2013 KIA Soul steering problems

STEERING

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, there was a popping and knocking sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11751189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering wheel column coupler clicking and wore out

NHTSA complaint #11733855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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There is a distinct click when the steering wheel is center (car going straight). there is a click and a notch feeling when you turn the wheel back and forth from center. Appears to be a common problem with the Kia Souls from 2010 - 2015. (Flexible rubber steering coupler) Dealer is charging $688 to change this $12 part. Dealer also mentioned it is important to fix because as it gets worse you can potentially lose steering control of the car. This type of safety concern I think should be a recall and fixed by Kia.

NHTSA complaint #11714326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I have noticed an audible “clunk” in the steering mechanism for a few weeks. I had the rack-and-pinion inspected by a local alignment shop to avoid a catastrophic failure. On 12/29/2025 while rapidly decelerating from highway speed on a downhill exit ramp, the steering wheel began to shake violently. My personal research has indicated that the steering coupler disk has failed/disintegrated causing unnecessary looseness between the electrical assist steering motor and steering shaft which has been identified by Kia in a Tecnical Safety Bulletin (TSB) as it's a known safety issue despite being a service campaign rather than a massive single recall for all vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11708455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering wheel vibration violently . Is on Kia safety recall. Has 15 year warranty Started slowly about two months ago Contact dealer on safety recall repairs and refused to honor safety recall. Steering gear assembly flexible coupling Very dangerous at high speed . Safety recall for that particular year. Thank you

NHTSA complaint #11701903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

There is a loud clicking in the steering wheel and the car is all over the place while driving. I was told by three mechanics that it is the steering coupler gear. I could lose control which would be putting others life at risk as well as myself. I was told this my be a recall. I need help. This is a SAFETY RISK AND NEEDS ATTENTION.

NHTSA complaint #11695629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The steering wheel has a knocking in it. KIA has issued TSB CHA074 for the problem, the deterioration of the MDPS Flexible Steering Coupler. The bulletin covers my 2013 KIA Soul. It's annoying and sounds dangerous.

NHTSA complaint #11688247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering coupler. Recalled for 2014 up but not covered for 2013

NHTSA complaint #11674834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The steering wheel makes a loud clocking sound. It’s sounds like the pinion plug is broken or loose

NHTSA complaint #11671102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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It is making a noise when turning steering wheel to one side and it has play and clinking noise in steering wheel. Is this included in SC155 recall?

NHTSA complaint #11662954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was making an abnormal clicking sound. Additionally, while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel tuned left and right with a loud clicking sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the flex coupling was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11660956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering wheel making a loud CLUNK sound. Possibly the steering wheel coupler. Concerned that steering wheel might malfunction while driving. Checking for any recalls prior to making an appointment with dealer. Vehicle has not been inspected. Noise started about a month ago and progressively has gotten worse.

NHTSA complaint #11660244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering wheel is making a knocking sound when I turn left or right.

NHTSA complaint #11659749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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steering not tight, car shakes around 70 mph

NHTSA complaint #11649364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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On [XXX], we were driving on [XXX] from Wisconsin into Minnesota to park at MSP airport. Near the state border, we began to hear a clunk sound in the steering column. We chose to park the car at a friend's home near the airport in her garage in case we needed service upon our return from Texas where we travelling to. Prior to driving back to our home from Minneapolis on [XXX] (1.5 hours), we checked with our local mechanic to see if it were safe to drive. He could not diagnose over phone, but suggested coupling issue and that we drive carefully. We made it back home, took car to our local mechanic on 7 October, and thought it would be better to check dealership in Eau Claire, WI (another 30 minute drive). We drove there, slowly, on 18 October, and were told that it was probably the MDPS/Flexible Coupling, but that it would cost us 175 to check, and another 250-300 to replace the 15.00 part. We drove home and had a family emergency out of state and will return now to Wisconsin soon and want to get this fixed as soon as possible. We understand NOW that this is a persistent problem for MANY KIA 2013 Soul and other KIAs and that NHTSA has been supportive to some owners over this matter. We do not object to paying for the repair, but not at price-gouging levels. From what we understand, the inspection needed to check for the flex coupling is not difficult nor time consuming. We are afraid to drive the car for safety sake, but we need the car to drive! Do we have any rights to a free inspection if this is a problem with many KIAs? There were no warning lights and no symptoms prior to the sudden noise and now there is a persistent and regular clunk when the steering wheel is moved. Thank you for any information regarding this issue. Again, no accident and no injuries or results from clunk, but KIA history seems to suggest a potential recall need. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11641385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently while driving above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11639059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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My steering column will make a clicking sound, and the steering wheel and column will vibrate excessively.

