This page covers 5 recalls, 134 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Kia Soul.
26–28 mpg combined
8.4–9 L/100km
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints for the 2010 Kia Soul spread across several systems, but structure and electrical are the most frequently reported. On the structural side, owners commonly describe rusting fuel tank mounting straps or brackets, a recurring theme where the hardware holding the tank in place corrodes, raising concerns about the tank's security over time. Electrical complaints center on communication failures between the vehicle's main computer and the transmission control module, with owners reporting shifting problems, no-start conditions, and scanner codes indicating the modules can't talk to each other. Airbag-related complaints round out the top three reported systems, though individual reports vary in detail. A smaller number of owners describe engine symptoms including the check engine light flashing and smoke coming from under the hood, sometimes accompanied by audible mechanical sounds from the engine.
134
Total Complaints
22
Crash-Related
15
Fire-Related
17
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Kia Soul has 5 recalls, the most serious being a wiring defect in the front door speaker lighting that can cause an electrical short and start a fire.
On the occupant safety side, vehicles equipped with a sunroof have a headliner plate that can break free when the side curtain airbags deploy, sending a rigid panel into the cabin and raising the risk of injury to occupants. On vehicles with heated cloth seats, the seat heater wiring can deteriorate over time and damage the heating mat, potentially burning through the seat material and injuring whoever is sitting in it.
At a glance
What can fail
Heated seat wiring can wear and damage over time. If a heating mat fails, it may melt a hole in the seat cushion or backrest, potentially injuring the occupant.
What the fix does
Dealers will patch the seat heater areas and reposition the wiring. If burning or melting is found, they will replace the heater and adjust the wiring positioning.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headliner plate above the sunroof may come loose when the curtain air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will install adhesive strips to secure the headliner plate to prevent detachment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain vehicles with sunroofs, the headliner plates above the side windows can come loose when the side curtain airbag deploys, potentially hitting occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates in place.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness in the front door trim panel lighting may have poor solder joints. When lights turn on under certain conditions, this can cause an electrical short that may result in fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiring harness in the affected front door trim panel.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Wiring harnesses in the front door trim panels (Soul) or front and rear door trim panels (Sorento) may have faulty solder joints, potentially causing lighting malfunctions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected wiring harnesses at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
