2012 Kia Soul steering problems
166 complaints about steering have been filed for the 2012 Kia Soul, which is 25% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 166 25% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 69,000 miles 92 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 2
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When steering problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 10 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 12 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 12 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 28 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 92 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 68,000 miles, and 37% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 3 crashes, 6 injuries, 2 deaths.
What owners wrote
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 kia soul. While driving at an unknown speed, a vehicle in front depressed the brakes abruptly causing the driver to crash into the rear of the preceding vehicle. As a result, the driver merged onto oncoming traffic and crashed into two other vehicles. The driver was fatally injured. The driver of the first vehicle that was impacted also sustained fatal injuries. The front passenger in the first vehicle sustained shock trauma and the child seated in the rear sustained unknown injuries.
The steering wheel makes a clunking noise. I noticed there have been recalls issued for the steering but not yet for the 2012. Don't you think this is also a problem? I am very afraid to drive it like this. The noise happens when the car is parked and on and also when driving, and has a lot of "play" in the wheel when moving! Please help!!
Other problems reported for the 2012 Kia Soul
- Engine 241 complaints
- Brakes 46 complaints
- Electrical system 38 complaints
- Fuel system 23 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 21 complaints
- Body & structure 18 complaints
- Air bags 17 complaints