What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2010–2013) Soul?

Soul owners have made 122 complaints about the 2010–2013 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 39th out of 42 Kia generations in overall reliability, with real steering and engine concerns.

Compare With Other Soul Generations

Common 2010-2013 Kia Soul Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Soul owners have to deal with.

  2. Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in Kia vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs. However, this isn't a Kia-only problem.

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2010–2013) Soul Key Numbers

  1. 4 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 122 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 39th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 42 eligible generations.

Recent 1st Generation (2010–2013) Soul News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. More than 1,800 Kia vehicles have burst into flames, now the government wants to know why.

    It’s about time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was petitioned to look into these non-collision fires last June. They are responsible for 77 injuries and 1 death. The investigation will focus on the Theta II engine, but the NHTSA plans on looking into tail lights and other potential combustion sources as well .…

    keep reading article "NHTSA Opens Investigation into Non-Collision Kia Fires"

  2. Over 379,000 Souls are at risk of burning in eternal damnation … due to damaged catalytic converters and connecting rod failures.

    Wait, you knew I was talking about the Kia Soul, right? The automaker has admitted that hot exhaust gas is overheating the catalytic converters. Additionally, piston damage and busted connecting rods can puncture the engine block and let oil leak onto the hot exhaust. In other words, these things are a tinder box and the recall can’t come fast enough.

    keep reading article "379,000 Souls At Risk of a Fiery Damnation. Kia Souls, That is."

  3. What are the odds that your car will set itself on fire without ever being involved in a collision?

    Much higher than you’d think, especially if you’re one of these 3 million Hyundai and Kia owners. The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has put together a list of vehicles that they say should be taken off the road until a pending government investigation ends with a comprehensive recall.…

    keep reading article "Are 3 Million Hyundai and Kia Cars Too Dangerous to Drive?"

  5. One Kia owner has had enough of gnawed wires leading to dashboard warning lights and multiple calls to the insurance company.

    Tsvetelin Tsonev filed a class-action lawsuit because his 2015 Soul is being used like a chew toy. The plaintiff says he leased a 2015 Kia Soul in April 2015 that has allegedly been damaged three times because the automaker keeps replacing soy-based wiring with more soy wiring, inviting more critters to snacktime.

    OK, so it turns out rodents don’t really snack on the coating, but they do love chewing on it and making nests out of it.

    And if you’re wondering just how much damage a rodent could do, brace yourself.…

    keep reading article "Soy Wires are Still Being Chewed Up. Maybe Kia Should Stop Advertising with Rodents."