FaultScore

KIA Soul wheel problems

50 of the 7,523 complaints filed about the KIA Soul are about the wheels — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.

50

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

10

Crashes

2

Fires

Wheels complaints by model year

2010 Soul 5 10.0%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

2011 Soul 6 12.0%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

2012 Soul 6 12.0%

Median failure at 27,250 miles

2013 Soul 6 12.0%

Median failure at 26,616 miles

2014 Soul 9 18.0%

Median failure at 34,272 miles

2015 Soul 6 12.0%

Median failure at 11,110 miles

2017 Soul 2 4.0%

Median failure at 3,450 miles

2018 Soul 3 6.0%

Median failure at 12,450 miles

2019 Soul 3 6.0%

Median failure at 4,500 miles

2020 Soul 1 2.0%

Median failure at 200 miles

2021 Soul 2 4.0%

Median failure at 631 miles

2025 Soul 1 2.0%

What owners said

2021 KIA Soul Toledo, OH

WHEELS

Noise while driving and over bumps and steering

NHTSA complaint #11750863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Soul Stockbridge, GA

WHEELS

I am submitting this complaint to report serious concerns regarding the quality, safety, and reliability of my new Kia Soul, as well as the financial burden caused by defects that should not occur on a vehicle with such low mileage. At approximately **8,500 miles**, one of the original tires failed prematurely. I was forced to purchase a used tire to keep the vehicle safely drivable. I had the front alignment inspected, and I was informed that it was within normal specifications, yet the tire issue persisted. Now at **10,000 miles**, I am still experiencing abnormal tire wear. Additionally, at **10,000 miles**, the vehicle began making **grinding noises when applying the brakes**, which is extremely concerning for a car that is still essentially new. These issues raise questions about the vehicle’s manufacturing quality and whether it meets reasonable consumer expectations for safety and durability. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation that it would be reliable and free from major defects. Instead, I am facing unexpected expenses, safety concerns, and ongoing problems that should be covered under warranty. I am now questioning whether I should continue making payments on a vehicle that is already showing signs of significant defects. I am requesting that the FTC review this matter as a potential issue involving product quality, warranty compliance, and consumer protection. I am seeking assistance in ensuring that Kia addresses these defects appropriately and that my rights as a consumer are upheld. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA complaint #11714991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 KIA Soul Paradise, CA

WHEELS

Steering makes a clicking noise and will pull either direction while driving straight. I took it to the dealership and they want me to pay for the repair. They state that the problem is the steering coupler. To me this is a safety issue, they said my warranty is expired so they wont cover the cost. I am afraid to drive it. It is also making my tires wear to fast and they are new.

NHTSA complaint #11697452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA Soul Washington, PA

WHEELS

The rims and the rotor have rusted together causing you to use excessive force to remove the lug nut holding on the tire and the nut snaps off.

NHTSA complaint #11688787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 KIA Soul Dundalk, MD

WHEELS

Engine died on the highway. All of the warning light lit up before the car stalled and eventually died.

NHTSA complaint #11646144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 KIA Soul San Jose, CA

WHEELS

While driving on the freeway, last month mid to late Feb, My steering wheel started spinning in one direction,. The control arm on the right side of the vehicle came off of the car's right front wheel and I skidded to the side of the road at approximately 65 to 70 miles per hour. Fortunately, there was not an accident. The control arms were replaced and there were no further incidents. Regardless, given the multiple engine recalls and problems with the Kia Soul 2019 2.0 plus, I have no confidence in it's integrity to the safety standards set. This is not only related to the car, but mostly due to the behavior of the company in its continued efforts to otherwise resist compliance with engine replacement after my mechanic both viewed rod bearings seeing they may impose some risk. (see previous complaint)

NHTSA complaint #11575206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul Jacksonville, FL Crash

WHEELS

Car has an heavy gas smell like when the car is started ,has to crank up and car shakes when it’s started steering is off and etc.

NHTSA complaint #11555795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA Soul Houston, TX

WHEELS

Check engine light continually emits., code states there is a catalytic converter issue., tire sensor light continues to emit., car idles high and shakes continually. Oil disappears and low oil indicator does not work.

