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Body and structurePart report

2010 Kia Soul Body and structure Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
16%of 135 total for the year
Median mileage
3,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the body and structure of the 2010 Kia Soul, 16% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Our new SOUL+ was purchased in august 2009 new. It was almost immediate that scratches and scuffs were coming out on the interior panels. The slightest scuff or even just scrating with a fingernail was enough to make a permanent scratch. Very poor quality panels and after speaking with other owners on a SOUL forum...I am not alone.”

NHTSA complaint #10291320, filed 2009-11, 1 miles

“Factory installed windshield chips and cracks from the edge easily and often. I had the first window replaced at about 5,000 miles and that window was a genuine Kia window installed and now it has two small chips and a crack from the edge of the glass and one big chip at 8,000 miles. I have not changed my driving and have never occurred this many window defects. I believe the window to be not properly annealed or treated in the furnace or it is just too thin.”

NHTSA complaint #10291310, filed 2009-11, 5,000 miles

“I have had my Kia SOUL since may 2009. I have experienced chips in the glass and paint as well as scratches to the glass from a plastic ice scraper ai have used on 3 other vehicles without issue. I do not use ice scrapers often here in texas, but this is the first time I have had windows scratched by a plastic utensil designed for the task I was performing. I think the windows are made of a hybrid compound that is not fully glass to be so easily chipped and scratched. It reminds me of the polycarbonate used in the glasses I wear. …”

NHTSA complaint #10296478, filed 2009-12, 4,800 miles

“My 2010 Kia SOUL has such severe interior damage from the sub-standard material they used that the market value has depreciated far beyond the norm. Any metal, even plastic that touches the doors (seat belt buckle) pillars, center console, glove box, etc....becomes damaged. The material has no padding under it so there is no absorption and it is honey comb design which when scratched breaks the honey comb which has a light grey under it. My father bought the same car at the same time and he too has this problem. The cars showing this damage immediately. …”

NHTSA complaint #10347573, filed 2010-08, 3,000 miles

“I just purchased a new 2010 Kia SOUL. I am very careful and take excellent care of my cars, but I have to say the door panels on this vehicle tend to scratch up with the slightest touch of even a finger nail. It is unbelievable how horrible it gets with normal wear, and I consider myself obsessively careful with my cars and its almost impossible to not scratch these panels. Horrible workmanship to the point that it must be some sort of defect. Has anyone else complained about this ? My purchase date was 9/18/09 and my interior door panels look 5 years old and abused. …”

NHTSA complaint #10285894, filed 2009-10, 275 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202211%
202131%
2020103%
201943%
201852%
201741%
2016182%
2015162%
2014111%
2013152%
2012184%
2011126%
20102116%

Other parts of the 2010 Kia Soul

Electrical system
24 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology