Steering Column problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Soul

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 contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 55 - 65 mph, the steering wheel would vibrate and made a knocking noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Clunking in the steering column turning right and left. Feels loose. Happens while driving or stationary.

Clunking when turning, now the steering column is loose.

I own a 2012 kia Soul + with 39,000 miles on it. I recently heard a clunking in the steering column when the wheel is turned from left to right while stationary and while driving. Research shows it to be the steering coupler. There has been a recall on this coupler in other kia models but not the 2012 kia Soul. The dangers of loosing steering because of this coupler are the same no matter what vehicle you are driving I therefore cannot understand why there is not a recall for the 2012 kia Soul as well as any models with this same coupler. Seems to me kia is getting off the hook for this model year and it doesn't seem right to me. Please look into this and I hope you will see that the dangers involving the failure of this part is safety matter that deserves a recall for the 2012 model as it has for other models with the same coupler.

Tl the contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. While driving approximately 2 mph, the steering wheel made a clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to aloha kia (94-169 farrington hwy, waiphau, hawaii 96819) where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

I have a 2012 kia Soul that has 75,000 miles on it and has started making the highly complained about clunking noise and shifting/loose sensation in the upper steering column when turning wheel back and forth from left to right whether stationary or driving. It has also for some time been experiencing the shaking steering wheel at around 80 mph that has complaints. I am a former mechanic and through reading all the similar complaints and seeing symptom/repair videos I have diagnosed my clunking steering column to be caused by a failed steering coupler. This is a problem that has been recalled by kia on other vehicles but not on 2012 Soul. This steering coupler issue should have kia recalling all vehicles that have reports of this failure. I am loosing faith in Kia Motors. I should not have to replace this part on my time/money.

Steering column coupler to mdps is of poor design and fails prematurely. Kia has recalled the same part in the optimas in the same years and future models have been affected as well. If not replaced the steering column can completely disconnect from the steering wheel and result in a complete loss of control. This has not directly happened if the parts are replaced due to the other symptoms of knocking or clicking but is a significant design flaw for using inferior plastics in critical component of driving control. Reference TSB cha 44-2014, cha 74-2016.

Steering wheel has developed significant "play" in being able to move 1-2 inches either way with an audible clunk when it reaches the point of actually engaging the steering mechanism. . Read more...

Steering suddenly became loose with a "click" on either side of play. Was told by kia dealer that the steering column had to be replaced at a cost of $1843. If I didn't fix it, my steering might go out at any time. Kia covered the same problem with recalls on later models but refused to cover this because of vehicle age, even though it's not a mileage or age issue, it's a dangerous design flaw. I've found dozens of identical complaints online.

Was going down ten, kia can't determine if my power steering want bout while going down the highway going 55, and then hitting a deer. The body work has been fixed but my vehicle has no power steering. Power steering is not responding - mdps will not communicate with vehicle. Failure in electronic mdps at top of steering column. They checked all connectors, and no physical damage to column itself. Found c1503 -esc/ecs (esp) error and c1687 - time out vsm2 (mdps) failure. Diagnosis says I need a power steering column and motor assembly. Geico refuses to cover this saying it's a common electrical power steering issue with kia's. If these are messing up electronically while driving this year for 2012 should be recalled. It feels as if insurance has found a loophole to not cover kia Souls with power steering. I also saw a corrosion issue recall and my car was from ohio which I lived there years with it before moving to virginia. No one at the newport news virginia kia even mentioned the recall for my VIN #, I found it while registering my kia online.

I have a 2012 kia Soul+ that has 80,000 miles on it and has started making the highly complained about clunking noise and shifting/loose sensation in the upper steering column when turning wheel back and forth from left to right whether stationary or driving. It has also for some time been experiencing the shaking steering wheel at around 80 mph that has complaints. I am a former mechanic and through reading all the similar complaints and seeing symptom/repair videos I have diagnosed my clunking steering column to be caused by a failed steering coupler. This is a problem that has been recalled by kia on other vehicles but not on 2012 Soul. I am interested to find out if this coupler is also behind my shaking steering wheel at higher speeds. Shaking is not due to tires, wheels, or alignment/parts problems as problem was same before I just put new tires on and had balance/alignment done. Also was no different between several tire rotations of old tires. This steering coupler issue should have kia recalling all vehicles that have reports of this failure. I am loosing faith in Kia Motors. I should not have to replace this part on my time/money.