NHTSA complaint #11460923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 KIA Soul at 89,000 miles Wilkes Barre, PA

WHEELS

1. STATIONARY - A PIECE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE OFF. MY HUSBAND WENT TO CHECK WHAT WEIRD NOISE THE CAR WAS MAKING WHEN HE TURNED THE WHEEL FULLY AS WE WERE TRYING TO EXIT OUR PARALLELED PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE LOOKED AROUND AND ASKED ME TO TURN THE WHEEL FROM SO HE COULD HEAR EXACTLY WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. WHEN HE HEARD IT WAS ABOVE THE RIGHT WHEEL AREA, HE LOOKED DEEP, REACHED IN AND ENDED UP FINDING A PORTION OF THE SPRING. A DAY OR TWO LATER, BOTH SIDES ARE MAKING THAT NOISE, THOUGH NO DISLODGED PORTION FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN FOUND YET. 2. STATIONARY WHEN DISCOVERED - TIRE BEGAN LOSING AIR AT A RATE WHICH TOOK 1 FULL DAY. HAD THE TIRE CHECKED FOR HOLES, FOUND 1 AND REPAIRED IT. NEXT-DAY HOWEVER, SAME PROBLEM. CHECKED AGAIN, NO HOLES. NEXT DAY THE SAME. FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO TIRE SALES SHOP WE ALWAYS USE. IT WAS THOROUGHLY EXAMINED AND A CRACK WAS FOUND ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE WHEEL, WHICH MEANS IT WAS NOT FROM BRUSHING AGAINST THE CURB ONE TOO MANY TIMES. 3. HORN HAS ONLY EVER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #11407751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA Soul at 24,000 miles Warner Robins, GA

WHEELS

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR OUT OF TOWN, WHEN THEY WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND AND DIED. I HAD TO WALK TO A CAR RENTAL PLACE TO RENT. CAR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. I GOT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY THE MECHANIC CALLED AND SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE THAT IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET VALVE. HE RECOMMENDED CONTACTING KIA AS THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED KIA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND THEY WOULD PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. IT IS STILL A GOOD TWO HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE. BUT THEY ASSURED ME IF WOULD BE COVERED AS THE ISSUE IT WITH HEAD GASKETS. IT IS RECAL NUMBER 2002B. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AND SAID IT ISN'T COVERED. I ASKED WHY AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR, JUSTIN STATED THE RECALL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. NO TOLD HIM WHAT KIA HEADQUARTERS TOLD ME. HE STATED HE WOULD PRINT OFF THE RECALL AND SPEAK WITH HIS MANAGER AND GET BACK WITH ME. THE CAR HAS 124,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DONE STRICK MAINTENANCE. AS A MATTER OF FACT I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. HAD I NEED ON THE INTERSTATE I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WOULD HAVE AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY I HAD TAKEN BACK ROADS HOME AND WAS ENTERING A SMALL TOWN OF WINDER AND WAS ONLY DOING 25 MILES AN HOUR AT THE TIME. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON AT ALL. AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED THE OIL PAN LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11387486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA Soul at 80,000 miles Fayetteville, NC

WHEELS

AFTER REACHING THE 80000 MILE MARK I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE CAR THAT VARIED WITH THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE TIRES REPLACED AND BALANCED BUT THE VIBRATION DIDN'T GO AWAY. AFTER ELEVATING THE CAR ON IT'S JACK STAND I HAND TURNED THE REAR WHEELS AND LOOKED CAREFULLY. I NOTICED THERE WAS A SLIGHT WOBBLE. I REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL HUBS AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE FACT THE HUBS DIDN'T EVEN LAST UNTIL 100K MILES WAS BOTHERSOME THOUGH. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERED ALMOST ALL THE MILEAGE WAS FROM HIGHWAY TRAVEL.

NHTSA complaint #11376032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul at 70,000 miles Saint ANN, MO

