2010 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 135 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 23 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, roof and pillarsDec 29, 2014
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Campaign 14V822000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringAug 31, 2010
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 10V388000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
21 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Service brakes, Oct 15, 2018
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.
Structure, May 24, 2016
SUN ROOF FALLS OUT OF TRACKS
Structure, Feb 21, 2016
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY INITIALLY FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS AND NOW DOES NOT UNLOCK AT ALL WHEN USING THE KEY FOB AND SINCE THERE IS NO MANUAL KEY-LOCK CYLINDER ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR, THIS FRONT DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED UNTIL AFTER THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED.
Visibility, Structure, Jul 1, 2011
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
Steering, Structure, Dec 1, 2010
ALL INTERIOR DOORS ARE NICKED AND SCRATCHED ESPECIALLY THE FRONT DOORS. THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR LOOKS LIKE A TEN YEAR OLD CAR AND THIS IS A 2010 SOUL. CALLED KIA MANY TIMES AND THEY JUST CONTINUE TO TELL ME THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF ALREADY! I WANT THE PANELS REPLACED WITH A HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCT. ALSO HAVE NOTICED WHEN I DRIVE ON ROUGH ROAD OR HIT BUMPS OR HOLES THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE CONTROL A BIT. LIKE IT SKIPS ACROSS THE ROAD AND I CAN'T STOP IT. I CAN'T SEEM TO STEER IT FOR THAT BRIEF SECOND. *TR
Structure, Tires, Oct 25, 2010, fire
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
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Aug 24, 2010, crash, fire
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
Structure, Aug 20, 2010
I HAVE 2010 KIA SOUL THAT I BOUGHT IN APRIL 2009. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IN THE INTERIOR IS VERY EASILY DAMAGED. THE INTERIOR PLASTIC IS OF LOW ENOUGH QUALITY THAT WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR ONE'S FINGERNAILS CAN CAUSE A SCRATCH. I TAKE CARE OF ALL MY VEHICLES AND ARMOR ALL THE INTERIORS REGULARLY, BUT EVEN THOUGH THE INTERIOR LOOKS LIKE A 20 YEAR OLD CAR. I ALREADY CONTACTED KIA 8 MONTHS AGO AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HEAR BACK FROM THEM WITH A SOLUTION FOR THE FIRST RUN SHOULD INTERIOR PROBLEM IN Q1 2010. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM MANY TIMES SINCE THEN AND ALL I HAVE GOTTEN BACK IS THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED MY COMPLAINT AND ARE WORKING ON A FIX. *TR
Structure, Aug 20, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL ! ON 12/31/2009 AND WITHIN 2 MONTHS I NOTICED 10 -12 PAINT CHIPS ON THE FRONT AND HOOD OF THE CAR. I DRIVE IN A CITY THAT ONLY SEE SOME SNOW AND SOME SALTED. SALTED ROADS SHOULD OF NOT CAUSED THIS MUCH PAINT CHIPPING. I ADDED A PAINT PROTECTION FILM TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AT A COST OF $587 TO PROTECT MY INVESTMENT. LATER I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THE ISSUE TO AND ASKED TO REGISTER THE COMPLIANT, THEY STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUE. I ASKED THEM TO HELP OVER THE COST OF THE PROTECTION SYSTEM, THEY STATED THEY WOULD ONLY DO THAT IF THE DEALER INSTALLED IT, WHICH MY WAS NOT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT THE PAINT ISSUE IS CORRECTED AND CONPENSATED FOR THE COST I SPENT ON THE PROTECTION FILM. *TR
Structure, Aug 16, 2010
THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE FULL OF SCRATCHES. THE PLASTIC PANELS SCRATCH TOO EASILY EVEN WITH EXTRA CAREFUL USE, THE PANELS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE 10 YEARS OLD. *TR
Structure, Aug 8, 2010
