FaultScore

KIA Soul window and wiper problems

95 of the 7,523 complaints filed about the KIA Soul are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2011.

95

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

2010 Soul 14 14.7%

Median failure at 3,500 miles

2011 Soul 17 17.9%

Median failure at 14,000 miles

2012 Soul 6 6.3%

Median failure at 23,000 miles

2013 Soul 15 15.8%

Median failure at 22,900 miles

2014 Soul 7 7.4%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

2015 Soul 7 7.4%

Median failure at 3,100 miles

2016 Soul 8 8.4%

Median failure at 55,300 miles

2017 Soul 1 1.1%
2018 Soul 4 4.2%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2019 Soul 4 4.2%

Median failure at 3,250 miles

2020 Soul 3 3.2%

Median failure at 5,350 miles

2021 Soul 7 7.4%

Median failure at 814 miles

2023 Soul 1 1.1%
2025 Soul 1 1.1%

What owners said

2016 KIA Soul at 80,000 miles Port Charlotte, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine; however, the vehicle previously had an oil change. The contact added oil to the engine. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle made rattling sounds and emitted a burning oil odor. The brake pedal had to be firmly depressed to stop the vehicle, the windows inadvertently rolled down, and the interior lights intermittently failed due to an electrical system failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the timing cover needed to be resealed and the brake master cylinder, oil pan gasket, brake fluid, spark plugs, ABS, and window master switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11738741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Guthrie, OK

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Manufacturer defect: Massive paint delamination/adhesion failure on the roof. Large sheets of paint are flaking off while the vehicle is in motion, creating a debris hazard for following drivers and distracting the operator. The failure has exposed the bare metal structure, which may lead to premature rusting.

NHTSA complaint #11730709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Soul Bayville, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Headlight housing kept falling out of the bracket Driving at night impossable. Fixed one light still dim lights maKES DRIVING AT night dangerous. Second dealer instructed me to not sue the suto light setting because it dims the headlights. It appears that the front bumper design blocks the light to the roadway. In my view the 4 seperte visits to the Family dealership in Saint Augestein Fl suggest ther is nothing more he can do to improve the light problem. What am I supposd to do to have this 2025 new KIA soul problem corrected that I so I can drive at night

NHTSA complaint #11715290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul New Orleans, LA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Sunroof failure, spontaneously exploded. Fortunately I was not driving the car when it happened or could have caused an accident. Went to my car one morning and the sunroof looked like an earthquake for no reason. No damage, car was parked my driveway and was definitely not vandalism. Dealer said to contact Kia directly and report the incident to them because they would get nowhere with the factory and I should contact them. I also had a left front drivers door glass break that I originally thought was vandalism but nothing penetrated the glass, no rock or anything found and 2-3 video cameras I reviewed many time and not see anyone breaking the window. Makes me think it is the same problem with some kind of defective glass.

NHTSA complaint #11685031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 KIA Soul Newport, WA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Backup camera no longer works; when in reverse, the screen is totally blank, no image and no guide lines.

NHTSA complaint #11678407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 KIA Soul Keene, NH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Purchased 2018 KIA Soul from KIA dealer [XXX] in New Hampshire. There was 57,100 miles on the car at time of purchase. The vehicle was manufactured in South Korea in May 1, 2017. There is a potential safety issue concerning the absence of the rear view camera. The U.S. Government provided automobile manufacturer's beginning in 2014 a time limit for the installation of these safety devices to be completed by May 2018. Having owned vehicles with the rear view camera installed the last ten years, I would like the NHTSA to investigate this issue which poses a serious hazard in so far as reverse driving and pedestrians are concerned. I believe that is why the rear view camera was ordered by the U.S. Government in the first place. I would like the camera installed or a refund equal to the cost of the installation, labor and price of the instrument. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11669624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Riverview, FL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Engine does not work properly. It is loud and car shakes. Dealership had me do maintenance and did not fix the problem. Rear windshield wiper pours out fluid and turns on with no reason. They say there is a short however it turns on and blocks my rear window view every while just driving, or using my turn signal, I have to mess with the switch while driving to finally get it to stop.

NHTSA complaint #11644403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Less than 24 hours after being purchased as a Kia factory certified pre-owned vehicle my daughter was driving. While driving headlights, wipers, and dash lights went out including infotainment/CarPlay map display on a rainy day. California requires headlights be on when wipers are used. Occurred while doing approximately 25 mph after going over a speed bump. When stopped and key was turned to ACC, they came back on. Issue did not return when vehicle was started again. Dealer has said they can find not fault. We have located threads for this issue with other Kia models on [XXX] . One common factor is they are key start, not push start models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11641511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA Soul Catasauqua, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The rear windshield spontaneously shattered while parked in the driveway and was not running. I was standing beside it when it happened. There was no glass inside vehicle all the glass was outside vehicle indicating that nothing hit the windshield, and nothing was around vehicle that could have hit the vehicle. The vehicle will be repaired tomorrow by Safelite as it is a commuting vehicle, and I have no other vehicle to drive to and from work. My insurance is not covering the damage as it is less than the deductible to just fix it.

NHTSA complaint #11624595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA Soul Los Angeles, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I was driving my 2016 Kia Soul down the road at about 20 mph when I heard a very loud bang that startled me. I looked behind and to the sides and nothing but when I looked up, the fixed panel in the sunroof had shattered but not yet fallen in.There are several lawsuits against Kia for the sunroofs, including through Gibbs Law Group and a case in Canada.They continue deny responsibility for all their defects despite their cars catching on fire, getting stolen, stalling out, rolling away and having exploding sunroofs. NHTSA has to do something to stop Kia and Hyundai from continuing to sell cars in the US or hold them responsible for the numerous defects.