WHEELS

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 70 AND NOTICED THAT MY TIRE WAS GETTING LOW. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY JUST IN TIME. THE TIRE SHOP. AT 9550 ST CHARLES ROCK RD, BRECKENRIDGE HILLS, MO 63114 AT 5PM. THE TWO YOUNG MEN CAME OUT LAUGHING AND ONE CHANGED MY TIRE. LEFT THE SHOP AND 30 MINS LATER MY TIRE WAS ON FLAT. CAME BACK THE NEXT MORNING. YOUNG MAN SAID HE'LL FIX IT. HE DIDN'T GIVE ME ANOTHER BUT STATED A NAIL WAS IN IT. HE THINK I'M STUPID. HE KNOW HE SOLD ME A BAD TIRE WITH THE NAIL IN IT ALREADY. HE PAINTED THE TIRE THEN PUT IT BACK ON MY CAR. I WAS SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THE PAINT AND PAINT BRUSH. LEFT THE SHOP AND WENT HOME. ON MY WAY TO WORK THE SAME DAY ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS. TIRE WAS HARD TO STEER AND THE WHEEL DIDN'T TURN. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. I COULD OF LOST MY LIFE 😔. . PEOPLE NEED GOOD USED TIRES. FINALLY I WENT TO CAR X AND THEY TOOK CARE OF MY PROBLEM AND I FELT SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11366818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul at 631 miles Hickory, NC

WHEELS

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 KIA Soul at 200 miles Hesperia, CA

WHEELS

PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED - APPROX 45MPH. SEVERE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY DID HAVE A NEW-ENOUGH MACHINE TO ALIGN THE CAR. HOW CAN KIA OF IRVINE, NOT HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT TO FIX THE CARS THEY SELL? INSIDE REAR COWLING THAT GOES AROUND THE SMALL PORTAL WINDOW ON THE RIGHT WAS WARPED FROM THE FACTORY. CAR WAS NOT MOVING. GOT A REPLACEMENT PART; HOWEVER, IT WAS A POOR INSTALL JOB AND THE FRONT PART OF THE COWLING DOES NOT ALIGN WELL WITH ITS LOWER CONNECT PIECE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE IS BECOMING SEVERELY WORN BECAUSE OF ALIGNMENT ISSUE THAT CAN'T BE FIXED. EXTERIOR PLASTIC COVER ON LEFT-SIDE A-FRAME PILLAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY SCRATCHED AND LOSE. KIA OF IRVINE WILL NOT FIX IT - THEY ONLY WANT TO BUFF THE PLASTIC. NOT A PROPER FIX BECAUSE THE PART IS STILL LOSE.

NHTSA complaint #11230612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 KIA Soul at 10,900 miles Kemah, TX

WHEELS

TIRE SEPARATION DRIVERS SIDE REAR. JUNE1ST. VEHICLE GOING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON FREEWAY TEMPERATURE WAS 90 F AND ABOUT 60% HUMIDITY CAR HAD NO SPARE PROVIDED WITH CAR. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #11218382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA Soul at 87,000 miles Magnolia, DE

WHEELS

ON MAY 29TH 2018 I WENT BACK TO HOLLY KIA WITH A PROBLEM WITH MY TIRES . I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR AGAIN ABOUT THE CATALY CONVERTER. HE STATED TO REPAIR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD COST ME ABOUT $1100. I WAS TRULY UPSET BECAUSE MY CAR IS ONLY 4YEARS OLD. ONCE I PICKED UP MY CAR I CONTACTED THE KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND SPOKE TO ANOTHER YOUNG LADY EXPLAINING TO HER THE SITUATION AND SHE WAS VERY RUDE UNPROFESSIONAL BECAUSE SHE TOLD ME THAT IT KIA ONLY MANUFACTURES THE CAR BUT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHEN A PART SUCH AS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY GO BAD IN A CAR AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. SHE THEN STATED THAT THE NEXT TIME I PURCHASE A CAR I SHOULD MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE BEFORE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS REPAIRING. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY TIRES AND I EXPLAINED TO THE YOUNG LADY THIS AS WELL. I TOLD HER I JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DID NOT WANT TO HELP ME GET THESE SITUATIONS FIX BECAUSE MY CAR WAS FAIRLY NEW. WELL I DIDN'T GET HELP FROM HER. FAR AS MY TIRES AFTER GETTING THE CRANK SENSOR FIX I FOUND MYSELF BACK AT HOLLY KIA GETTING MY TIRES LOOKED AT BECAUSE THE AIR KEPT GOING OUT. ONE MORNING GOING TO WORK A YOUNG MAN STOPPED ME ON THE HIGHWAY TO TELL ME MY TIRE WAS FLAT I IMMEDIATELY BUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND WENT TO HOLLY KIA AND TOLD THE SAME PARTS SERVICE SUPERVISOR WHAT THE PROBLEM HE TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD THE TECHNICIAN LOOK AT MY TIRES I ASKED HIM COULD HE HAVE THEM LOOK AT ALL THE TIRES BECAUSE I AM PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRES EVERY OTHER DAY. WELL IN JUNE MY SON HAD TO PURCHASE THAT SAME TIRE THAT THEY SAID WAS FIX AND TOLD ME ALL THE OTHER TIRES WERE GOOD. IN SEPTEMBER 2018 I HAD TO END UP PURCHASING THREE OTHER TIRES BECAUSE I WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO PUT AIR IN THE OTHER TIRES. EVER SINCE I PURCHASE THE TIRES NO PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11185103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 KIA Soul at 4,500 miles Toney, AL