2010 KIA SOUL SPECIAL EDITION NUMBER ONE: ALL 4 PASSENGER DOORS HAVE MULTIPLE NICKS AND SCRATCHES ON THEIR INTERIOR, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT DOORS. THE SEATBELTS SCRATCH THE DOORS. THE PLASTIC INNER DOORS ARE TOO SOFT AND MAR TOO EASILY. *TR
Structure, Aug 8, 2010
DEEP SCRATCHES TO PILLARS, DOORS, GLOVE BOX, DASH BOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE DUE TO THE MATERIAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLES INTERIOR. AT 3000 I BEGAN LETTING MY DEALERSHIP KNOW, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA, KIA AMERICA INSISTS THEY LET ALL THE DEALERSHIPS KNOW OF THE DEFECT. KIA AMERICA WILL NOT SUBMIT ANYTHING IN WRITING, THEY ONLY GIVE A REFERENCE NUMBER AND SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE WORKING ON A SOLUTION FOR CLOSE TO TWO YEARS, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I CAN'T SELL OR TRADE MY CAR IN BECAUSE I HAVE SUFFERED SUCH A LOSS DUE TO THE DEPRECIATION OF MARKET VALUE. MY INTERIOR LOOKS LIKE IT IS 10 YEARS OLD, I NOTICED THE ISSUE AT 1000MILES AND NOW HAVE 9000MILES AND STILL NO WORD FROM KIA. *TR
Structure, Aug 7, 2010
THE INTERIOR PANELS ARE EASILY SCRATCHED AND THE CAR LOOK LIKE IT IS TEN YEARS OLD AND IT IS BARELY A YEAR OLD. IT HAS AFFECTED THE VALUE AS I WAS TOLD BY A SEPARATE DEALER THAT THE INTERIOR LOOKS "HORRIBLE" I NOTIFIED KIA AND THEY SAID A "FIX" WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO MONTHS AND ALMOST A YEAR LATER KIA HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2010
PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL + EXACTLY ONE MONTH AGO, USED WITH 10,000 MILES. THE INTERIOR OF THIS VEHICLE IS OF SUCH LOW QUALITY, IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT INSTEAD. NOT ONLY IS THE INTERIOR A POOR EXCUSE FOR THE CAR, SO IS THE EXTERIOR PAINT. CHIPS AND PEELING ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SOUL. IN FACT, ALL OF THE SOULS I HAVE SEEN, HAVE HAD SOME SORT OF PAINT DAMAGE, NOT DUE TO DRIVING OR ABUSE, BUT TO THE NEGLECT OF NOT USING HIGH QUALITY PAINTS AND FINISHES TO THE SOUL. ALL IN ALL, THE KIA SOUL IS A FUN CAR, BUT I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE WORKMANSHIP AND QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2010
DOOR SKINS AND PILLARS SCRATCH TOO EASILY. MAJOR SOURCE OF DEEP SCRATCHES IS DUE TO THE MERE TOUCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BEING RETRACTED. OTHER SCRATCHES CAN BE CAUSED BY TOUCHING THESE INTERIOR PARTS. THESE PLASTIC PARTS ARE INFERIOR AND DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE NEWER IMPROVED AND RELEASED REPLACEMENTS. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Aug 5, 2010
MY 2010 KIA SOUL HAS SUCH SEVERE INTERIOR DAMAGE FROM THE SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL THEY USED THAT THE MARKET VALUE HAS DEPRECIATED FAR BEYOND THE NORM. ANY METAL, EVEN PLASTIC THAT TOUCHES THE DOORS (SEAT BELT BUCKLE) PILLARS, CENTER CONSOLE, GLOVE BOX, ETC....BECOMES DAMAGED. THE MATERIAL HAS NO PADDING UNDER IT SO THERE IS NO ABSORPTION AND IT IS "HONEY COMB" DESIGN WHICH WHEN SCRATCHED BREAKS THE "HONEY COMB" WHICH HAS A LIGHT GREY UNDER IT. MY FATHER BOUGHT THE SAME CAR AT THE SAME TIME AND HE TOO HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE CARS SHOWING THIS DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO WAY OF FIXING IT AND THE MANUFACTURE IS TELLING US TO WAIT FOR THEIR SOLUTION, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR. KIA HAS PUT OTHER 2010 SOULS ON THE LOT WITH COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MATERIAL SO THIS SHOULD BE THE SOLUTION. THEY WILL NOT SEND ME ANYTHING IN WRITING STATING THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM THOUGH THEY HAVE GIVEN OUT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF REFERENCE # AND TELL EVERYONE THEY ARE WORKING ON THE SOLUTION. I FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE WASTING TIME, LETTING TIME LAPSE SO THEY CAN EITHER CLAIM THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OR THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE LEMON LAW TIME LIMITS TO EXPIRE. WHAT COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES A DEFECT BUT WON'T PUT IT IN WRITING? I AM FURIOUS, THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR AND THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE ALSO PRESENT, LIKE CHIPPING PAINT THAT HAS STARTED TO RUST WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. WE DESERVE CONSUMER PROTECTION. PLEASE CHECK WWW.KIASOULFORUM.COM FOR EVEN GREATER AWARENESS OF THIS VERY PUBLIC ISSUE. REAR VIEW WINDOW SO SMALL AND HIGH IT IS A DANGER. *TR