NHTSA complaint #11593169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 KIA Soul Little Elm, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Safety at risk:yes Lack of visibility Problem has not been reproduced by dealer. Smells are only warning signs: Smell is like rubber but not very strong. WARNING SIGNS OF the PROBLEM: Turned on heat and EXTREMELY HOT HEAT CAME OUT OF VENTS; turned A/c and EXTREMELY HOT HEAT CAME OUT OF VENTS in both cases turned the vehicle off. After 5 minutes, i started to drive with A/c later there was still HOT heat coming out vent since i had URGENT appointment. After the appointment, over an hour, drove car and A/C worked fine. : April 16th, Turned on defrost for front windows. Instead of defrost, windows fogged up completely and i was unable to see and pulled over to side of road. As i pulled over, BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF A/c vents and began to fill up the car with black smoke. There is a smell that happns right before the smoke comes out. April 17 took to Classic Kia. Unable to find the problem. Vehicle returned to me. :April 18 drove 4 miles. No problem. Drove 12 miles. The smells started and black smoke started coming through A/c vent and i drove home and parked. Called dealership told problem.

NHTSA complaint #11584607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Crest Hill, IL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Just driving to the Mall, when at a Red light the engine service started flashing...Next day took it to Jiffy Lube to have them check, and they said it's the Engine...

NHTSA complaint #11565758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 KIA Soul Salem, MO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

When you press the break the car stalls, when you fuel up the car it will not start. Autos unlimited in Rolla, Mo sold it as inspected with "" nothing "" on the inspection sheet. This dealer is claiming they will "fix: this issue. It cost me 480.00 to fix it. --- evap canister purge vent- evap leak- fuel malfunction- canister solenoid.

NHTSA complaint #11558072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA Soul Newark, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Unknown, I was just sitting at a red light and my back glass just shattered out of nowhere, I got out and looked to see if anything hit but there wasn’t a sign, I feel very unsafe in this vehicle between the recall and now my back window just shattering

NHTSA complaint #11556337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 KIA Soul Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I bought car being financed in sac,ca. August 8, 2023. Took back referred to mechanic round corner. Brake rotor issues fixed front this was August 14 noise still exist took back turned back rotors scraping noise pulling to left took to other automotive repairs ,inspections shocks original 2010 208,000 miles , brakes rotors scratches need replacing , pads, sway bar crack or been welded, sway bar link needs replacing crack control arms bushings cracked,windshield wipers needed replacing, check engine light I replaced coils and spark plugs, valve cover gasket leak ,front tires worn . Brakes sway bar axle issues could have have tragic accidents rollover cause injury to self passengers pedestrians and other vehicles. Even though car sold as is there's safety issues that should had been addressed before sold to anyone . I been to midas, Les Schwab, AAA inspection jiffy lube, orange Grove automotive, sales person said I need to take to another mechanic they use in elk Grove sine the mechanic they been using not fixing properly or in denial what's wrong, he said they aren't mechanics it's illegal that I brought car back to lot . I left it there feel unsafe after finding out what all wrong when mechanic said stop noise and salesmen said help me if I take to their people .I don't want car cause what else been overlooked it's about moneys I've spent rentals wage losses Safety first neglected . I feel they need to make deal right another car comparable in performance safety what this car suppose to be or give me $1500 back quash deal cause I don't like disrespect they have given me to be professional defrauding me not concerned my safety just$$$. Then say I illegally left car in lot but not that they illegally sold me an unsafe vehicle. I got full coverage insurance before taking car.

NHTSA complaint #11555882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA Soul at 214,000 miles Geneva, FL

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the sunroof shattered without impact. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

NHTSA complaint #11527335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA Soul Chicago, IL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The car was recalled in 4/2019 for a repair. I purchased the car 8/2020. The repair indicated catalytic converter assessment to ensure that the engine did not need to be replaced. It was not checked or verified. The recall was insufficient done and the car should had never been sold. And the recall was not completed prior. I took the vehicle in to complete a recall on a hazardous vehicle. Kia had my car for a month and half replacing the engine and within hours of picking up my car the engine light came back on. The car is still doing the exact same thing it was doing leading up to original repair. That Kia was suppose to had fixed. The car is also a theft safety issue as targeted I already paid 2700 for theft vandalism. The car is targeted and unsafe.

NHTSA complaint #11523138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA Soul Chicago, IL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

CARMAX sold a recalled vehicle in 2019 in 2020. KIA has still improperly repaired the vehicle the car is still doing the exactly same thing it was doing. That lead to the repair. After picking within the hour the engine light came back on and had been on ever since. I now have electrical issues with the window since KIA Napelton of Elmhurst repaired the vandalism the wiper is malfunctioned at pick up. I want a refund the vehicle is a safety issue mechanical and for theft.

NHTSA complaint #11523358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Merced, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Heading to work on hwy 140, there is no trees nothing that could fall on my car the nearest car was at least half a mile away, it's 30something degrees outside and as my driving I heard a loud boom I opened up the cover to my sunroof and it was shattered, there's nothing that could have landed on it the glass was pointing upwards like it exploded out. That stretch of road I was on has nothing around that could cause that and if it had been a rock it would have hit either the front of my car or my windshield and neither were hit or anything of that nature. The only conclusion I have is that it was the temperature difference.

NHTSA complaint #11504887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA Soul Orrville, OH

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Rear hatch glass shattered randomly out of no where. No impact to the glass or others around to cause it. Others safety was at risk due to glass falling off the car as I was driving. My safety was jeopardized due to when it happened as I was driving, I jumped and drove left of center.

NHTSA complaint #11503866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA Soul problems