2015 Kia Soul steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 17V608000Sep 29, 2017342,381 vehicles
  STEERING

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.

  Risk: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 2, 2025CAFireBody & StructureEngineSteering

   As I was driving home on the highway, my car began making a noise I never heard before. I looked out of my rear view and began to see smoke coming from my car. As I was trying to get off the highway, my car began to lose control. I couldn’t get completely off the highway so I pulled into a small corner. I realized my hood was on fire when I stopped. I grabbed my purse and keys and ran down the highway as fast as I could. By this time my car was engulfed in flames. A woman…

   NHTSA complaint #11702495 · source
2. Filed Apr 21, 2025ILEngineSteering

   Hello, I own currently a car, Kia Soul 2015 , I bought it from car auction, it was recovered after theft! The car is clean title! When I got it home a mechanic looked at it and told me the piston rod came out through the engine block and engine is seized up and this is a common problem for this model of Kia, piston rod is damaging the block , oil spilling and catching fire and he told me I need to go to the dealership because some people get their cars fixed if they meet the…

   NHTSA complaint #11655733 · source
3. Filed Jan 6, 2025GAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   I was driving my 2015 Kia Soul along a 4 lane highway when the Check Engine light came on and begun to flash. The Kia began to lose about 5 mph off and then return to the previous rate of speed a few minutes later. Then it would repeat the cycle. As the vehicle lost the engine power, the steering also became very tight as if the power steering was also malfunctioning. I could also hear a slight tapping sound, as the driver side window was open just a few inches. Since I had…

   NHTSA complaint #11634251 · source
4. Filed Jun 16, 2024FLAirbagsEngineSteering

   I am experiencing multiple safety and performance issues with my 2015 Kia Soul: 1.Vibration at Idle: Significant vibration when the vehicle is idling at a red light. Possible causes include worn engine mounts, faulty spark plugs or ignition coils, issues with the idle control valve or throttle body, or vacuum leaks. 2.Electrical Issues: • Codes: B111216 (Ignition Voltage Low), B17672F (OCS Algorithm Cut Off), B251100 (Head Lamp High LH SCG), B251300 (Head Lamp Low LH SCG) •…

   NHTSA complaint #11594618 · source
5. Filed Nov 18, 2023FLCrashTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteeringWheels & Tires

   Car has an heavy gas smell like when the car is started ,has to crank up and car shakes when it’s started steering is off and etc.

   NHTSA complaint #11555795 · source
6. Filed Aug 29, 2023NJEngineOther / UnknownSteering

   The car stalls constantly and has been going on for years. Kia had claimed to have fixed the problem that they had fixed the problem however they never did because the car has been continuing to stop in the middle of the road. This car is very dangerous and it has no recalls on it. The catalytic converter is a problem and even though it has been a problem for Kia souls mine is not listed in the recall. Needless to say that this has put me and my child in immediate…

   NHTSA complaint #11541522 · source
7. Filed Apr 28, 20234,796 miILAirbagsSteering

   The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a rattling noise heard in the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that after the vehicle was returned, the steering, air bags, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated…

   NHTSA complaint #11519529 · source
8. Filed Apr 1, 2023OHElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   I have had several issues with my car. The check engine light is on, and now my traction control light comes on all the time now. When that happens my car won't tact. I had auto zone check out the check engine light, was told it was the catalytic converter. My mechanic changed my oil and told me to start checking my oil every 500 miles, that it was consuming oil. I paid Kia 170.00 to confirm what auto zone told me. So I average a quart of added oil every 750 to 1000 miles. I…

   NHTSA complaint #11514917 · source
9. Filed Feb 21, 2023FLSteering

   We took our Kia Soul to a Kia Service shop Dec 2022 because the steering is making a clicking sound when the wheel is turned from the 11 o’clock to the 2 o’clock position. This condition is consistent with a Kia Safety Recall issued in November 2017, and has been confirmed by another source. We were told that by the dealership, Brandon Courtesy Kia in Florida that they would repair this dangerous steering issue for a cost of $1227.97 because they excluded it from the recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11508316 · source
10. Filed Dec 8, 202285,000 miALTowedSteering

    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that a clicking noise was present when turning the steering wheel in either direction. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to seize, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering gear was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer…

    NHTSA complaint #11496599 · source
11. Filed Oct 13, 2022TNEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

    My car just shut down out of the blue. There was no warning of any sort as far as anything showing that needed repair with my vehicle. It just started jerking one day. I took it to the Kia dealership and they confirmed that it was due to the recall part but will not fix the part.

    NHTSA complaint #11489225 · source
12. Filed Sep 12, 2022MESteering

    While operating the vehicle the power steering ubruptly stopped working for approximately 5 seconds making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle

    NHTSA complaint #11483981 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology