2010 Kia Soul
Common Problems
Ranked from 67 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
11 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Airbag system failure with warning light illumination
14complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbag warning light illuminates and remains on, and in some cases, airbags fail to deploy during collisions.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 10V388000
- 2
Electrical system malfunctions including smoke and fire risks
12complaintsSafety riskElectricalElectrical system failures cause smoke, fire, or random warning lights, often originating from the radio or wiring harness.
Related recall: 10V388000
- 3
Interior Plastic Panels Scratch Easily
10complaintsMedium severityOtherThe interior plastic panels, including door skins, pillars, and center console, scratch easily from normal use, such as seat belt retraction or fingernail contact, giving the vehicle a worn appearance.
- 4
Engine stalling or shutting off while driving
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls or shuts off unexpectedly while driving, often without warning lights or prior symptoms.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Transmission hesitation and shifting issues
7complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission hesitates during gear shifts or fails to shift properly, especially in second gear.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Brake system failure with grinding noise and reduced stopping power
5complaintsHigh severityBrakesBrake system malfunctions include grinding noises, reduced stopping power, and failure to engage properly.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Steering Lock-Up or Difficulty Turning
5complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering wheel locked up or became difficult to turn, especially during sharp maneuvers or after hitting bumps.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Tire Sidewall Bulging/Bubbling
4complaintsMedium severityOtherTires developed bulges or bubbles on the sidewalls, leading to blowouts or replacement recommendations.
- 9
Windshield Cracking and Shattering
4complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields cracked or shattered easily from minor impacts or chips, requiring replacement.
- 10
Suspension component failure causing noise and instability
3complaintsMedium severitySuspensionSuspension components such as springs or sway bars crack, break, or cause abnormal noise and instability.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Check engine light activation due to purge valve or sensor issues
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe check engine light activates due to issues with the purge valve or sensor in the fuel system.
$100–$600est. evap system repair · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.