON THIS AUDIO ISSUE AND POSSIBLY A RECALL ISSUED. I COULD CERTAINLY LIVE WITHOUT A RADIO BUT HAVE AN ISSUE USING MY PHONE WITHOUT THE BLUETOOTH WHILE DRIVING. THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS WHEN LOOKING ON THE WEB REGARDING AUDIO PROBLEMS ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR
AUDIO & BLUETOOTH SYSTEM HAVE FAILED. AUDIO SYSTEM PREVIOUSLY FAILED IN DECEMBER 2011 WITH 24291 MILES ON IT. AUDIO SYSTEM JUST BLACKED OUT AND DID NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP REPLACED RADIO AT THAT TIME UNDER WARRANTY. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A LOUD SCRAMBLED SOUND WHEN TRYING TO USE BLUETOOTH AND WHEN RADIO IS TURNED ON. BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. LOUD SCRAMBLING SOUND IS CONTINUOUS WITH SOME INTERMITTENT RADIO SOUNDS. I GOOGLED AUDIO PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL OF AUTO AND FOUND A YOU TUBE DEMO OF EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY A PERSON IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED EXTERNAL AMPLIFIER. THERE ALSO WAS ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAD THEIR AUDIO SYSTEM FAIL AT 39,000 MILES. AMPLIFIER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ON THAT PERSONS VEHICLE AS CAR HAD OVER 36,000 MILES. HE WAS QUOTED A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE OF $114, A $640 LABOR CHARGE AND A $825 AMP CHARGE. I NOTED IN THE 2013 CONSUMER REPORTS BUYING GUIDE THAT THE 2010 KIA SOUL HAD A MUCH WORSE THAN AVERAGE RATING FOR THE AUDIO SYSTEM. MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE SOME INVESTIGATION DONE ON THIS ISSUE AND POSSIBLY A RECALL GENERATED. I COULD CERTAINLY LIVE WITHOUT A RADIO BUT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH USING MY PHONE WITHOUT THE BLUETOOTH. *DT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND METAL FRAGMENTS DISCHARGED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SHOULDER CUT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
MANUAL CLUTCH DEFECTIVE AT ONLY 13,300 MILES. CHECKED ONLINE, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH KIA, MANY WITH EVEN LESS MILES. APPARENTLY KIA KNOWS THE CLUTCH IS DEFECTIVE AS THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL (6) OF THE CLUTCHES PARTS IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S MODEL BUT THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CLUTCH IS A "WEAR AND TEAR ITEM". I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CLUTCH WEARING OUT AT ONLY 13,300 MILES. MY LAST MANUAL VEHICLE (JEEP) HAD 89,000 MILES WHEN TRADED IN AND STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL FACTORY CLUTCH. *TR
THE FACTORY PROVIDED KEYS FOR THE CAR ARE INTEGRATED REMOTE WIRELESS ENTRY KEY FOBS AND CONCEALED IGNITION KEY. TO REVEAL THE KEY, A BUTTON ON THE FOB IS PRESSED AND A SPRING LOADED ARM ROTATES THE KEY OUT OF THE FOB SO IT CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED IGNITION SWITCH. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, AFTER PARKING THE CAR I WENT TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION BY ROTATING THE KEY FOB COUNTER CLOCKWISE. WHEN I DID THE ARMATURE THAT HOLDS THE KEY SNAPPED OFF LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE RUNNING. AS ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE KEY REMAINED EXPOSED, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AS NOT ENOUGH OF THE KEY PROJECTED TO APPLY ROTATIONAL FORCE TO. IT WOULD SEEM THE ABILITY TO TURN OFF THE CAR IN EMERGENCIES IS CRUCIAL TO SAFETY AND I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL INVESTIGATION INITIATED. (FILED ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE, [XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
IN THE MIDST OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, I HAD TO SUDDENLY STOP. I APPARENTLY DID NOT STOP QUICK ENOUGH AND REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY LEFT ARM TOOK PART OF THE SHOCK. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 - 45 MPH. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR COLLAPSED, TO A POINT THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT FREELY OPEN. AT LEAST TWO OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
2010 KIA SOUL WAS HIT BY PLYMOUTH NEON AS NEON WAS EXITING HIGHWAY I-70 WESTBOUND AT ZUMBEHL RD IN ST CHARLES, MO. NEON FAILED TO EITHER STOP AT RED LIGHT OR YIELD RIGHT OF WAY TO MY KIA SOUL. THE SOUL WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT FRONT COMPLETELY TEARING OFF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE SOUL WAS SPUN COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND HIT A SECOND TIME IN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE IMPACT SENT THE SOUL ACROSS 2 TRAFFIC LANES AND ACROSS AN APPROXIMATELY 6 INCH HIGH MEDIAN CURB INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NEITHER THE FRONT AIRBAGS, NOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER IMPACTED THE SIDE INTERIOR CAUSING INJURIES. *TR