Steering column makes a rather loud knocking noise as it's being while the car is stationary and when it's in motion. Steering coupler should be recalled not made for the consumer to foot the bill on inferior products.

My vehicle started making a clunking/clicking sound from the steering column area when turning the steering wheel right or left. The noise/sound quickly started getting louder in a short amount of time/mileage. The steering also started getting looser as the sound increased. This occurred both while setting still or while in motion. The repair shop had to replace a faulty steering coupler (56315-2kooofff) for about $225. 00. After the replacement the sound/noise and looseness are gone.

There has been a clicking noise when turning the wheel to either side, whiling driving or in still mode. It seems as this has also been an issue with later motels as their was a recall involving the steering system for years 2014 - 2016. From research, there have been many talk from 2012 kia Soul owners having to have their coupler in the steering wheel column replaced due to possible safely issues.

About three weeks ago, while sitting in the car letting it warm up and while driving on the city streets I heard a cluncking sound in the sterering column when turing left and right and the sound is present currently. I am afraid the steering wheel will lock up or come off while I am driving!.

Dashboard lights came on and car wouldn't start. Had car towed to kia of bowie MD. , who did a diagnostic and replaced electrical panel which cost estimated $200. 00 dollars including diagnostic. Kia of bowie never called and when I finally contacted someone a week later, they stated the steering column was out and would cost approximate $2000. 00 and that's the part. Car has only 70. 000 miles.

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that while being operated at various speeds an abnormal noise was emitted from the vehicle steering column. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to west palm beach kia 735 s military trail, west palm beach, FL where the failure was confirmed however no further assistance was offered due to no recalls being attributed to the VIN. The manufacturer was notified however they informed the contact of no recalls under the VIN and documented the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74751. Kh.

Steering wheel / column loose and locks up while driving on highway. Almost caused an accident. Apparently this is a historical problem with the kia Soul as previous documentation/complaints to NHTSA and kia. Waiting to see what coral springs kia will do to fix their problem under warranty. 31,000 miles on vehicle 2012 kia Soul.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that the steering column made an abnormal noise and was not operable. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column and gear needed to be replaced. It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was not provided.

The steering column makes a clunking noise when being turned, while stationary or moving. 90,000 miles on car, afraid the steering may give out. . . Has been getting progressively worse since initial clunking began at about 70,000 miles.

The steering column "clunks" when turned and when driven on uneven roads. It was taken in for repairs but I was told there is nothing wrong with the steering column. Also had to replace the passenger cv joint mount.

I have 80000 miles on my 2012 kia Soul and the steering column is very noisy and seems to be on the verge of disintegrating and leaving me without the ability to steer the car. The dealership admitted that there is a problem with it but refuse to fix it since it out out of warranty.

We traveled from tennessee to florida and the steering kept locking-up on the kia Soul. We went to galeana kia in ft. Myers, FL and told them that ?when driving on the highway steering wheel just locks going straight and has to have applied pressure to turn right or left?. Galeana kia did this on 12/4/2012: verify intermittent p/s assist inop. Remove p/s column & assist unit. Applied stabilant 22 to all connectors. Remove control wiring harness. Remove ipm module. Remove & test hecu. Found stripped bolt in ground gng10 loose ground. Remove & rethreaded ground clean paint. Notified tl. On the return trip back to tennessee, the steering started locking-up again. On 12/28/2012, we took the car the rusty wallace kia, and complained again about the steering. They kept the car for two days and returned to car to us and told us to drive it and call them if we still had the problem. On 1/17/2013, the steering started locking up again ? more often. On 1/21/2013, the steering is still locking up and I call rusty wallace kia to take it in for more service. I have contacted kia headquarters ([xxx]) about this steering problem and have case #[xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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 24,032 and the current mileage was 61,100.

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.