WHEELS

WALL TRIANA HWY MADISON WAS BEING PAVED ON WEDNESDAY 2/27/19. THEY HAD SPRAYED SOME TYPE OF LIQUID TAR ON THE ROAD FOR PREPPING. MY CAR IS COVERED WITH THE BLACK SUBSTANCE AND I AM UNABLE TO GET IT OFF. IT HAS COVERED MY REAR WINDOW AND BACK OF CAR. IT IS ALSO ON MY SIDE DOOR PANELS AND UNDER MY VEHICLE,TIRES AND RIMS. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11184858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul at 53,500 miles Rotonda West, FL Fire

WHEELS

ON 11/19/18 OUR 2015 KIA SOUL WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AT APPROX 4:30 PM AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK, 4 HOURS LATER IN EVENING WHILE WATCHING TV AT APPROX 8:33PM WE HEARD A LOUD POP OUTSIDE, WE BOTH RAN TO FRONT DOOR TO SEE THE KIA SOUL FRONT END INGULFED IN FLAMES RISING SO HIGH HITTING ROOF OF OUR GARAGE. I CALLED 911 WHILE BACKING OUR OTHER CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY AWAY FROM FLAMES, WHILE MY HUSBAND TRIED TO PUT OUT FIRE WITH EXTINGUSER AND WATER HOSE. THE FIREMEN ARRIVED AND FINISHED PUTTING OUT FIRE BUT KIA SOUL WAS TOTALED. KIA DEALERSHIP IN SARASOTA FL HAS NOT OFFERED ANY HELP OR ANSWERS. WE WENT ONLINE AND SEE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE KIAS BURSTING INTO FLAMES...THE MANUFACTURER HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! DAMAGE TO OUR HOME WAS ALSO DONE MELTING STUCCO, CHARING GARAGE DOOR AND CEMENT DRIVEWAY WHERE CAR BURNED. OUR HOME IS ONLY 1-1/2 YEARS OLD!

NHTSA complaint #11153421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 KIA Soul at 14,000 miles Brownsville, TX

WHEELS

REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH WITH NO WARNING (NO LOW PRESSURE SIGN), NO EXTERNAL FACTORS (DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING). CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, BUT DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. VEHICLE HAS NEXEN TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #11131703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 KIA Soul at 5,900 miles Poughkeepsie, NY

WHEELS

WE DROVE THE CAR FOR 5900 MILES WHEN WE NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE WALL FOR ONE OF THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE KUMHO SOLUS TA31. WE CONTACTED THE USA REP AND WERE DIRECTED TO A SEARS AUTOCENTER FOR AN INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SEARS CENTRE WILL OPEN THE CLAIM FOR US. TE SERAS CENTER DID NOT OPENED THE CLAIM AND ISSUED A REPORT WITHOUT ANY DETAILS ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE TIRE. WE MADE A SECOND CALL TO THE KUMHO REP AND GOT THE RUN AROUND ABOUT GOING TO THE CENTER WITHOUT A CLAIM OPENED. THEY OPENED FINALLY A CLAIM AND THEY SUGGESTED TO GO TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. WE VOICED OUR CONCERN ABOUT LOSING TIME AND WORK HOURS, NOT TALKING ABOUT USING A CAR THAT MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT ANOTHER TIRE MAY EXHIBIT THE SAME ISSUE IF THEY ARE FROM THE SAME SERIES?! WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THAT KUMHO HONORED THE WARRANTY THEY ISSUED FOR THESE TIRES. IT WILL BE MUCH FASTER TO PAY 120$ AND PURCHASE A NEW TIRE, HOWEVER WE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TYPE OF WARRANTY THAT IS OFFERED BY KUMHO

NHTSA complaint #11092780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA Soul problems