NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Kia Soul. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I PURCHASED A 2010 KIA SOUL, AND 8 DAYS LATER SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL, DOOR LOCK, AND WINDOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE WINDOW MOTOR. THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS UNPLUGGED AND I WAS ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT HOME. THE DEALER SAID THE MOTOR WOULD COME IN THE FOLLOWING DAY BUT I COULD DRIVE IT UNTIL THEN. I DROVE APPROX. 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND SMOKE STARTING POURING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND THE SPEAKERS CAUGHT FIRE. THE WHOLE SIDE DOOR PANEL, SPEAKERS, AND CARPET MELTED/FIRE DAMAGE. IT'S BEEN 4 WEEKS AND I AM STILL DRIVING A RENTAL CAR. KIA CORPORATE HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND OFFERED OPTIONS IN REPLACEMENT/COMPENSATION. *TR
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A SMALL ROCK CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GLASS SPECIALIST WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD FRACTURE AGAIN IF STRUCK AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING WITH TOUGHER GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE AN ENGINEER FURTHER EXAMINE THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,813.
WE REAR-ENDED A 2004 EXPEDITION IN OUR 2010 KIA SOUL AT 20MPH. MY WIFE SUSTAINED A "TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY" AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS BEING CUT IN HALF (BOTH SIDES) BEFORE THE SENSORS WERE ACTIVATED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE WIRING HARNESS CUT IN THE ACCIDENT AND THE CAR. MY 39 YEAR OLD WIFE WILL NOW SPEND THE REST OF HER LIFE DISABLED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR. KIA STATES THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE AT 20MPH. THIS IS NOT A 5 STAR FRONTAL IMPACT DESIGN. THE FUEL SHUT OFF DID NOT ACTIVATE, 'ALL SAFETY FEATURES FAILED'. I DROVE THE CAR 1/4 MILE TO A PARKING LOT AFTER THE WRECK, ONTO A TRAILER LATER THAT DAY, OFF THE TRAILER, BACK ONTO A TRAILER AND OFF AGAIN. THE DEALER TOLD US TO POUND SAND AND CALL KIA IF WE WEREN'T SATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS. *TR
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. *TR
4-8-10 AAA TELLS ME THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING WHEN THEY CHANGED A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT BRAKES AND PATCH TIRE. DEALERSHIP DID NO REPAIRS. 4-26-10 2010 KIA SOUL SE2, BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN CAR AHEAD STOPPED CAUSING MY CAR TO REAR END THAT CAR. SPEED UNDER 15 MPH. $3000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. SCRATCH TO OTHER CAR. 5-11-10 INDEPENDENT MASTER MECHANIC INSPECTED BRAKES AND THINKS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. ADVISES LEMON LAW APPLICATION STARTED. *TR
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT BASE OF WINDOW COVERED BY THE WIPER NOT WHERE A ROCK COULD ACCESS IT. THE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED IN MARCH OF 2010 AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS. I AM UNWILLING TO FIX DUE TO THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH AMERICAN GLASS THAT IS NOT SO SOFT. *TR
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. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL WITH NEXEN CLASS A PREMIUM TIRES, SIZE P205/55 R/16 AND DOT NUMBER AE8K. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON MARCH 15, 2010 AND ON JUNE 15, 2010. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ALSO BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A BLISTER AND WOULD POTENTIALLY BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE, BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,933 FOR THE FIRST BLOW OUT AND 21,731 FOR THE SECOND.
