Problems · by component

2013 Kia Soul steering problems

155 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Soul cite steering, 23% of all 670 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
155
23% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Steering Collumn Rod failed, mechanic said 2013 souls, all of them are affected, and break/go bad. Once repaired, after alignment and new tires, steering wheel rubs against column and no longer is auto steering. Paint came off of black and chrome rails and body at 50,000miles. Lastly, Electrical components stopped working at 65,000 miles. Electrical for rear side mirrors, front door locks no longer work or unlock while driving, drivers door no longer stays locked and remains open with door ajar light on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11776381
“There is play in the steering wheel. Mechanic advised me a small plastic o ring holds steering wheel steady but I can’t just replace the o ring. Said I have to replace a lower a arm to get the o ring. He thinks it is a design flaw. It had no been fixed. I drive with the wiggle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026SteeringODI 11774321
“There are multiple recalls, including total engine failure recall, Kia is refusing to have it towed or reimburse for tow to dealership to fix recalls. I’ve attempted through local dealership and through Kia care corporate. There have been at least 6+ recalls, 3 of which are “urgent”, Kia has failed to repair ANY of them. I’ve already had to pay to have this vehicle towed twice when the engine failure occurred and again when I moved.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Steering, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11772118
“I've had no issues with the vehicle until 2 years ago when the steering column began getting incredibly loose. I can turn the wheel 10 degrees before turning. Now the car can no longer go above 40 MPH because the steering wheel will shake violently and the front end will vibrate and it feels like it will flip. I've read that it's most likely a plastic/rubber piece in the steering column that commonly fails in most Kia Souls 2012-2014 ish. I've had it inspected before and was told I needed to replace my entire front end suspension system... Since there are no other issue with the engine I just drive it below 30 and only a few miles at a time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026SteeringODI 11768461
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was moving freely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering wheel coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026SteeringODI 11763708
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, there was a popping and knocking sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026SteeringODI 11751189

Showing 6 of 155 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.