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SteeringPart report

2013 Kia Soul Steering Problems

Complaints
154about this part
Share
23%of 668 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 154 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Kia Soul, 23% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“When turning my wheel at low speeds my steering clunks in the column and feels like it is going to come apart. I am scared I am going to loose stearing control. This happens all the time at low speeds or while in a parking lot. It started a month ago and is getting worse. I saw a recall on this but my car is not affe ted and should be.”

NHTSA complaint #11382821, filed 2020-12, 101,000 miles

“A flexible coupling in the steering system was broken and had to be replaced. I was told that the Kia optimas were having the same problem my daugthers Kia has the same problem, she owns a 2013 Kia as well the charge is $366.00 for a rubber coupling. Had a very bad noise when turning and were concern as far as loosing the steering system while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11176634, filed 2019-02, 18,211 miles

“Started with a clunk sound, then all of a sudden the vehicle would not steer. I was in a mass of traffic so my speed at the time was slow and I was able to drift onto the side of the road luckily. Dealership tells me the VIN is not in the recall, but I see this same problem recalled half a million times. They will not fix the issue, which comes at a tune of $1600.”

NHTSA complaint #11270256, filed 2019-10, 102,000 miles

“Takata recall, my Kia SOUL 2013 make a clunk noise when wheel is turn right and left and also steering wheel is unstable when driving at 30mph, I've seen a lot of complaints about the same issue but only models 2014 - 2016 where recall by Kia motors, can you please look into this so they can add more years from this Kia SOUL vehicle, thanks”

NHTSA complaint #11144187, filed 2018-10, 30,700 miles

“In the last couple of days, while making turns either left or right or while parked if you move the steering wheel left or right you feel a definite clunking in the steering. Prior to this new development the steering has always been smooth. My vehicle has only approximately 40,000 mile on it. I see there are many others with this same problem. I see a recall for the 2014-16, why not the 13?”

NHTSA complaint #11152095, filed 2018-11, 40,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202426%
2023815%
202222%
202194%
2020164%
201954%
201852%
2017104%
2016304%
2015445%
2014556%
201315423%
201216732%
201142%
2010129%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Soul

Engine
286 complaintsBrakes
99 complaintsElectrical system
71 complaintsOther or unknown
63 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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