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.
2012 Kia Soul steering coupler defect, attached is my receipt to repair a defective plastic steering coupling that resulted in a steering hazard (shimmying, shaking, vibrating) while making a road trip to fl. Unfortunately Kia corporate refuses to accept this as a defect issue even though they extended their Kia optima warranty on this defect due to the amount of problems generated through complaints. The service tech at Kia I spoke with confirmed they had received complaints about the Soul steering coupling but couldn't say how many complained or how many complaints would be needed to affect a recall so I had to incur a $300+ expense to have it replaced. Please contact me @ [xxx]. my email is [xxx]. thank you for your assistance. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
When car is running and in park turning the steering wheel an inch or so in either direction is very loose at first till it begins to become firm and you hear a thud. The amount of play is about an inch going to the right or to the left.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving and when making turns, the steering column made an abnormal popping noise. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Kia of South austin (located at 5306 S ih 35 frontage rd, austin, tx 78745, (512) 444-6635) where it was diagnosed that the flex coupler on the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The steering is making a loud clonking noise while turning, stationary or driving, worst on the highway. I replaced and balanced the tires but still doing it. It's scary. I see there are more reports of the same problem.
Takata recall I took my car to Firestone to have an oil change and check the breaks. I was told when I turn the car left it makes a god awful noise and the wheel shakes. I have a 75000 mike warranty on it. This better be covered. I see a lot of complaints about this same issue and it should be a recall. This is ridiculous.
- Coatesville, PA, USA
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Around 60,000 miles I began to notice a clunking noise in the steering column. It started out minimal, only happening slightly when I would turn the wheel (this was both when the car was stationary and in motion). It has progressively become worse and now on top of the clunking noise when turning, my wheel shakes violently when I reach a speed of 70 mph.
"takata recall" the steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning to the right or left. Kia said there was no recall on this. As time goes on it is getting worse and if one day something happens to me you will hear from a lawyer and my daughters. I got a estimate for the repairs and it will be over $200. This would be less then a lawsuit.
I have a 2012 Kia Soul+ that has 80,000 miles on it and has started making the highly complained about clunking noise and shifting/loose sensation in the upper steering column when turning wheel back and forth from left to right whether stationary or driving. It has also for some time been experiencing the shaking steering wheel at around 80 mph that has complaints. I am a former mechanic and through reading all the similar complaints and seeing symptom/repair videos I have diagnosed my clunking steering column to be caused by a failed steering coupler. This is a problem that has been recalled by Kia on other vehicles but not on 2012 Soul. I am interested to find out if this coupler is also behind my shaking steering wheel at higher speeds. Shaking is not due to tires, wheels, or alignment/parts problems as problem was same before I just put new tires on and had balance/alignment done. Also was no different between several tire rotations of old tires. This steering coupler issue should have Kia recalling all vehicles that have reports of this failure. I am loosing faith in Kia motors. I should not have to replace this part on my time/money.
Car has just over 60K miles. Knocking in the steering wheel area when turning the steering wheel left or right. The knocking occurs while driving at any speed, highway or city streets. If sitting in neutral with engine on, turn the steering wheel left or right and you feel and hear the knocking sound.
There has been a clicking noise when turning the wheel to either side, whiling driving or in still mode. It seems as this has also been an issue with later motels as their was a recall involving the steering system for years 2014 - 2016. From research, there have been many talk from 2012 Kia Soul owners having to have their coupler in the steering wheel column replaced due to possible safely issues.
2012 Kia soulwith 15,000 miles: Steering makes a clunking noise and has a lot of play in it. Even when sitting still. When driving it also has play and makes clunking noise. Took it to dealership and was told the coupler is bad, and that its a common problem. The fee to fix is $200, and not covered by warranty because I'm not the original owner, even though the mileage is so low. Other Kia Souls have recalls, this year should as well.
My steering wheel started making this clunking noise it had 50000 mile on it, took it to my Kia dealer, the told me it was a flexible coupling and they wanted to charge to replace it that my warranty ran out, I said thats a safety issue they said its not, I just got my car and went home.I foynd out that alot of Kia models had that problem and the were given a call back letter. It make no sense its the excat same part has the one called back, pluss if it doesnt get fixed I could lose my sterring the car has 52000 miles on. How can they recall model after 2013 and not 2012.
My steering wheel started making this clunking noise it had 44,507 mile on it, took it to my Kia dealer, the told me it was a flexible coupling and they wanted to charge to replace it that my warranty ran out, I said thats a safety issue they said its not, I just got my car and went home.I foynd out that alot of Kia models had that problem and the were given a call back letter. It make no sense its the excat same part has the one called back, pluss if it doesnt get fixed I could lose my sterring the car has 44000 miles on
Steering wheel loose and clicking while driving. Felt loose while stationery. Local auto shop replaced mdps flex coupling. It was totally worn out. Car had less than 39,000 miles. Apparently 2014 vehicles were recalled for this. Also Kia optima's flex joints were replaced free at the Kia dealership. This Kia Soul unes the fame flex joint.
The steering became very loose and started clanking when the steering wheel was turned in either direction while in motion on a city street travelling at less than 40 mph. The car had less than 80K miles on it at the time.
I recently noticed when stopped that the steers no wheel makes a clunking sound when steer no left to right and back again and has a little play like it's not catching. Also I recently had brake lights replaced and it quickly burned out on the bottom half of the drivers side brake light.
At 58,000 miles the Soul started to make a creaking sound when turning wheel sharply to right or left. I took it in to Kia service at Kia West in orlando. They diagnosed that rack and pinion was defective and had to be replaced = $997.09 (including the alignment it needed afterwards) -- I know the 2013 Kia Souls were recalled for safety for this very same problem and even though there are numerous complaints - Kia has not recalled the 2012 Kia Soul for rack and pinion defects.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Marietta, GA, USA