10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,028 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.

2013 Kia Soul steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #127

Jun 132024

Soul

  • miles

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

Steering wheel shakes violently when going over 75MPH and is extremely shaky on side streets as well. The steering wheel feels like it-??s going to fall off! Got it checked out by Kia and they said the Flexible steering coupling needs repairing and it would be over $900 to do so for a part that costs less than $10! I have an extended warranty and I was told the warranty doesn-??t cover this issue, but at the bare minimum it seems like it should as it feels dangerous at times to drive the car. Also, this issue should be a recall for Kia as I have seen a ton of other people with this issue! It-??s a defect in the car and should be a free recall to be fixed.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #126

Jun 042023

Soul

  • miles
The Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Flexible Coupling part failed. Steering is difficult and causes pull to the left/right. Appears the issue has occurred across various Kia and Hyundai models.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #125

Mar 042024

Soul

  • miles
No warning indicators but my steering couple has worn and my steering now has play. Many forums says this is a know problem for KIA and they should cover but I do not see a recall.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #124

Feb 192024

Soul

  • miles

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

There is a known issue with the MDPS Flexible coupling effecting a large number of KIAs but Kia apparently hasn't included all cars manufactured during this period of time

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #123

Feb 162024

Soul

  • miles
I'm already aware of the recalls on alot of vehicles including my 2013 KIA SOUL and am aware of a judges ruling on this. How can KIA SOUL play God with peoples lives? I already filed a claim but still not not getting any help until the end of April. I'm a [XXX] woman who is at risk of getting hurt not to mention other people/and or other people close to my vehicle. This is just beyond wrong. I saved for 2 years to get a more dependable vehicles and now have to worry about an explosion. I already filed a claim but I'm scared. The radio has been funky since I got it last year. It's a used vehicle buy to me it looked new to me. I love it bur now afraid to even get in it but really don't have a choice since I'm [XXX] and don't have anyone else to get help or have another vehicle to use. I depend solely on myself. I need help with getting another vehicle until all of this mess is taken care of. I have gas gauge issues, revving up randomly, caution light staying on now and yesterday I had smoke coming out under the dash and then it just stopped while I was trying to pull off and call for help but it stopped so I came back home. The oil was changed right after I got it last year and I put new tires on it with the money I got from a junk yard in Johnson City that came to get my 98 Ford Escort that my church family helped for me after a very traumatic accident that killed my little senior rescue pommy, totaled my vehicle and I spent several days in ICU. I live on a very strict monthly income and this has caused more anxiety and panic issues that I can't even get under control with breathing exercises, journaling and taking my fur baby for walks and am back on my regular meds. Please someone needs to help me or I'm just going to give up. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Norton , VA, USA

problem #122

Jan 222024

Soul

  • miles
Steering coupler failure causes excessive vibration and notchiness in the steering. KIA informs me that this was covered by an extended warranty which expired in January 2023. I believe this to be a serious safety risk and this vehicle should be recalled by KIA to replace this part at no cost to the consumers.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #121

Oct 242023

Soul

  • miles

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

My steering coupler is bad

- Logansport , IN, USA

problem #120

Dec 022023

Soul

  • miles
I looked it up. It's called the STEERING COUPLER. The manufacturer is aware of the problem but I was never notified about it before the warranty ran out August 2023. Now it affects the steering. Here is a service notice that I found online if that helps: TSB ID: 10159268. Thank you

- Altadena, CA, USA

problem #119

Aug 022023

Soul

  • miles
The dealer originally said it was the steering coupler that was bad and needed replaced for $2000. Then they call back two weeks later to say the steering assist motor was bad and it needs to be replaced for an additional $2400. Still waiting for the parts and repairs. I see many other complaints on the steering, should this be a recall?

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #118

Oct 162023

Soul

  • miles
I-??ve had the steering slip several times and recently the steering coupler went out causing loose, bumpy steering and a popping sound when turning.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #117

Nov 012023

Soul

  • miles

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

Steering coupler needs replaced per Dealership. Vehicle has 72,000 miles only. No recall notice received. One owner. I feel they could replace an expensive item less than $550. Goodwill

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

problem #116

May 022023

Soul

  • miles
Stering wheel makes a load clacking sound also lots of slack in the wheel git alignment twice and still making the sound and drifts to the right and steering wheel shakes when driving and breaking.

- Adelanto, CA, USA

problem #115

Oct 182023

Soul

  • miles
My MDPS steering wheel coupler has completely failed. I never recieved a letter from kia and only found out they had a warranty extension through searching the web to see what the horrible noise and play in my steering wheel was. I dont qualify for this extension by 9 months. I purchased my car 1/2013 and that puts me past the 10 year mark. I see Kia has extended this warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles on the newer cars with the same mileage, is there a chance they will do it with the souls or have they and maybe i am missing it.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #114

Jun 042023

Soul

  • 147,769 miles
About 3 months ago my steering wheel started rattling and continues to get worse I haven-??t had it looked at yet but I think I need to also my dash lights come off and on all the time do you think I have a problem

- Columbia , MO, USA

problem #113

Sep 282023

Soul

  • miles
The steering on my 2013 Kia soul makes a clunking noise when steering left or right. The steering feels very unstable while driving. If I reach 75 mph the steering gets very noisy and loose. I-??m now afraid to drive the vehicle. Upon researching this issue, I found that I am not the only one experiencing this problem. I haven-??t taken it to a dealer as of yet. I wanted to see if there was a recall on it. There has been no warning lamps or messages appearing.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #112

Aug 012023

Soul

  • miles
My 2013 Kia Soul does not currently have a recall issued for it, but there is a known steering problem that has resulted in 345,000 Kia Souls being recalled. The recall starts with models manufactured in 2013, and yet my model has been excluded. The recall that was issued affects Souls manufactured for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years, spanning manufacture dates from July 21, 2013 though September 30, 2015. Warning signs of an impending failure could be a clunking noise from the steering rack when turning. My 2013 Kia Soul has been experiencing this same clunking noise that has been increasing in severity and causing issues with steering. I am extremely concerned about the safety of driving a car with known steering issues. When I contacted my Kia dealer directly about this concern, they said that the recall wasn't issued for my VIN number. The issue appears to be prevalent for Kia Souls dating back further to 2012, as I have researched to see if others have experienced the same or similar issue. I have attached screenshots of other consumers who have experienced this issue and were also not included in the recall years. There were no warning lamps or messages and the issue has gotten progressively worse, and much more severe, over the past few weeks.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #111

Aug 032023

Soul

  • miles
Steering coupler is going out. KIA will not cover repair even though it covers 10 years and unlimited miles.

- Brookline , MO, USA

problem #110

Aug 182023

Soul

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" MDSP, Steering wheel. The steering wheel makes a loud click/clang sound when turning the wheel right or left. This occurs when car is in parking or moving condition. Yes, it is available upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk" My teenage son (high school) and wife are the main drivers and are now very concerned about their safety. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center" No not yet. Kia has informed us that the 10 yr extended warranty has expired and they will not be able to cover this issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No not yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #109

Apr 142023

Soul

  • miles
Steering feels unstable. Knocking noise near steering gear box when turning wheel and steering feels sloppy.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #108

Jun 232023

Soul

  • 136,584 miles
My engine light is on. Second, I hear a noise when I turn my steering wheel.

- West Park , FL, USA

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