Kia Soul Kia Soul

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Kia Soul repairs by problem area

Engine (17%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (10%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (37%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (14%)

Other (7%)

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Chart based on 684 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Kia Soul.

Kia Soul suspension repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (35%)

< $100 (48%)

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Chart based on 62 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2018 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 201hp 1.6L I4 7-speed automated manual FWD

11300 mi rear strut replaced 

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2018 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

161-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

19000 mi

US $120
Leaking rear shocks, replaced with Bilsteins #19268552 ordered from Rock auto. Work done at my shop was too much of a hassle to take to dealer. The easiest shocks to install ! 

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2018 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

109-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic FWD

40920 mi Some noise going over some speed bumps 

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2016 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

13000 mi Recall to inspect steering column. No problems found. 
97340 mi

C $200
and worn tie-rod. 

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2015 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

8000 mi On right turns a low grinding sound it stopped making the noise. may have just been something that needed to be worked out 
6000 mi Rear suspension making noise 
29000 mi Steering recall 
9000 mi Steering wheel was not centered, and front tires were cupping. The dealer fixed the tow issue, but the steering wheel still was not centered. I wound up making the adjustments myself at the tie rod ends. 
32500 mi Recall to install set screw to prevent loss of steering 
39000 mi Factory recall 
51000 mi

US $470
Ball joint replacement 
22940 mi Manufacturer recall for Pinion plug in steering mechanism. 
24000 mi Factory recall 
60000 mi

US $480
Upper left ball joint replaced -- oops this was done at repair shop other than dealer 

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2014 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

11000 mi steering bolts replaced under guarantee 
16000 mi replace and torque steering bolts 
22000 mi Crunching/grinding noise emanating from suspension areas. 
24000 mi Rattles coming from steering column. Two inch circular plastic piece fell into driver footwell while driving. Origin unknown. 
25400 mi Grinding and crunching noises emanating from front and rear undercarriage. Dealer retorqued loose suspension nuts and bolts. Repair was not successful as noise is still present. 
33000 mi Axle hub nuts were replaced under recall. 
33586 mi

US $108
One shock was leaking fluid. Replaced both. 
137000 mi

US $324
Noise from the front end. Both sway bars links replaced, problem resolved. 
45000 mi Another recall for suspension issue. Also dealing with squeaking during cold temperatures whenever going over any bumps. 

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2013 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

49000 mi

US $200
Both front struts replaced due to bent strut. 
133000 mi

US $250
Steering was clunking when turned. It needed a tiny $10 part, the rest was labor. 
29000 mi Vehicle would pull hard left or hard right 
20240 mi Clicking, metallic noise coming from rear of vehicle. Dealer replaced both left and right rear shock absorbers. Noise gone. 

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2012 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

168000 mi

US $1100
I purchased Kia struts and shocks on line approx $550. Indi shop installed for $559. This was before quick struts were available,e aftermarket. 
129580 mi

C $100
Front tie rod ends replaced due to vibration when driving 
96100 mi

C $600
Wobbling noise from front when going over small bumps. Recommended repair was to the replace the sway bar links. 
39700 mi Rack-and-pinion/steering gearbox replaced; coupler inside MDPS (motor-driven power steering system) found to be disintegrating and was replaced 
58000 mi

US $360
Passenger side front axle replaced due to tear in seal, pre-emptive (could have waited a while). I do not consider this a car-specific issue, because Phoenix (low desert) summer heat over time affects rubber and other non-metal elements in all cars.. 

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2012 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

68820 mi

C $1050
struts front both sides 
45000 mi Bad bushing in sway bar link, replaced sway bar link. 

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2012 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

138-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

59000 mi

US $150
Steering wheel was "clunking" when turning; dealer replaced star gear (called it the "clunk star" repair). 

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2011 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

60000 mi Left lower ball joint....something near the tire. Needs to be replaced before I can get tires. Causing tires to wear earlier/alignment issues. 
9000 mi loose power steering line connection, small leak... 
47740 mi I have a rattle that is probably a sway bar bushing gone bad, have not taken it to dealer yet due to logistics, I have every expectation it will be under warranty 
61800 mi

US $245
Needed wheel hub/bearing replacement of driver's side front wheel. 
90000 mi

US $900
Replaced Front shocks and struts 

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2011 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD

89900 mi front right ball joint replaced one front shock had no oil, replaced both front shocks 
114700 mi

C $300
front left ball joint replaced 
118000 mi

US $200
Front struts and lower control arms. 

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2010 Kia Soul

Engine not specified

32240 mi rattle on front drivetrain while driving 

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2010 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

78120 mi

C $282
Sway bar links where making a clunking noise. The tech found the problem while doing an alignment. 
75420 mi

C $210
Took it in for an oil and filter change and the tech discovered a faulty ball joint. New joint was installed. 
106640 mi

C $500
Left rear wheel bearing was failing. 
38740 mi noise left front wheel. replaced 2 bearings, 2 seals 
42160 mi link front left 
46600 mi replace right tie-rod 

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2010 Kia Soul 4dr Hatch

142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

54300 mi

US $600
Alignment was very, very wrong. 1st gen Souls shipped with loose alignment and the tech specs were too loose. These were corrected in 2014. Mine came due, required major overhaul to correct to current spec. 
132120 mi

C $300
Replaced rear bearing 
135160 mi

C $1000
Bearings and struts 
138880 mi

C $142
Stabalizer link 
140160 mi

C $200
Replace Ball joint front passanger side 
235600 mi Stabilizer link and oil change 
4000 mi reported passenger front suspension noise or thump. 
Had a front passenger side suspension loose thud sound. Dealer test drove and ordered new strut upper mount. Dealer installed new right side front strut mount. 
36700 mi right front shock absorber failed 
147844 mi

US $400
Replaced struts and shocks 
91760 mi

C $500
The car squeaked when I drove it, especially when turning at any speed. [Replaced wheel bearing.] 
55000 mi Bad left front wheel bearing 
120000 mi

US $300
Replaced left side front wheel bearing. 
83390 mi

C $800
Replaced the front linkage for the first time, rebalanced wheels. 
101000 mi

US $515
Tie rod ends replaced and they suggested we replace all shocks and struts as well, even though none are leaking. Our roads are terrible here, so no surprise after 100k miles. 
60000 mi

US $230
Lower control arm bushing is broken. Cannot replace just the bushing, so a new LCA was installed. 
65000 mi

US $79
Other Lower Control Arm failed and was replaced. 
103000 mi

US $175
Front suspension was noisy and felt a little loose. The control arm and stabilizer bar control link were replaced 

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Kia Soul Suspension Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Kia Soul problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.