10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,962 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2010 Kia Soul body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2010 Kia Soul Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 152010

Soul

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Clemson, SC, USA

problem #11

Apr 242009

Soul

  • 250 miles
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.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

problem #10

Feb 032010

Soul

  • 2,200 miles
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.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 182010

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Concord, NH, USA

problem #8

Mar 152010

Soul

  • 3,000 miles
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.

- Casper, WY, USA

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problem #7

Dec 282009

Soul

  • 1,000 miles
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.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #6

Nov 112009

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 012010

Soul

  • miles
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.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #4

Jun 142009

Soul

  • 800 miles
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.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #3

Mar 012010

Soul

  • 3,000 miles
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.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #2

Dec 282009

Soul

  • 500 miles
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.

- Powell, OH, USA

problem #1

Dec 052009

Soul

  • 4,800 miles
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.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

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