premature wear of the motor-driven power steering (MDPS) flexible coupling. This wear causes a "knock" or "clunk" noise when turning the steering wheel, especially at a stop, and may be accompanied by a tight or loose steering feel.
2012 Kia Soul: harsh or hard shifting
48 of the 516 complaints about the 2012 Kia Soul describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 48
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 61,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
What owners say
Steering wheel clunks and has "PLAY" when turning left and right. I consider this to be a problem if it gets worse, possible loss of steering completely. Have looked on internet and found this problem is talked about. There are no warning lights or lamps displayed.
My Kia Soul started having play in the steering and sounding clunky when driving. I took it in today to Jeff Eyler Kia on Mitchell Ave Cincinnati Ohio to do recalls and to check this out. They said I should replace the whole steering wheel. Online there are many complaints about this steering problem yet you have not made Kia to recall. It seems that it is a plastic part coupler yet the Kia dealer service is trying to get me to replace the whole column. What is being done about all these complaints. I see on the complaint website there has been 6 accidents and 2 deaths. Please do something.
I noticed severe overreaction in steering column to any bumps in the road. Examples are: Jerking of Wheel, Loud Clunking Noises, Ticking Sound when Turning at Slow Speeds. My mechanic immediately said Steering Coupling needs replaced. I then researched on the federal safety agency website. I have one question: HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE A RECALL IS MADE?
This involves the MDPS steering wheel coupler. Spoke with Kia care center 12/20/23 Amy said notice was sent to owners in 2019 I NEVER RECIEVED ANY NOTICE ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE A VERY LOUND CLUNKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE I HAVE OWED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2016. Just purchased another vehicle in October 2023 because of the Kia problems. Kia is NOT going to fix the problem!! And i have another recall on the car so it is parked at my neighbors house for fear of it catching on fire!! I am paying for full coverage insurance on a vehicle i can't drive or sell!!
The steering column makes a loud clunking noise when operating the vehicle. Even in park when you turn the wheel you here the noise. When driving there is a definite shaking noise andthe wheel feels very loose which makes steering hard to control. I have made an appointment at the dealership to be inspected and estimate of repair. The car has 43.798 original miles. It is now only driven to keep the battery charged. We are expecting a full explanation of from kia.
The steering coupler is worn on on my car. It causes the car to vibrate and a clunking sound to happen when driving. This is a common problem with Kias but isn't covered by a recall.
The steering wheel began to shake violently at highway speed and when making turns. When stopped, the steering wheel make a clunking noise when moved from side to side. Mechanic said it was a worn flexible steering coupler in the steering wheel power steering unit. The car is dangerous to drive and only has 80,000 miles on it. I am told this issue is common in KIA Souls and should be subject to a recall. ,
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.
My 2012 Kia Soul has a problem with steering wheel make a clunking sound when move left to right and also when driving at speeds around 65mph steering wheel vibration we need a full recall on steering coupler.
It started as a little tapping for about 5 days in the engine compartment when it was running then turned to giant clunking when the gas was pressed as well
"play" and clicking noises in steering wheel have increasingly gotten much worse and noisier, clicking and clunking on turns. I feel like any moment my steering is going to go out and I am going to put everyone in my car and around me at risk. Called dealership and they said it is a common problem which I researched and found that the coupler in steering wheel fails. Kia used the same part in presvious years same model and even years afterward and those years were recalled but not my year. Makes no sense. The next issue was I was driving on the highway at 70 and all of a sudden lost power and car would not accelerate beyond a speed of 45 mph. Black smoke came out of my tail pipe and I limped home at 20 mph. Mo engine warning lights but I could smell something was hit like melted plastic. After letting the car sit a couple hours, I started it and it sounds like there is a hole in the exhaust all of a sudden. There lots of black ish grey soot under my car as if a balloon burst with soot in it from underneath the car somewhere. I called the dealer and described the issue and all they did was look up my vin and tell me there is no recall and that I must have gotten bad gas somewhere.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Transmission fluid application guide
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity...
- Transmission fluid application guide
- - Transmission fluid application guide
- TSB - driveshaft serviceability
- 6-SPD. a/t adaptive value reset /relearn
- 6 spd a/t solenoid replacement multiple dtcs
- TCM upgrade - active eco acceleration logic improvement
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2012 Kia Soul harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2012 Kia Soul?
48 of 516 owner complaints about the 2012 Kia Soul (9%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Kia Soul?
There are 0 recalls and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Kia Soul
Check engine light 86Steering noise 79Stalling 61Engine failure 50Knocking 50Fire or smoke 28Won't start 16Loss of power 14Oil consumption 14Jerking 13No deployment 12Overheating 10Misfire 8Steering lock-up 8Won't shift 7Backup camera 6Hesitation 6Power steering loss 6Grinding brakes 5Fuel smell 5Headlights 5
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