DEALERSHIP CHANGED MY BRAKES ON SEPT 18. ON SEPT 19, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ALL FOUR BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT BRAKES BEING PRESSED. VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 65MPH TO 30 MPH AND DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BRAKE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, MY SON SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER WHICH HAD ENTERED HIS PATH. FAILING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE ENTERED A ROADSIDE DITCH WITH A STEEP EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE OPPOSITE SIDE EMBANKMENT ON THE LEFT FRONT QUADRANT WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES FRONT END. (THE DAMAGE CAUSED IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE CRASH TEST PROVIDED ON THE IIHS'S WEBSITE IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED). OUR DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPON STRIKING THE OPPOSITE EMBANKMENT AND RECEIVING THE FRONT END DAMAGE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED COMPLETELY AT LEAST ONE TIME. (ACCORDING TO THE KIA WEBSITE, THE SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED), HOWEVER, THAT FAILED TO HAPPEN AS WELL. FORTUNATELY MY SON WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, AND WALKED AWAY WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED DUE TO IT'S SAFETY RATING. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN A KIA SOUL FRONT END/ROLLOVER ACCIDENT! *TR
TAKATA RECALL : SOMOS PROPIETARIOS DESDE MAYO DEL 2012 HASTA LA FECHA VAN 3 OCACIONES QUE LE REPARAMOS LOS FRENOS Y CONSTANTEMENTE HUELE A QUEMADO Y SE LE PRENDE LUZ DE CHECK ENGINE POR LO MENOS UNA VEZ POR MES DESDE QUE LO TENEMOS Y SE LE APAGA A LA SEMANA O DOS SEMANAS NOS MANDAN DE LA HYUNDAI A EL DEALER DE LA KIA Y EN ESE DEALER NOS DICEN QUE NO TIENE NADA NADAMAS LO REPROGRAMAN PERO EL PROBLEMA CONTINUA.
SOLID REAR AXLE FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO TIRES H426, LINE SIZE P205/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES DEVELOPED A BULGE ON THE SIDE WALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEM COULD NOT BE REPLACED WITH OUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE VALVE AND TRANSMITTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
MY WIFE AND I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2010 KIA SOUL ON 01/21/2012. SHE WAS DRIVING IT TO THE CAR WAS AND AS SHE WAS TRYING TO MAKE HER WAY TO THE ENTRANCE SHE WAS PULLED UP TOO CLOSELY. SHE BACKED UP THEN SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND AS SHE BEGAN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THOUGHT IT WAS STILL IN REVERSE AND BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARD. SHE THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN SHIFTED INTO FIRST AGAIN AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, THIS TIME CAUSING HER TO HIT THE PAY BOX FOR THE CAR WASH AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER, MIRROR AND DOOR. *TR
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH OUT TO START MOVING THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD METALLIC MOANING SOUND. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND GETTING READY TO MORE THAN LIKELY BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 19K MILES ON IT NOW, AND KIA NORTH AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED EACH TIME AND THE REGIONAL ADVISOR HAS ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE IS STILL NO MENTION OF WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ARE BULKING AT BUYING THE CAR BACK OR COMPLETELY REPLACING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN HARD TO PUT INTO REVERSE FROM A STAND STILL AT TIMES. *TR
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR ON SIDE STREET WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN FIRE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE SPEAKER/LIGHT AREA. SHE WAS FORTUNATELY NOT HURT AND WAS ASSISTED BY BYSTANDER IN PUTTING OUT FIRE. INSIDE OF DOOR AROUND SPEAKER MELTED. APPEARS TO BE SAME PROBLEM THAT KIA RECALLED 2010 KIA FOR (REF 10V388000 AUG 30 2010). CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED UNDER RECALL NO. 10V388000 AT FULLERTON KIA (NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AT THE FULLERTON LOCATION). TO DATE KIA HAS ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CAUSE IS INVESTIGATED BEFORE CAR IS REPAIRED, AND REASON IS DESTROYED AS IT APPEARS RECALL FIX WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THERE MAY BE 1000'S OF CARS ON THE ROAD WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 03/06/12 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 03/13/12 *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK RADIAL TUBELESS TIRES, LINE SIZE P225/45/R18 TIRES AND DOT NUMBER: 5MWKELH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED BUBBLING ON THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUBBLING WAS DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AT A LOW SPEED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR STARTED TO SMOKE. MAIN SMOKE WAS COMING FROM SPEAKER