128 complaints reported

2013 Kia Soul Steering

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
128
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2023

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?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
Nov 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2023
Nov 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Oct 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2023
Oct 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
Aug 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2023
Aug 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2023
Jul 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2023
Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown part was repaired, and the mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Mar 2023

My steering wheel is so loose that I am afraid to drive my car. This is a recent problem in the last month.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
Feb 2023

Steering wheel makes a rattling sound when I drive. I would like to know if this is a safety risk? The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. Warning light come on.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2022
Sep 2022

My steering wheel just started shaking as I turning a corner. Now, if I go over 60 mph my car wants to jump all over the road. I’ve been told it’s the (MDPS) steering coupler by a few mechanics. Download the recall letter from Kia advising of this and the dealership says my VIN is not covered.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2022
May 2022

Steering coupler has failed within the steering system making the steering not as it normally has functioned.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2022
May 2022

My steering wheel just started shaking as I turning a corner .. Niw if I go over 60 mph my car wants to jump all over the road.. I’ve been told it’s the steering coupler but a few mechanics.. It dangerous to drive on the freeway.. Im afraid I will crash with my 8 month old son in the car..

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2022
May 2022

Steering coupler bad Looked online and the noise my car is making When I go back-and-forth with the steering wheel when the car is turned on but I’m not driving ! Makes a clicking noise it also make that noise when I’m driving

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Mar 2022

Car has - low - 41500 miles There is a play in the steering wheel and a " tump- tump" sound can be heard when at a stop and low speeds- while turning the steering wheel.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2022
Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started making an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the plastic bearing bushing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,577.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2022
Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering column would make a popping sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
Feb 2022

My steering wheel is rattling when going around 50-60 mph. When driving on a gravel road the car bounces all over the place when going more than 5 mph. Steering functionality is seriously compromised. 60,000 miles, single owner, no wrecks or potholes hit.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Dec 2021

Has a thud while turning the steering wheel left and right at a stop. Steering wheel shakes and vibrates when droving over bumpy road or train tracks. Steering for now unaffected.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2021
Dec 2021

there is a knocking noise in the steering, there is apparently a recall out for this issue on this make and model with similar years.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
Nov 2021

Steering system 'clunking' and getting unstable, increasingly 'loose.' Called local Kia service department about six weeks ago but they never returned my call. Contacted live agent online yesterday, hopefully someone will call back. I'm very afraid to drive it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Sep 2021

I have a clicking noise in the steering wheel when I’m driving. Turning the wheel to left or right it clicks. This is not safe

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

My steering wheel is making a loud thudding sound when I turn it to the left or right. It started when I was driving on the highway during a road trip. It feels super unsafe and I’m bringing it to the dealership tomorrow. This seems like it should be a recall from Kia and that as car owners, we should not have to pay for this common and serious problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Kia Soul has 128 Steering complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.