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SteeringPart report

2021 Kia Soul Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
4%of 239 total for the year
Median mileage
4,815miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Kia Soul, 4% of the 239 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,815 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“Had car 1 week - 204 miles. Power steering warning light came on while I was driving 55. Then the tire pressure light. Then all warning lights. Headlights and interior lighting off and on then finally just off. Pulled into parking lot where all systems stopped working. Was not enough power to close sun roof. No power door locks - had to operate manually. Car towed to dealer. Thankfully I am a strong person and was able to get off the highway and into a parking lot without incident. I am not sure how that happened since I did not even have working hazard lights.”

NHTSA complaint #11406532, filed 2021-04, 204 miles

“Vehicle keeps pulling. Vehicle pulled to the right. Performed a steering angle relearned, and wheel alignment. Cross rotated tires and now the vehicle pulls to the left. Told nothing else can be done at this time. Car is constantly. Fighting itself with steering assist.”

NHTSA complaint #11366841, filed 2020-10, 631 miles

“First off I do not use my lane keep assist. When traveling at any speed on a long curves of 100 to 150 ft or longer or sitting in a parking lot with the steering wheel angled between 15 to 30 degrees either left or right of center for 15 to 30 seconds the system will (in a sense) fall asleep. On the long corners this causes a dangerous situation for the driver and others because with the system falls asleep it will continue tracking the same course without recentering unless forced to re-engage. In other words it will not come out of the curve without forceful input from the driver. …”

NHTSA complaint #11552757, filed 2023-10

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while turning the ignition on and off, there was a knocking sound coming from the dashboard. After pulling into a parking lot, a red exclamation point illuminated the instrument panel, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to coast out of the way by driving forward. The vehicle was turned off and towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11644815, filed 2025-02, 53,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a transmission failure, and the transmission was replaced by the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer also replaced the rack and pinion due to an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed. The contact returned to the dealer after driving for 1,000 miles on three occasions. …”

NHTSA complaint #11680163, filed 2025-08, 4,815 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202413%
2023815%
202222%
202194%
2020164%
201954%
201852%
2017104%
2016304%
2015445%
2014556%
201315323%
201216632%
201142%
2010129%

Other parts of the 2021 Kia Soul

Engine
139 complaints
Engine cooling
47 complaints
Other or unknown
27 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
26 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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