AREA. WINDOWS WERE DOWN. EXITED CAR IN PARKING LOT AND BY THIS TIME, DOOR STARTED TO MELT. SOON THEREAFTER, DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR WAS STILL NEAR OTHER VEHICLES AND PEOPLE IN BUSY PARKING LOT. WAS TOLD BY BYSTANDER'S THAT VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE PUSHED FURTHER AWAY FROM BUSY AREA. ENTERED VEHICLE VIA PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, LEANED ACROSS WITH RIGHT HAND TO PRESS DOWN BRAKE PEDAL AND USED LEFT HAND TO PUT INTO NEUTRAL. RIGHT HAND BURNED DUE TO HEAT FROM DRIVERS SIDE BLAZING FIRE WHILE PRESSING DOWN BRAKE. EXITED VEHICLE AND PUSHED VEHICLE TO FURTHER AREA IN PARKING LOT. FIRE COVERED MELTING PLASTIC FALLING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED. HAD TO PUSH VEHICLE FURTHER AS FIREY PLASTIC WAS UNDER GAS TANK AREA. ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT FIRE. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DEMOLISHED AND SEATS DAMAGED. SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. MELTED PLASTIC AND MELTED TIRES CAUSED CONCRETE IN PARKING LOT TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY BURNED/MELTED. BLISTERS TO RIGHT HAND, PHYSICIAN VISIT OCCURRED TO ADDRESS SKIN DISCOLORATION AND ENSURE INFECTION WAS NOT PRESENT. BLISTERED SKIN WAS CUT AWAY. KIA MOTORS STANCE IS TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND PLACE BACK INTO THE MARKET. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 9-17-10. MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE REGARDING THIS RECALL WAS 8-30-11. RECALL DATE WAS 9-13-11. NO NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED FROM MANUFACTURER OR DEALER REGARDING THIS FIRE SAFETY RECALL, SC083. *KB
SHATTERED HATCHBACK GLASS. I WAS JUST GETTING IN MY2010 KIA SOUL AFTER WORK. I OPENED DRIVER SIDE , SAT IN, AS I CLOSED DRIVER DOOR THE HATCHBACK GLASS SIMPLY SHATTERED AND FELL APART. I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK . *TR
I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE KIA, AFTER THAT WAS FIXED THE CAR WAS STILL NOT RUNNING RIGHT, IT WAS SLUGGISH AND USING A LOT OF GAS. THE HEAD WAS CRACKED, AND SEVERAL OF THE VALVES WERE MESSED UP AND EVENTUALLY THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE WHOLE PROCESS TOOK APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 MONTHS. *TR
I WAS HIT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY A DRIVER THAT RAN A RED LIGHT GOING ABOUT 40 MPH AND THE IMPACT SPUN MY CAR COMPLETELY AROUND. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED! THEN ON APRIL 30, 2011, RIGHT AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK FROM BEING REPAIRED, MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING IT AND REAR ENDED A CAR THAT SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES QUICKLY. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR A SECOND CRASH! *TR
I WAS RETURNING FROM A TRIP WHEN I GOT A SMALL ROCK CHIP. I HAD IT FILLED AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THIS MORNING, WHEN I DROVE TO WORK, MY WINDSHIELD WAS FINE, BUT THIS AFTERNOON, THERE WAS AN L SHAPED CRACK IN THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. I AM FINDING THAT THIS WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND CHIPS WITH GREAT EASE. AT THIS POINT, THAT CRACK CANNOT BE "FILLED," THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON IN MY 2010 KIA SOUL AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS THEY CLAIM IT IS DUE TO A FENDER BENDER THAT OCCURRED ON THE REAR RIGHT BUMPER AND REFUSE TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE COMPUTER ABOUT THE BRAKE SENSOR LOCATED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDDLE THAT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE SOMEONE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HARD PROBABLY WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED AT A LOW SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE. FUNNY BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS WHAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FOR IF YOU WANTED TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR
KIA SOUL STEERING ASSEMBLY FAILURE (TEMPORARY) WHEN TURNING THE 2010 KIA SOUL SHARPLY (AS FAR AS IT WILL GO EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT) AND ATTEMPTING TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL QUICKLY AFTER TURNING RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENING TO WHERE YOU CANNOT TURN IT FOR A COUPLE SECONDS AS THOUGH IT LOCKS UP. ALSO, WHEN IDLE, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTS IN A TUGGING SENSATION FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT VIBRATES THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH A PIECE OF METAL ON THE ROAD HIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE STOPPED AT A GASOLINE STATION HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL WAS SPILLING BACK OUT AND ASSUMED THAT THE METAL FRACTURED THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND ADVISED HIM THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,500.
FACTORY CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN USE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. INSTEAD THE ENGINE RACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN THE CAR SPEED AT 45 MPH. I TESTED THE CRUISE CONTROL THE NEXT DAY 2 TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND EACH TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WITH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. IT DID DISENGAGE EACH TIME WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL ON/OFF SWITCH WAS DEPRESSED. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS WORKED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS.
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN SOUTH FLORIDA I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING MY 2010 KIA SOUL TO STOP DURING A PANIC STOP SITUATION. I AM OVER 210 LBS. AND HAD TO PUT EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH I HAVE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I AM 63 AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE 15 AND NEVER HAD A CAR REACT LIKE THIS KIA. IT HAS 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. IF [XXX] WAS DRIVING WE WOULD HAVE ENDED UP ON THE REAR DECK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. [XXX] IS SMALL AND WOULD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PUSH AS HARD AS I DID. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM (BRAKING ISSUES) BECAUSE I CERTAINLY NEED A CAR WHICH WILL STOP ON COMMAND. I TALKED TO A YOUNG GIRL HERE IN NASHUA WHO OWNS A 2011 KIA AND SHE TOLD ME SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING "WRONG" WITH HER BRAKES ALSO. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN A CAR WON'T STOP LIKE IT SHOULD. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
ROCK BARELY TAPS WINDSHIELD CAUSING DAMAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED FORWARD UNTIL THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN THE PAST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,100.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONING, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGED. ALSO, WHEN USING THE VENT TO DIRECT AIR TO THE FLOOR, CONDENSATION WOULD OCCUR ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2010 SOUL. THE CAR ROLLED DOWN A HILL IN 1ST GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TWICE, THE 2ND TIME INTO A RIVER. NOW EVERY TIME IT IS DAMP OR COLD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STICKS [STAYS ON WHEN THE LEVER IS DISENGAGED] AND I END UP DRIVING WITH THE BRAKE ON. THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES UNTIL THE BRAKE LETS GO. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MY LOCAL DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 -15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE OF HER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2200.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK IN THE TURNING POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WOULD CONTINUE TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD WORK SOMETHING OUT AS LONG AS THE CONTACT DOES NOT INVOLVE A LAWYER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
09/09/2010 I WAS T-BONED IN A 2010 KIA SOUL WITH 1822 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS A MURANO GOING 45 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL AND DRIVER DOOR. I SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM HITTING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SOME SPECTACULAR BRUISING ON MY LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER. NOT ONE OF THE SIX AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RATING AND THE NUMBER OF AIRBAGS. TODAY 01/16/2011 THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS BENT PARALLEL TO THE GROUND. I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. *LN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE WHEELS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AFTER ONE YEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY ONLY OFFERED TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. A DAY LATER, THE BATTERY FAILED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V388000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE CORRECTLY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
MY CAR IS 2 YRS OLD IT HAS OVER 15 CHIPS AND CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE WINDSHIELD. *TR
I HAD MY 2010 KIA SOUL PARKED IN MY GARAGE AFTER ARRIVING HOME WITH IT ON 9/1/10, AT ABOUT 715 PM. AT 8 PM, MY DAUGHTER NOTICED SMOKE AND WE FOUND IT WAS THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BOTH OF MY CARS, MY GARAGE AND MY HOUSE AND EVERYTHING IN IT. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND IT WAS THE KIA THAT STARTED ON FIRE. ON 9/1/10, KIA CAME OUT WITH A RECALL ON THE SPEAKER LIGHTS THAT ARE PRONE TO START A FIRE. KIA SAYS MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL, BUT IT DID START ON FIRE. *TR
