2012 Kia Soul: steering wheel locks up

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Steering · PA

The attached MDPS Flexible Coupling warranty announcement identifies "noise when turning the steering wheel" and later "especially when stopped" as the concern for which KIA would authorize a repair within warranty. The same is in the attached Technical Service Bulletin posted to your Site. Identifying noise as the concern is deceptive, the noise arises from the fact that there is loss of synchony between the steering wheel and the steering. So, while while the car is in motion and the steering wheel is held steady, the wheels and steering turn somewhat in reaction to the road surface, at times alarmingly. I first became aware of this several weeks ago but am told by another driver(my child) that it's been happening for a while. My mechanic was aware of the issue and thought there was a related recall (which proved wrong), but still suggested I seek repair at KIAs responsibility as a safety concern. After having contacted KIA Customer Service, I scheduled recall service (unelated items) with a KIA dealer and added discussion of the steering to the visit (11.25.24) through Kia Customer Service. In the course of that visit, the dealer indicated that the MDPS would continue to deteriorate and could result in the steering locking up and offered to repair at my cost. At that same time, I was on the phone with KIA seeking their responsibility and I declined the dealer's offer. Today I received an unsolicited telephone call from Kia (Jen-Escalated Case Representative 520.274.1098.) The purpose was to inform me that because I declined the dealer's offer to repair at my cost, any harm that might come from the defect is my responsibililty. Presumably, owner assumption of responsibilty is behind warranty announcement's instructing the recipient to provide the notice to new owner(s) in the event of ownership transfer. Please review this MDPS defect for consideration for safety recall. Kia knows that noise is not the concern. I am glad to allow your inspection.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · CA

The vehicles steering wheel makes a clunking sound and there is a lot of play in it. It makes noise from left to right and vibrates at higher speeds. I have to drive with both hands gripping the wheel to hold it steady. I drive on the freeway at least once a week to visit my son and grandkids and now to nervous to drive it as it’s an hour drive. I am a senior and cannot afford to pay out of pocket. I’ve had my 2012 Kia Soul since 2013. I bought it used with 22,000 miles on it. I now have reached the 100,000 mile mark. I paid $20,000 for this vehicle over time and now I need Kia to step up and pay for this defect. Since it’s happening in almost all their cars it must be their fault. I don’t understand why they are not fixing the 2012’s but all other years are covered. That is a mistake that will kill someone soon and then they will have a lot more problems than they are facing now. They recently offered me a steering wheel lock so that my car can’t be stolen, that’s funny cause I don’t think that it would be worth stealing cause the steering is already compromised. Please get them to step up and take care of all their customers as it’s their fault. The part is a little rubber star thing that costs $8.00 but labor is 400 dollars and up. Thank you for listening.

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Steering · KY

Steering column lock. I took the vehicle back complaining about the steering wheel having a rough spot in it they act like they could not find nothing while under warranty. Over the years it's progressively getting worse now the steering wheel will not lock when you pull the key out. While driving the car you can notice a click in the wheel in both directions where the key lock is trying to lock back in the position while driving. I called Kia and complained they said the vehicle was out of warranty how many other people has had this problem. When driving down the road I can feel in the wheel every time I move it right or left. My problem is what do you do if a steering wheel locks up running 60 70 mph down the road is other Kia owners having this problem has anybody been killed or because KEA is ignoring the problem with steering columns. The lock hasn't worked in two or three years now it is getting to the point that it has a real noticeable click and kink in the steering wheel. I think the government should check in on a KEA and make sure it's not an ongoing problem with other KEA's.

Filed Nov 27, 2017 · Steering · 125,000 miles · FL

The steering wheel is loose with much "play" in steering and a clicking noise from the steering lock. This happens both stationary with the car on in park and when driving. The vehicle shakes when braking. I do not have full control over the steering. When I brake at speeds over about 30mph. I have had alignment done and suspension checked and it is not apparently the issue. I now have a loud rubbing noise coming from the steering wheel when I turn left or right. The clicking and looseness and rubbing noise is present when the car is idle or being driven in city or highway.

Filed Nov 20, 2017 · Steering · 87,000 miles · FL

The steering wheel became loose with much "play" in steering and a clicking noise from the steering lock. This happens both stationary with the car on in park and when driving. I have had alignment and suspension checked and it is not apparently the issue. Apparently the steering shaft becomes loose where it is coupled with the steering gear/rack. This loose steering is very dangerous as when steering around curves the car steering actually pulls on the road so I now go much slower around curves than is posted on speed signs to avoid loosing control of my vehicle. When I go over uneven roads or bumps the car also shifts and pulls as I do not have full control over the steering. When I brake at speeds over about 40mph I notice that there is also this same play in the steering so I make sure I am considerably a far distance behind another vehicle in order to stop slowly. I feel that this is a very dangerous problem with the 2012 kia soul and have noticed upon researching online that the kia optima has a similar problem which was eventually recalled for repair. I have contacted kia customer service as well as my kia dealer with this complaint and was told that since my car was over the warranty miles there was nothing they could do regarding repairs.

Filed Sep 26, 2013 · Steering · 2,432 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 20012 kia soul. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized when the engine was started. The engine had to be restarted several times in order for the contact to be able to unlock the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the steering column however the failure was not corrected. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,432 and the current mileage is 6,100 updated 11/12/13

Filed Mar 29, 2013 · Steering · 8,572 miles · FL

Steering wheel locking at speed very dangerous is unsafe to drive vehicle.

Filed Mar 6, 2012 · Driver assistance, Steering · 200 miles · OH · crash

I bought a brand new kia soul in nov of 2011. Within 200 miles of ownership, the electronic stability control malfunction and falsely activated. The ESC not only falsely activated but remained activated. The steering wheel was locked up and could only be turned if considerable force was applied to it. I carefully pulled over the to side of the road. I turned off my vehicle then started it back up hoping the ESC would turn off. It did not. I ended up having to get the vehicle towed to my dealer. The kia dealer service shop ultimately had to replace the entire steering column to "fix" the problem. About two months later I was driving down the interstate and attempted to do a lane change. Again the electronic stability control falsely activated and caused me to collide with the vehicle directly in front of me. When the ESC activated, the steering wheel locked up and caused a sudden loss of control, resulting in the accident. These are just 2 of many incidents I have experienced.