NHTSA complaint #11635125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Feel no control of steering Clicking sound when turning steering wheel Tight/ hard to steer wheel…doesn’t want to turn

NHTSA complaint #11630656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Broken coupler. They want 2800 dollars to fix.

NHTSA complaint #11626617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MDPS coupler worn and causing steering wheel instability and noise when driving over 60 mph. There was a recall previously that I wasn't aware of but my car had not yet experienced the problem. I am experiencing it now, but Kia says I must fix at my own cost since the recall period is passes, though I didn't have the issue then or recieve the notice.

NHTSA complaint #11626110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The steering wheel is making a noise and is having a caution sign with the steering wheel on it

NHTSA complaint #11605904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for the recall repair however, the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the unknown recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,234.

NHTSA complaint #11602361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering wheel shakes violently when going over 75MPH and is extremely shaky on side streets as well. The steering wheel feels like it’s going to fall off! Got it checked out by Kia and they said the Flexible steering coupling needs repairing and it would be over $900 to do so for a part that costs less than $10! I have an extended warranty and I was told the warranty doesn’t cover this issue, but at the bare minimum it seems like it should as it feels dangerous at times to drive the car. Also, this issue should be a recall for Kia as I have seen a ton of other people with this issue! It’s a defect in the car and should be a free recall to be fixed .

NHTSA complaint #11595334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Flexible Coupling part failed. Steering is difficult and causes pull to the left/right. Appears the issue has occurred across various Kia and Hyundai models.

NHTSA complaint #11590242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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No warning indicators but my steering couple has worn and my steering now has play. Many forums says this is a know problem for KIA and they should cover but I do not see a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11579838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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There is a known issue with the MDPS Flexible coupling effecting a large number of KIAs but Kia apparently hasn't included all cars manufactured during this period of time

NHTSA complaint #11572777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I'm already aware of the recalls on alot of vehicles including my 2013 KIA SOUL and am aware of a judges ruling on this. How can KIA SOUL play God with peoples lives? I already filed a claim but still not not getting any help until the end of April. I'm a [XXX] woman who is at risk of getting hurt not to mention other people/and or other people close to my vehicle. This is just beyond wrong. I saved for 2 years to get a more dependable vehicles and now have to worry about an explosion. I already filed a claim but I'm scared. The radio has been funky since I got it last year. It's a used vehicle buy to me it looked new to me. I love it bur now afraid to even get in it but really don't have a choice since I'm [XXX] and don't have anyone else to get help or have another vehicle to use. I depend solely on myself. I need help with getting another vehicle until all of this mess is taken care of. I have gas gauge issues, revving up randomly, caution light staying on now and yesterday I had smoke coming out under the dash and then it just stopped while I was trying to pull off and call for help but it stopped so I came back home. The oil was changed right after I got it last year and I put new tires on it with the money I got from a junk yard in Johnson City that came to get my 98 Ford Escort that my church family helped for me after a very traumatic accident that killed my little senior rescue pommy, totaled my vehicle and I spent several days in ICU. I live on a very strict monthly income and this has caused more anxiety and panic issues that I can't even get under control with breathing exercises, journaling and taking my fur baby for walks and am back on my regular meds. Please someone needs to help me or I'm just going to give up. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11572274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering coupler failure causes excessive vibration and notchiness in the steering. KIA informs me that this was covered by an extended warranty which expired in January 2023. I believe this to be a serious safety risk and this vehicle should be recalled by KIA to replace this part at no cost to the consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11566946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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My steering coupler is bad

NHTSA complaint #11563489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I looked it up. It's called the STEERING COUPLER. The manufacturer is aware of the problem but I was never notified about it before the warranty ran out August 2023. Now it affects the steering. Here is a service notice that I found online if that helps: TSB ID: 10159268. Thank you

NHTSA complaint #11563153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.