KIA SOUL 2010 PURCHASED IN MARCH 2010. THE CLIPS TO MY FRONT BUMPER HAVE ALL BROKEN AND IT WAS GLUED ON SO IT WILL STAY ON UNTIL OUR MECHANIC PUT BOLTS TO HOLD IT BETTER. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT FIX IT SINCE THEY STATED I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WAS NOT IN ONE. THE BUMPER STARTED FALLING OFF BEFORE 10,000 MILES. THERE ARE NO DENTS OR DINGS IN THE FRONT BUMPER AREA. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER I HAD BY FOOT ON THE BRAKES FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 11K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. THE BRAKE RELAY WAS FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE BRAKES DID HAVE A SMALL FIRE WHEN I MOVED IT NOT REALIZING IT WAS THE BRAKES. I ASSUMED THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING DUE TO OTHER ISSUES WE WERE HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE WALL OF MY TIRE (NEXEN) HAD A HUGE HOLE AFTER THEY BLEW AT ABOUT 7500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT BALANCE OR ALIGN MY CAR PROPERLY. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE TO HURRY OIL CHANGES AND OTHER REPAIRS BY NOT COMPLETING ALL THE PROPER CHECKS BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MECHANICS. *TR
2010 KIA SOUL TRAVELING SOUTH ON SC HIGHWAY 905 AT 9:45PM., RURAL HIGHWAY WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT FROM A RIGHT SIDE DIRT ACCESS ROAD. THERE WAS A FRONT END CRASH TO THE KIA SOUL RESULTING IN TOTAL DAMAGE FRONT THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE FRONT DASH BOARD AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED. THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED IVOQ PICTURES RECEIVED. 08/2/710 *TR
THE 2010 SOUL HAD A MAJOR FAILURE WHEN IT IMPACTED A TREE AT 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO LEAKING FLUIDS, SIGNS OF SMOKE OR FIRE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES LATER AND BURNED TOTALLY UP BEFORE FIRE CREWS COULD GET THERE TO PUT IT OUT. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE FIRE WALL. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE SAFETY BUMPERS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO WORK BELLOW THE 15 MPH CONSTRAINT ARE UNDER DESIGNED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE LED LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY . THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL AND SPEAKERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE LIGHT HARNESS WIRES MELTED. THERE WERE REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS AND THEY REPLACED THE LIGHTS UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 600. UPDATED 12/7/10/ *CN
BRAND NEW KIA SOUL 2010 - LESS THAN 500 MILES. ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DOOR PANEL WHILE DRIVING. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED DOOR PANEL. LED LIGHT TRANSMITTER IN SPEAKERS SHORTED AND MELTED PLASTIC INSIDE DOOR. RESPONSE FROM KIA (ADVISED BY DEALER) WAS "DON'T LEAVE THE SPEAKER LIGHTS IN ON POSITION. ONLY USE THEM WHEN YOU NEED THEM." THIS WAS THE SECOND SAME INCIDENT THAT THE DEALER HAD THAT WEEK. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL AND HAD IT ABOUT TWO MONTHS WHEN WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. I TOOK PICTURES, AS I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE WHEELS, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I KEPT PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE WAY, THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN. I CONTACTED KIA 24 HOUR ROADSIDE, THEY TRANSPORTED MY VEHICLE TO UNION CITY KIA, WHERE I FOUND OUT FROM TONY IN THE SERVICE CENTER THAT MY AIRBAG NEEDS TO ALSO BE REPLACED IN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT WAS NON FUNCTIONAL. THIS IS DAY THREE, AS THIS HAPPENED DURING THE WEEKEND, I CALLED KIA TODAY ABOUT HAVING A VEHICLE TO STAY MOBILE. I AM STILL WAITING ON A CALL BACK, THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY ARE STATING THAT I CANNOT HAVE A LOANER CAR OR RENTAL REIMBURSEMENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY VEER OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2010 KIA SOUL FROM A LOCAL VEHICLE RENTAL FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SET AT AN ANGLE AND WAS ABNORMALLY SMALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ALSO THE SAME. THE CONTACT STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SHE BARELY MISSED A CRASH DUE TO THE ABNORMAL DESIGN OF THE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE VIN, FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES.
TL* THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY RENTED A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY SMALL AND HIGH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DESIGN OF THE PEAL CAUSED DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AWAY FROM THE ROADWAY AND LOCATE THE PEDAL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026