2016 Kia Soul Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 30 steering complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul, 4% of that year's 812 total complaints, with 2 crashes and 2 injuries reported. A related recall, 17V608000, covers a pinion plug that can let the pinion gear separate from the steering gear assembly.
- Steering complaints
- 30
- 4% of 812
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 53,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden loss of steering control or the wheel veering without warning while driving at low speed.
- Some report the steering wheel becoming difficult or impossible to turn, requiring them to force or snatch the wheel to change direction.
- Several describe clicking, squeaking, or knocking noises from the steering column, sometimes when turning or driving over bumps, that grow louder over time and make the steering feel stiffer.
- Some owners report sudden loss of power steering assist while driving at highway speed, making the vehicle hard to steer.
- A few complaints describe the steering wheel seizing or an indicator flashing during startup, followed by the vehicle being undriveable.
- Owners tied to recall 17V608000 report loose steering or delays getting parts for the pinion plug or steering gear assembly repair.
When 2016 Kia Soul steering complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 3, 2017, latest Feb 18, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul
- NHTSA 17V608000Sep 29, 2017Steering342,381 vehicles
Steering
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
Risk: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Steering complaints by Soul model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many steering complaints does the 2016 Kia Soul have?
- NHTSA lists 30 steering complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul, which is 4% of the 812 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a steering recall for the 2016 Kia Soul?
- Yes. Recall 17V608000, reported September 29, 2017, covers 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles where the pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly. Kia dealers inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly.
- Did the 2016 Kia Soul steering problems cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA records 2 crashes and 2 injuries among the 30 steering complaints for the 2016 Soul, with no fires reported.
- At what mileage do 2016 Kia Soul steering problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure among reported steering complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul is 53,500 miles.
- How does the 2016 Kia Soul compare to other years for steering complaints?
- The 2016 Soul's 30 steering complaints and 4% share are lower than 2012 (166 complaints, 32%) and 2013 (151 complaints, 23%), which had the highest steering complaint shares in NHTSA data for this model.