Structure, Mar 21, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 KIA SOUL THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS SCRATCH VERY EASILY. PRIMARY ISSUE COME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT STRIKING THE DOOR AS IT RETRACTS. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Dec 20, 2009
I HAVE HAD MY KIA SOUL SINCE MAY 2009. I HAVE EXPERIENCED CHIPS IN THE GLASS AND PAINT AS WELL AS SCRATCHES TO THE GLASS FROM A PLASTIC ICE SCRAPER AI HAVE USED ON 3 OTHER VEHICLES WITHOUT ISSUE. I DO NOT USE ICE SCRAPERS OFTEN HERE IN TEXAS, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD WINDOWS SCRATCHED BY A PLASTIC UTENSIL DESIGNED FOR THE TASK I WAS PERFORMING. I THINK THE WINDOWS ARE MADE OF A HYBRID COMPOUND THAT IS NOT FULLY GLASS TO BE SO EASILY CHIPPED AND SCRATCHED. IT REMINDS ME OF THE POLYCARBONATE USED IN THE GLASSES I WEAR. THEY ARE "SCRATCH RESISTANT", BUT WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE I WILL HAVE SCRATCHES FROM THE MOST BENIGN OCCURRENCES. I BELIEVE THE GLASS IN THIS VEHICLE WILL BE A HAZARD OVER THE LONG TERM BY CREATING ISSUES WITH VIEWING THE ROAD. THE SCRATCHES CATCH THE LIGHT AND CAUSE STAR EFFECT LIGHTING RIGHT IN THE PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES. *TR
Structure, Nov 7, 2009
OUR NEW SOUL+ WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 NEW. IT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATE THAT SCRATCHES AND SCUFFS WERE COMING OUT ON THE INTERIOR PANELS. THE SLIGHTEST SCUFF OR EVEN JUST SCRATING WITH A FINGERNAIL WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE A PERMANENT SCRATCH. VERY POOR QUALITY PANELS AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS ON A SOUL FORUM...I AM NOT ALONE. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Nov 7, 2009
FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD CHIPS AND CRACKS FROM THE EDGE EASILY AND OFTEN. I HAD THE FIRST WINDOW REPLACED AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES AND THAT WINDOW WAS A GENUINE KIA WINDOW INSTALLED AND NOW IT HAS TWO SMALL CHIPS AND A CRACK FROM THE EDGE OF THE GLASS AND ONE BIG CHIP AT 8,000 MILES. I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY DRIVING AND HAVE NEVER OCCURRED THIS MANY WINDOW DEFECTS. I BELIEVE THE WINDOW TO BE NOT PROPERLY ANNEALED OR TREATED IN THE FURNACE OR IT IS JUST TOO THIN. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2009
I JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2010 KIA SOUL. I AM VERY CAREFUL AND TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CARS, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THE DOOR PANELS ON THIS VEHICLE TEND TO SCRATCH UP WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF EVEN A FINGER NAIL. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW HORRIBLE IT GETS WITH NORMAL WEAR, AND I CONSIDER MYSELF OBSESSIVELY CAREFUL WITH MY CARS AND ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT SCRATCH THESE PANELS. HORRIBLE WORKMANSHIP TO THE POINT THAT IT MUST BE SOME SORT OF DEFECT. HAS ANYONE ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ? MY PURCHASE DATE WAS 9/18/09 AND MY INTERIOR DOOR PANELS LOOK 5 YEARS OLD AND ABUSED. ALSO, THE FRONT END ON THIS CAR RUMBLES LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE, VERY SLOPPY SOUNDING FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. STEERING FEELS FINE BUT THE NOISE AND RUMBLING IS UNBEARABLE. VERY POORLY PUT TOGETHER AND RATTLE FEELING. *TR