VehicleVerdict

2010 Kia Soul problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Kia Soul sits mid-pack among Soul years: 193 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 292, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (30), body & structure (22), and airbags (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

193

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Soul years?

Soul NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted1,215 complaints2010: 193 complaints2011: 270 complaints2012: 670 complaints2013: 862 complaints2014: 1,215 complaints2015: 1,215 complaints2016: 1,135 complaints2017: 351 complaints2018: 284 complaints2019: 189 complaints2020: 480 complaints2021: 297 complaints2022: 132 complaints2023: 86 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 18 complaints
Soul NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Soul years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Kia Soul problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3016%
Body & Structure2211%
Airbags2010%
Brakes168%
Visibility & Wipers147%
Engine147%
Other126%
Steering126%
Transmission116%
Tires & Wheels116%
Speed Control95%
Lighting74%
Fuel System53%
Suspension42%
Seat Belts32%
Latches & Locks21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2010 Kia Soul have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V822000Body & StructureDecember 29, 2014 · 95,314 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

13V114000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 980,377 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

10V388000Electrical SystemAugust 31, 2010 · 35,185 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AT A LOW SPEED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 12, 2011 · fire

“THE 2010 SOUL HAD A MAJOR FAILURE WHEN IT IMPACTED A TREE AT 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO LEAKING FLUIDS, SIGNS OF SMOKE OR FIRE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES LATER AND BURNED TOTALLY UP BEFORE FIRE CREWS COULD GET THERE TO PUT IT OUT. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 15, 2010 · crash · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 26, 2017 · crash

“DEALERSHIP CHANGED MY BRAKES ON SEPT 18. ON SEPT 19, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ALL FOUR BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT BRAKES BEING PRESSED. VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 65MPH TO 30 MPH AND DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BRAKE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 18, 2012 · fire

“THE 2010 SOUL HAD A MAJOR FAILURE WHEN IT IMPACTED A TREE AT 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO LEAKING FLUIDS, SIGNS OF SMOKE OR FIRE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES LATER AND BURNED TOTALLY UP BEFORE FIRE CREWS COULD GET THERE TO PUT IT OUT. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2010 · crash · fire

2010 Kia Soul — common questions

Is the 2010 Kia Soul reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 193 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Soul year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2010 Soul problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (30 complaints), body & structure (22 complaints), airbags (20 complaints).

Does the 2010 Kia Soul have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Kia Soul under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Soul years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Soul years to avoid are 2015, 2014, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2020, 2011. The cleanest record among Soul years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.