I HAVE MY KIA SOUL 2010 SINCE OCTOBER 2009. APPROXIMATELY IN MARCH 2010 I SAW ONE OF THE FRONT HANKOOK TIRES HAD A BIG BUBBLE. THEN FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER; ANOTHER TIRE IN THIS CASE A REAR TIRE HAD A BUBBLE TOO. I SPOKE WITH MAINTENANCE DEALER IN PUERTO RICO AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS ABUSE OF MY PART AND NEED TO REPLACE THEM. IN AUGUST 2010 THE THIRD TIRE; IN FRONT HAD APPEAR WITH A BUBBLE TOO. I AM DRIVING THIS CAR WITH THESE 3 TIRES WITH BUBBLES; I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND ONE DAY ONE OF THEM COULD BURST IN THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND LOST MY LIFE. ITS WEIRD A TIRE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
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. *TR
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. *TR
I PURCHASE A 2010 KIA SOUL ! ON 12/31/2009. SOON AFTER I NOTICES HOW EASILY THE PILLARS AND PARTS OF THE DOOR PANEL BECAME SCRATCHED AND NICKED BUT THE SEAT BELT. REPORT IT TO KIA USA AND WAS ISSUED A KIA CONSUMER # K1695129 AND WAS INFORMED THAT A FIX WOULD BE COMING IN APRIL THEN IN JUNE. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM KIA SINCE. THE PLASTIC IS VERY SOFT AND CAN EVEN BE DAMAGED BY A FINGER NAIL. I WOULD LIKE THIS SUB-STANDARD PLASTIC TO BE REPLACED. *TR
WE HAVE A 2010 KIA SOUL THAT'S DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AFTER YOU OPEN THE DOOR AND THEN TRY TO SHUT IT THE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE. EVEN IF YOU TRY AND ENGAGE THE LOCK THE DOOR WILL NOT SECURE. THE ONLY FIX THAT WE HAVE FOUND SO FAR IS TO TAKE A KEY AND INSERT IT INTO THE LATCH. WITH THE KEY IN THE LATCH YOU MOVE THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE EDGE TOWARDS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS HAS RELEASED THE LATCH WHERE IT WILL CATCH. I CAN SEE THIS BECOMING A SERIOUS DANGER IF THE LATCH FAILS TO SECURE WHEN SOMEONE IS DRIVING AND THE DOOR COMES FLYING OPEN. EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE LAW TO WARE A SEAT BELT IN MOST PLACES THERE ARE STILL THOSE THAT DON'T. EVEN BEYOND THE SEAT BELT ISSUE MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE STARTLED BY THE DOOR JUST FLYING OPEN. *TR
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. *TR
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. *TR
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. *TR
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. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED DURING THE TRAVEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER DISPENSING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK; THE FUEL CONTINUOUSLY SPRAYS OUT. ALSO, THERE WAS FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.
FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD CHIPS AND CRACKS FROM THE EDGE EASILY AND OFTEN. I HAD THE FIRST WINDOW REPLACED AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES AND THAT WINDOW WAS A GENUINE KIA WINDOW INSTALLED AND NOW IT HAS TWO SMALL CHIPS AND A CRACK FROM THE EDGE OF THE GLASS AND ONE BIG CHIP AT 8,000 MILES. I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY DRIVING AND HAVE NEVER OCCURRED THIS MANY WINDOW DEFECTS. I BELIEVE THE WINDOW TO BE NOT PROPERLY ANNEALED OR TREATED IN THE FURNACE OR IT IS JUST TOO THIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONTACT HIT A DEER WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO CRUSH INWARD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4276.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED AND THE BRAKES MADE A NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED, CAUSING THE BRAKES NOT TO ENGAGE AT A NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURES HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOR PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 95,000.
I JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2010 KIA SOUL. I AM VERY CAREFUL AND TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CARS, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THE DOOR PANELS ON THIS VEHICLE TEND TO SCRATCH UP WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF EVEN A FINGER NAIL. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW HORRIBLE IT GETS WITH NORMAL WEAR, AND I CONSIDER MYSELF OBSESSIVELY CAREFUL WITH MY CARS AND ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT SCRATCH THESE PANELS. HORRIBLE WORKMANSHIP TO THE POINT THAT IT MUST BE SOME SORT OF DEFECT. HAS ANYONE ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ? MY PURCHASE DATE WAS 9/18/09 AND MY INTERIOR DOOR PANELS LOOK 5 YEARS OLD AND ABUSED. ALSO, THE FRONT END ON THIS CAR RUMBLES LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE, VERY SLOPPY SOUNDING FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. STEERING FEELS FINE BUT THE NOISE AND RUMBLING IS UNBEARABLE. VERY POORLY PUT TOGETHER AND RATTLE FEELING. *TR
OUR NEW SOUL+ WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 NEW. IT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATE THAT SCRATCHES AND SCUFFS WERE COMING OUT ON THE INTERIOR PANELS. THE SLIGHTEST SCUFF OR EVEN JUST SCRATING WITH A FINGERNAIL WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE A PERMANENT SCRATCH. VERY POOR QUALITY PANELS AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS ON A SOUL FORUM...I AM NOT ALONE. *TR
ON AUGUST 5, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 2010 KIA SOUL WHEN IT BROKE DOWN. THE ENGINE GOT STUCK IN SECOND AND IT TOOK FOR EVER TO GET TO THIRD DESPITE PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE IT DID IT WOULD JERK HER AROUND. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 THE SAME ISSUES CAME BACK. ADDITIONALLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. ALSO WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT DOWN SHIFT ON ITS OWN WHILE JERKING YOU FORWARD. IT THEN RELEASES LUNGING THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER. THEY SAID THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *TR
2010 KIA SOUL WINDSHIELD HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO. YES, CAUSED BY SMALL ROCKS FROM THE ROAD. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WE PAID OVER $50.00 TO HAVE THE CRACKS "BLOWN". THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER A ROCK HITS AGAIN THIS TIME THE SMALL ROCK HAS CREATED A MASSIVE CRACK AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE BUT IF I DID ISN'T IT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN? I'VE BEEN DRIVING A LONG TIME AND I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR A WINDSHIELD ONE TIME. NOW IN THE SPAN OF 4 MONTHS ITS BEEN 3 TIMES. *TR
WITHIN A WEEK OF TAKING DELIVERY ON 7/24/09, THE INTERIOR AND MOST ESPECIALLY THE DOOR SKINS WERE ALREADY ACQUIRING MARKS AND SCRATCHES - A SLIGHT FINGER NAIL SCRATCH REQUIRED A SPECIAL PRODUCT TO REMOVE ETC. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. 1. WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH PEDAL THERE WAS A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CABLE THAT HAS SINCE BECOME MORE CONSISTENT. ON 8/3/09, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CABLE CONNECTED TO THE THROW-OUT BEARING WHICH WAS SAID TO BE NORMAL. HOWEVER, THIS CABLE NOISE HAS NOT BEEN NORMAL WITH ANY OF MY OTHER MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, NOR IS IT PRESENT IN ALL KIA SOULS. 2. I BEGAN TO NOTICE A KNOCKING SENSATION COMING THROUGH THE SHIFTER HANDLE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR ALONG WITH A GRINDING SOUND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR. THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT JOLT WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR - IT IS NOT A SMOOTH TRANSITION LIKE THE OTHER GEARS. 3. WHEN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST GEAR, AND WANTS TO GO INTO 3RD GEAR WHICH USUALLY TAKES A COUPLE OF TRIES BEFORE IT WILL GO INTO 1ST GEAR. 4. THERE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE ENGINE REVVING 2X NOW. THE FIRST OCCURRED AFTER I CAME OUT OF REVERSE - THE SECOND WAS WHEN I TRIED TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR BUT ENDED UP IN 3RD GEAR AND BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO NEUTRAL. 5. THE LAST ISSUE CONCERNS EXCESSIVE WATER AND DIRT ACCUMULATING IN THE ENGINE. AFTER WASHING MY CAR, I POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE HOOD LATCH IS ALREADY STRIPPED DOWN TO THE METAL AFTER ONLY BEING OPENED AND CLOSED 4-5 TIMES. THE ENGINE DESIGN SEEMS TO ATTRACT POOLS OF WATER IN CERTAIN AREAS, WHICH ALSO OCCURS WHEN IT RAINS, AND THERE IS CONCERN OF PREMATURE RUST. SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 9/15 TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AT 1000 MILES AND TO GET THESE ISSUES ADDRESSED BUT HAD TO SCHEDULE A 3RD APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THE DEALER NOW NEEDS TO KEEP THE CAR FOR 5 HOURS SO THE OUTCOME IS PENDING. *TR
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2010 KIA SOUL, PURCHASED IN JULY 2009. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOISTURE ON ROAD, CAR COULD BARELY HANDLE AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE TRACTION LIGHT AND LOW AIR PRESSURE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY CAME ON AND OFF. WAS TOLD IT WAS "NOT A PROBLEM" BY DEALER AND WOULD WEAR OFF. MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT WHICH SIDE SWEPT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AT A SPEED OF APPX 10 MPH AND DROVE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL INTO CURB. CAR HAD PASSENGER SIDE BODY DAMAGE AND SOME HEAVY SCUFFING TO THREE WHEELS WHICH BODY SHOP REPAIRED. IN OCTOBER OF 2010, CLIPPED CURB TRAVELING AT APPX 20 MPH. SEVERE DAMAGE TO BOTH RIGHT SIDE WHEELS, HAD TO REPLACE THEM AS WELL AS CONTROL ARM WHICH SEEMED TO BE RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF DAMAGE FOR SUCH A SMALL INCIDENT HOWEVER HAD REPAIRS AND ALIGNMENT DONE, ALIGNMENT COULDN'T BE DONE TO SPECS, SUGGESTED I TAKE TO DEALER. TOOK CAR INTO DEALER FOR ALLIGNMENT AND TO HAVE SOUND IN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WELL INVESTIGATED. DEALER STATED REAR TOE OF CAR WAS "OUT" NEED TO HAVE A BODY SHOP LOOK AT IT. BACK TO BODY SHOP WHICH REVEALED ENTIRE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BLOWN. HAD AXLE REPLACED TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND ANOTHER ALLIGNMENT, REAR OF CAR WOULD NOT ALIGN TO SPECS. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND BODY SHOP STATES THAT EITHER THE ORIGINAL SPECS FOR CAR WERE WRONG OR PERHAPS EITHER THE ORIGINAL AXLE OR THE REPLACEMENT AXLE FROM KIA WAS BUILT OUT OF SPECS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A LIGHTLY DRIVEN CAR IN TOWN ONLY INVOLVED IN TWO VERY MINOR ACCIDENTS AND THERE IS THIS SIGNIFICANT, EXPENSIVE DAMAGE ONLY TO BE TOLD IT MAY HAVE NEVER BEEN RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE? I'VE SEEN MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUSPENSION AND LOW PROFILE TIRES ON INTERNET, THOUGHT IT WAS WORTH REPORTING. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. *TR
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. *TR
ALL INTERIOR DOORS ARE NICKED AND SCRATCHED ESPECIALLY THE FRONT DOORS. THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR LOOKS LIKE A TEN YEAR OLD CAR AND THIS IS A 2010 SOUL. CALLED KIA MANY TIMES AND THEY JUST CONTINUE TO TELL ME THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF ALREADY! I WANT THE PANELS REPLACED WITH A HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCT. ALSO HAVE NOTICED WHEN I DRIVE ON ROUGH ROAD OR HIT BUMPS OR HOLES THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE CONTROL A BIT. LIKE IT SKIPS ACROSS THE ROAD AND I CAN'T STOP IT. I CAN'T SEEM TO STEER IT FOR THAT BRIEF SECOND. *TR
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH OFF FROM A SIDE STREET, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO PULL AWAY FROM HIM. HE STATED THAT HE HAD TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL EXTREMELY HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,500.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REVS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. THE RPMS WILL GO FROM 1,500 TO 3,000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FEW DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THEY ALL STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 09/01/09 *BF
2010 KIA SOUL 5 DOOR WAGON 2.0 L MT 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION THE CAR OVER REVS BETWEEN SHIFTS AND HAS A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL THAT GOES TO THE FLOOR AND AS YOUR BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN AT STOPS YOUR FOOT TOUCHES THE FOOT FEED AND CAUSES THE CAR TO REVS UP WHILE STOPPING. I HAVE MADE MANY VISITS TO KIA IN LAKE MANAWA KIA IN COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA AND KIA OF GRAND ISLAND, NE. I HAVE TALKED TO 2 KIA SERVICE REPS AND THEY SAY THAT?S JUST HOW THE CAR IS AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT. I TOOK THEM TO BBB ARBITRATION COURT FOR A VEHICLE BUY BACK AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY FIXED ONE THE ROOF DAMAGE FROM ASSEMBLY AND ONE RECALL ON MASTER CYLINDER. THE CAR STILL OVER REVS AND AT STOPS SIGNS THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. THE BRAKES WORRY ME AND THE CAR IS SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS. I THINK KIA SHOULD REPLACE MY CAR OR FIX IT OR BEING THE 5 SPEEDS HAVE THESE BUGS YET IN THE 2010 MODELS THEY SHOULD GET ME INTO A AUTOMATIC THAT DOESN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH 17, 2009. I CALLED THEM WITHIN A WEEK OF GETTING THE CAR AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT WHEN I CAME IN FOR MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID THE SERVICE REP WOULD LOOK AT IT. BUT THE REP COULD COME IN FOR 3 MONTH DUE TO AN ACCIDENT HE WAS IN. WHEN HE WAS IN HE SAID THAT?S THE WAY THE CARS WERE BUT I DIDN'T BUY THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR OVER 50 YRS AND I KNOW THIS ISN'T HOW A CAR SHOULD PERFORM. ALSO THE CAR WAS SO NEW I DIDN'T ALSO BUY THAT?S HOW THEY PERFORM HE DID SAY HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A SHOP MANUAL FOR IT YET. PREVIOUSLY I HAD RECOMMEND A KIA TO MY SON AND HE WENT TO WITCHITA,KS KIA AND THEY TOLD HIM YOU DON'T WANT A KIA SOUL 5 SPEED BECAUSE THEY OVER REV BETWEEN SHIFTS. I ALSO RECOMMENDED KIA TO MY DAUGHTER AND BROTHER-IN LAW AND THEY BOUGHT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS AND THEY HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH OVER REVS. AFTER THIS I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND KIA TO ANYONE ELSE AFTER MY PROBLEMS WITH KIA SERVICE.*CW