How common are steering complaints on the 2012 Kia Soul?

NHTSA has 166 steering-related complaints for the 2012 Soul, which is 32% of the 514 total complaints filed for that year — the largest share among all Soul model years listed.

Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2012 Kia Soul?

No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this steering issue on the 2012 Kia Soul.

At what mileage do steering problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this steering issue is 68,500 miles.

Have steering issues caused crashes or injuries in the 2012 Kia Soul?

NHTSA data links 3 crashes and 6 injuries to steering complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul.

2012 Kia Soul Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 166 steering complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul, 32% of all 514 complaints filed for that year — the highest share of any model year. Median mileage at failure was 68,500 miles, with 3 crashes and 6 injuries reported, and no related recall exists in this data.

Steering complaints: 166; 32% of 514
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 6
Median mileage: 68,500 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

Power steering assist cuts out or fails to communicate, sometimes leaving the driver with no power steering while underway.
Steering wheel locks or seizes at startup or while driving, requiring considerable force to turn or repeated restarts to free it.
Steering column develops a banging, clicking, or grinding noise that owners say worsens over time and signals looming failure.
Electronic stability control and power steering warning lights illuminate together, often tied to an assist-motor or column fault.
Dealers replace the steering motor, column, or gear assembly, but in some cases the problem returns after the repair.

When 2012 Kia Soul steering complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 6, 2012, latest Jun 18, 2026.

166 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q3 (12).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Soul model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201012 (10%)
20114 (2%)
2012166 (32%)
2013151 (23%)
201455 (6%)
201544 (5%)
201630 (4%)
201710 (4%)
20185 (2%)
20195 (4%)
202016 (4%)
20219 (4%)
20222 (2%)
20238 (16%)
20241 (3%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering complaints on the 2012 Kia Soul?: NHTSA has 166 steering-related complaints for the 2012 Soul, which is 32% of the 514 total complaints filed for that year — the largest share among all Soul model years listed.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2012 Kia Soul?: No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this steering issue on the 2012 Kia Soul.
At what mileage do steering problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this steering issue is 68,500 miles.
Have steering issues caused crashes or injuries in the 2012 Kia Soul?: NHTSA data links 3 crashes and 6 injuries to steering complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul.