2013 Kia Soul: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Steering · WA

I have noticed an audible “clunk” in the steering mechanism for a few weeks. I had the rack-and-pinion inspected by a local alignment shop to avoid a catastrophic failure. On 12/29/2025 while rapidly decelerating from highway speed on a downhill exit ramp, the steering wheel began to shake violently. My personal research has indicated that the steering coupler disk has failed/disintegrated causing unnecessary looseness between the electrical assist steering motor and steering shaft which has been identified by Kia in a Tecnical Safety Bulletin (TSB) as it's a known safety issue despite being a service campaign rather than a massive single recall for all vehicles.

Filed May 11, 2025 · Steering · CA

Steering wheel making a loud CLUNK sound. Possibly the steering wheel coupler. Concerned that steering wheel might malfunction while driving. Checking for any recalls prior to making an appointment with dealer. Vehicle has not been inspected. Noise started about a month ago and progressively has gotten worse.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Steering · WI

On [XXX], we were driving on [XXX] from Wisconsin into Minnesota to park at MSP airport. Near the state border, we began to hear a clunk sound in the steering column. We chose to park the car at a friend's home near the airport in her garage in case we needed service upon our return from Texas where we travelling to. Prior to driving back to our home from Minneapolis on [XXX] (1.5 hours), we checked with our local mechanic to see if it were safe to drive. He could not diagnose over phone, but suggested coupling issue and that we drive carefully. We made it back home, took car to our local mechanic on 7 October, and thought it would be better to check dealership in Eau Claire, WI (another 30 minute drive). We drove there, slowly, on 18 October, and were told that it was probably the MDPS/Flexible Coupling, but that it would cost us 175 to check, and another 250-300 to replace the 15.00 part. We drove home and had a family emergency out of state and will return now to Wisconsin soon and want to get this fixed as soon as possible. We understand NOW that this is a persistent problem for MANY KIA 2013 Soul and other KIAs and that the federal safety agency has been supportive to some owners over this matter. We do not object to paying for the repair, but not at price-gouging levels. From what we understand, the inspection needed to check for the flex coupling is not difficult nor time consuming. We are afraid to drive the car for safety sake, but we need the car to drive! Do we have any rights to a free inspection if this is a problem with many KIAs? There were no warning lights and no symptoms prior to the sudden noise and now there is a persistent and regular clunk when the steering wheel is moved. Thank you for any information regarding this issue. Again, no accident and no injuries or results from clunk, but KIA history seems to suggest a potential recall need. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 30, 2023 · Steering · SC

The steering on my 2013 Kia soul makes a clunking noise when steering left or right. The steering feels very unstable while driving. If I reach 75 mph the steering gets very noisy and loose. I’m now afraid to drive the vehicle. Upon researching this issue, I found that I am not the only one experiencing this problem. I haven’t taken it to a dealer as of yet. I wanted to see if there was a recall on it. There has been no warning lamps or messages appearing.

Filed Sep 10, 2023 · Steering · GA

My 2013 Kia Soul does not currently have a recall issued for it, but there is a known steering problem that has resulted in 345,000 Kia Souls being recalled. The recall starts with models manufactured in 2013, and yet my model has been excluded. The recall that was issued affects Souls manufactured for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years, spanning manufacture dates from July 21, 2013 though September 30, 2015. Warning signs of an impending failure could be a clunking noise from the steering rack when turning. My 2013 Kia Soul has been experiencing this same clunking noise that has been increasing in severity and causing issues with steering. I am extremely concerned about the safety of driving a car with known steering issues. When I contacted my Kia dealer directly about this concern, they said that the recall wasn't issued for my VIN number. The issue appears to be prevalent for Kia Souls dating back further to 2012, as I have researched to see if others have experienced the same or similar issue. I have attached screenshots of other consumers who have experienced this issue and were also not included in the recall years. There were no warning lamps or messages and the issue has gotten progressively worse, and much more severe, over the past few weeks.

Filed Nov 28, 2021 · Steering · FL

Steering system 'clunking' and getting unstable, increasingly 'loose.' Called local Kia service department about six weeks ago but they never returned my call. Contacted live agent online yesterday, hopefully someone will call back. I'm very afraid to drive it.

Filed Jul 26, 2021 · Steering · VA

I had a serious issue with my steering yesterday. When I tried to parallel park my car yesterday, I turned the steering wheel both left and right to try and park and then I heard loud clunking noises in both directions until my steering wheel gave to the point where it could turn all the way around without turning the wheels at all. It's my understanding that others with my same year of Kia soul are reporting the same and starting in 2014, there was a safety recall. 2013 should be included in the recall because had I been driving, I could have been in a very serious accident.

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Engine · 117,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia soul. The contact stated that the while driving approximately 40 MPH, the clunking noise was present coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer ewald kia located at 36883 e wisconsin ave, oconomowoc, wi 53066 who diagnosed that the engine rod had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2020 · Steering · 101,000 miles · FL

When turning my wheel at low speeds my steering clunks in the column and feels like it is going to come apart. I am scared I am going to loose stearing control. This happens all the time at low speeds or while in a parking lot. It started a month ago and is getting worse. I saw a recall on this but my car is not affe ted and should be.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Steering · 90,000 miles · OK

Steering has play and makes a clunking noice when turned left or right while moving.

Filed Oct 18, 2020 · Steering · IN

When in motion the steering makes a clunking sound moving either left or right . When engine is not in motion it does not . The symptom appears to be the same as the recall done for 2014 model kia souls ... I believe my car should be in the recall

Filed Apr 9, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 101,000 miles · NY

Kia soul 2013 just bought through dealer march 13 2020, and it makes a clunking noise in the front end whenever it's driven and I have kids in this car so if this is an issue with kias something needs to be done ! Makes noise when driving at any speed, turning and very loud