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: other or unspecified
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2024
Hello, I would like to report that someone attempted to steal my 2010 Kia Soul. The incident occurred on [XXX], in San Jose, CA 95111. As a result of the attempted theft, there is damage to the car’s steering wheel and ignition. Please let me know if additional information or documentation is needed to assist with this report. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2021
---COMPONENT OR SYSTEM ISSUE-- Not sure yet. Based on google, it's possibly either a "faulty fuel pump relay" or "defective ignition switch". ---SAFETY ISSUE-- Potential for grave injury if a child or someone got in the car and put it in drive There were many young children AND teenagers in attendance. --REPRODUCED? or CONFIRMED? NOT OFFICIALLY-- Only that it has happened twice now. 1st occurrence--First week of July 2021 Heard the car running hours after the car was parked and the key removed. Unlocked the driver door, put the key in and turned it forward, then back and car turned off. Double-checked it by starting car and then turning off and sitting a few minutes. Nothing else happened at that point. ---2nd occurrence-Sunday, July 25th, 2021 On camping trip...at campsite Someone in the group heard a car running. It was the 2010 Kia Soul I went to get the key and returned to the (unlocked) car and turned the car off. ---INSPECTED? Not yet ---WARNINGS? None that I noticed. Though, shortly following the incident, while driving (first 5 minutes of starting car), the OD light came on. I pulled over, turned off car, and the light did not come on again.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2021
Started my 2010 kia soul , it had a loud ruff idle to it & felt like it was choking each time i hit gas pedal. AutoZone scanner gave codes of c1513 brake lite switch implausible & code c1503 esc switch input low. Pls help me. Ive had a family emergency & need my vehicle to get my dying family memeber
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON; DIAGNOSED AS CANISTER PURGE VALVE.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2020
I EXPORTED MY KIA SOUL 2010 TO GERMANY DUE TO MILITARY MOVEMENT ORDER. AS THE CAR IS NOW REGISTERED IN GERMANY; I DID NOT GET ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM KIA US ABOUT THE RECALL SC098AM REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, RATED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY GERMAN CAR DEALER IS TRYING TO HELP ME GET THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CHANGED, BUT IS UNABLE TO GET THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FROM KIA. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THE NECESSARY WORK FROM A SAFETY RECALL DONE IN GERMANY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2019
THE BRAKES ARE NOT BRAKING THE WAY THEY SHOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN STALLED TO STOP I WAS ON I-285 GOING HOME TO JASPER GA ALSO I'VE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CAN GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR W OUT BRAKE ON
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2019
CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK, AND CANNOT BE STARTED DUE TO SAFETY FEATURE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START CAR IN GEAR. TEMPORARY FIX WAS DISCOVERED TO BE SHIFT ALL THE WAY TO 2ND GEAR, THEN BACK TO PARK. TAKING TO KIA DEALER TOMORROW TO HAVE 'SWITCH' CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE SHORT. CAR WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED. PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE. ONCE IN CARPORT THE NEXT MORNING (10/9). THEN IN PARKING LOT AFTER RETURNING FROM SHOPPING IN GROCERY STORE (10/12).
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED!
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2017
MY CAR IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING. IT IS REALLY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND I CHECKED IT TWICE THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WITH KIA AND THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AS THIS STALLING FEELS LIKE A POWERFUL STONEWALL IMPACT. IT HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN A 2 MONTH SPAN. MY KIDS GOT SCARRED TOO WHEN IT HAPPENED WHILE THEY WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. IF THE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2014
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
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2013
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