Our new soul+ was purchased in august 2009 new. It was almost immediate that scratches and scuffs were coming out on the interior panels. The slightest scuff or even just scrating with a fingernail was enough to make a permanent scratch. Very poor quality panels and after speaking with other owners on a soul forum...I am not alone. *tr
2010 Kia Soul body problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1fire
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Kia Soul in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2010 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2010 Kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 18,117 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Kia/Soul.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.