Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia soul. While driving 45 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle veered to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle drove up onto a sidewalk, where all four tires were punctured, the oil pan was damaged, the subframe was bent, and the frontal air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The…
2015 Kia Soul steering problems
critical 44 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
8crashes
1fire
6injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 44 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Kia Soul, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 44 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering lost power without any warning. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was kept for about two months but was unable to be diagnosed or replicated the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Had steering trouble with your 2015 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 steering problem on the 2015 Kia Soul?
It's a serious issue. 44 complaints have been filed, including 8 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 11,000 and 72,323 miles, with the median around 39,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 72,323. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2015/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.