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
135 reports, newest first.
Air bags, May 16, 2019, crash, fire
"TAKATA RECALL" THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR WAS HIT TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND. A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT AND COULD NOT AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE. TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT WAY ON CITY STREET. INSURANCE HAVE TOTALED THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2019
HEAD LIGHTS, A/C, POWER WINDOWS, SUN ROOF, WIPERS AND HORN ALL STOPPED WORKING AT ONCE.IT WAS ON A HOT DAY. THEN ALL JUST STARTED WORKING AFTER CAR HAD COOLED DOWN. SAME THING HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, SOMETIME IN LATE JUNE OR EARLY JULY 2017. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTERWARD BUT THEY COULDN'T HELP.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 29, 2019
THIS AND OTHER MODELS OF KIA/HYUNDAI HAVE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH AUTO TRANS A4CF1/2 ELECTRICA HARNESS THAT FAILS PREMATURELY AND FREQUENTLY, INCLUDING TEMP SENSOR INTERGRATED INTO IT. CAR NOW HAS 94K AND CODE P0713 FOR THE TEMP SENSOR FAILURE AND RECENTLY P0765 FOR SELONOID D, WHICH IS ALL RELATED TO WIRE HARNESS INSIDE TRANS. TEMP SENSOR FAILS, AND SOLDER CONNECTIONS BECOME LOOSE AND IRRETIC SHIFTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND ALL SORTS OF TRANS PROBLEMS START. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED UPON OWNERS TAKING CARS TO DEALER OR TRANS SHOP, THEY ARE TOLD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE NO GOOD.
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED!
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE, WHICH LED TO FIRE, UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND THEN TOWED TO THE VEHICLE'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Dec 19, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE HEADLIGHT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A SEAT BELT INJURY ON HER CHEST AND A NOSE INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 12, 2018, crash
AUTO SE ACELER CAUSANDO ACCIDENTE. ENTRANDO AL ESTACIONAMIENTO SE ACELER CHOCANDO CON LA PARED DEL CONDOMINIO
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.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 15, 2018
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, ONCE WHEN THE CRUISE WAS ON AND ONCE WHEN IT WASN'T. THE KIA SOUL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING OR SLOW DOWN TO LESS THAN 20 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE OR FOUR LANE BOTH TIMES AND HAD TIME TO GET OVER ON THE BERM AND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK AND THEN TURN OFF IMMEDIATELY. I TRIED TO RESTART AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 7,000 IN PARK. I LET CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES...FIRST TIME WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT SEEMED TO BE OKAY. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THIS TIME CAR WOULD NOT RESET AND WHEN TRYING TO RESTART, ENGINE WAS REVVING TO 7,000 RPM IN PARK. I TOLD ALL THIS TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG...I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH, LOOKS LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES.
Engine, Oct 20, 2017
THE TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING AFTER 3RD OR 4TH GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SHIFT HARD AND NOT RIGHT FROM TAKE OFF. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 14, 2017
WIRING CONNECTOR CONNECTED TO THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY MELTED. I HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY A YEAR EARLIER TO ITS FAILURE. UPON THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK MY CAR TO CALLING THE DEALER, IT WAS MENTIONED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BY THE DEALER. THE MELTING OF THIS CONNECTOR CAUSED THE ENGINE TO START OVER HEATING AND THE A/C TO NO LONGER COOL. DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE CONNECTOR IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IT WOULD TAKE REPLACING THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 65,000 MILES ON IT.
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.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 14, 2016, crash, fire
AS I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 IT HAD STARTED TO RAIN. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH IN A 70 MPH ZONE WHEN AN 18 WHEELER WENT BY ME GOING 85 MPH OR MORE. IT PUSHED WATER ON THE ROAD OVER INTO MY LANE AND I FELT MY WHEELS BEGIN TO MOVE. I LET OFF THE GAS AND GRIPPED THE WHEEL. MY ESC LIGHT NEVER TURNED ON. I HYDROPLANED FROM MY LANE INTO THE RIGHT LANE THEN BACK INTO MY LANE AND OFF THE ROAD. THE WHEELS LOCKED ABOUT 20 FEET OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR TIPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND HIT A TREE. I HAD MY SEATBELT ON AS I SAT AND DIALED 911. MY WINDSHIELD WAS SPIDERWEBBED, MY HOOD OF THE CAR WAS UP, AND ALL MY BELONGINGS WERE THROWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. I WAS WEARING MY PRESCRIPTION GLASSES AND A HEADBAND AND WITH THE FORCE OF THE HIT, BOTH WERE THROWN OFF MY FACE. AS I SAT IN THE CAR ON THE PHONE WITH 911 THE CAR BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE. I UNBUCKLED MY SEATBELT AND GOT OUT THE DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER. WHEN I GOT OUT I REALIZED NOT ONE AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLE WENT OFF. NOT EVEN THE SIDE ONES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2016
MY HORN DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I ALMOST WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT TRYING TO PREVENT A CAR SIDESWIPING ME TO CROSS LANES - I KEPT TRYING TO HONK THE HORN. IT WOULD NOT WORK SO I HAD TO JAM ON MY BRAKES AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED TOO. I WROTE TO KIA AND GOT NO RESPONSE. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE - A DRIVER TO THE RIGHT OF ME CUT ME OFF TO GET INTO THE TURN LANE TO THE LEFT OF ME.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 (NA) KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 15V736000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, May 24, 2016
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE ADMINISTRATOR REGARDING TAKATA AIRBAGS. *SMD
Structure, May 24, 2016
SUN ROOF FALLS OUT OF TRACKS
Air bags, Mar 5, 2016
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON (DRIVER SIDE) AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLIES ON AND OFF. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER REPORTS A NEW MODULE NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED BUT IT WOULD BE CHARGED TO THE OWNER. I DISAGREE AS THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND FROM REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ON LINE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT.
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.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 4, 2016
MY 2010 KIA SOUL IS CEASING AND LOCKING UP ON ME AND MY ENGINE IS SHUTTING OFF. IT HAS DONE THIS FIVE TIMES. I DOCUMENTED TWICE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD TO RECREATE IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD SAY THIS. WHEN I TURN RIGHT THE WHEEL WILL TURN LEFT AND IT WILL STIFFEN AND SHUTT OFF. I ALMOST CRASHED 5 TIMES. 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 25, 2016
THE STOP LAMP SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, DESPITE THIS EXACT PART BEING RECALLED BACK IN 2013. THE STOP LAMPS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED.
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION, THE KEY WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE, AND THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2015
CAR WAS PARKED UNDER CARPORT. I CAME BACK TO CAR REAR WINDOW HAD EXPLODED NO INDICATION OF FOUL PLAY. REPLACED 8/24/15. THEN AGAIN CAR PARKED UNDER CARPORT EXPLODED AGAIN 2ND TIME 10/09/15. WHEN IT EXPLODES LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE CRAWLED IN HATCHBACK AND PUSHED GLASS OUTWARD, GLASS COMPANY SAFELITE CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 4, 2015
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SEEMD TO SHIFT DOWN TO 3RD GEAR ALMOST HAVING THE CAR BEHIND US REAREND US. HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL THE TIME IF WE GO OVER 65 OR 70.