2010 Kia Soul recalls and problems

The 2010 Kia Soul has 3 safety recalls and 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
135
Crashes / fires
23 / 15
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2010 Kia Soul vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2010 Kia Soul recalls

Recall 14V-822: Structure

Reported Dec 29, 2014 · 95,314 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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 13V-114: Exterior Lighting

Reported Apr 1, 2013 · 980,377 vehicles affected · Kia Motors Corporation

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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 10V-388: Electrical System

Reported Aug 31, 2010 · 35,185 vehicles affected · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur that can result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

2010 Kia Soul problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System25
Structure22
Air Bags21
Steering12
Power Train11
Service Brakes11
Unknown or Other11
Visibility10
Vehicle Speed Control9
Engine9
Tires6
Engine and Engine Cooling5

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 7
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 1
  • Structure › Frame and Members — 1
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 20,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2010 Kia Soul complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Aug 24, 2026
The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt didn't lock and at the moment it is available to be inspected. My seat belt didn't lock so it is probably why my back fractured. I don't know if the problem has ever been reproduced or confirmed. To my knowledge no one has inspected the car. There was no warning signs or lights that came on. Apparently the air bags only deploy with front or rear impact not rollovers and the seat belts don't lock either but how does a 2001 Saturn seat belts lock in a rollover but a 2010 Kia doesn't.
Steering · reported Dec 16, 2024
Hello, I would like to report that someone attempted to steal my 2010 Kia Soul. The incident occurred on [XXX], in San Jose, CA 95111. As a result of the attempted theft, there is damage to the car’s steering wheel and ignition. Please let me know if additional information or documentation is needed to assist with this report. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service Brakes · reported Nov 19, 2023
I bought car being financed in sac,ca. August 8, 2023. Took back referred to mechanic round corner. Brake rotor issues fixed front this was August 14 noise still exist took back turned back rotors scraping noise pulling to left took to other automotive repairs ,inspections shocks original 2010 208,000 miles , brakes rotors scratches need replacing , pads, sway bar crack or been welded, sway bar link needs replacing crack control arms bushings cracked,windshield wipers needed replacing, check engine light I replaced coils and spark plugs, valve cover gasket leak ,front tires worn . Brakes sway…
Electrical System · reported Oct 25, 2023
I was driving down the interstate on my way to work when my check engine light turned on and began flashing rapidly. I then began to get over to the shoulder and into safety when I heard what sounded like a loud dropping sound come from the engine and smoke started coming out of the hood. When I got pulled over to the shoulder, I ran and popped my hood and saw that the whole battery was on fire, within minutes the whole car was engulfed and I was told to get back for my safety by someone that stopped.
Air Bags · at 172,470 miles · reported Jun 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,470.

Other Kia Soul years

Compare all Kia Soul years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Kia Soul have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Kia Soul: 14V-822 (structure), 13V-114 (exterior lighting), 10V-388 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Kia Soul?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (25 reports), followed by structure (22). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 20,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.