Model year record

2010 Kia Soul

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 199 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V822000

Structure: body: roof and pillars

Component
Structure: body: roof and pillars
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
95,314
Reported to NHTSA
2014-12-29
Owners notified
2015-01-29

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.

Safety risk

A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V114000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
Kia Motors Corporation
Vehicles affected
980,377
Reported to NHTSA
2013-04-01
Owners notified
2013-04-19

Defect description

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Safety risk

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V388000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
35,185
Reported to NHTSA
2010-08-31
Owners notified
2010-09-13

Defect description

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.

Safety risk

WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system2463,000 mi
Air bags1866,230 mi
Steering124,000 mi
Structure122,200 mi
Service brakes1177,000 mi
Unknown or other1172,500 mi
Engine965,000 mi
Vehicle speed control947,000 mi
Visibility93,500 mi
Power train845,000 mi
Structure: body77,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling513,248 mi
Seat belts52,200 mi
Wheels563,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)453,000 mi
Interior lighting4500 mi
Suspension487,761 mi
Tires416,933 mi
Visibility/wiper42,000 mi
Air bags: frontal316,000 mi
Exterior lighting380,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3
Fuel system, gasoline215,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2100 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2800 mi
Traction control system2500 mi
Air bags: side/window11,822 mi
Electrical system: wiring110,500 mi
Equipment160,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner12,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1800 mi
Parking brake121,300 mi
Power train: manual transmission1100 mi
Service brakes, electric11,902 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages18,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Structure: frame and members15,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems136,000 mi
Tires: sidewall170,000 mi
Visibility: windshield11,890 mi

The 2011 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.