TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Kia Soul steering problems
critical Owners of the 2015 Kia Soul have filed 44 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 39,500 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Soul | 4 |
| 2012 Soul | 166 |
| 2013 Soul | 150 |
| 2014 Soul | 55 |
| 2015 Soul (this page) | 44 |
| 2016 Soul | 30 |
| 2017 Soul | 9 |
| 2018 Soul | 5 |
| 2019 Soul | 5 |
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 13, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles that are not equipped with an immobilizer, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Igni
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will ship it directly to customers who place orders within eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2015 Kia Soul describe multiple steering failures. The primary defect involves the pinion plug—a small part that secures the pinion gear inside the steering assembly—loosening from weak adhesive bonding, eventually separating and causing partial or total loss of steering control. Drivers report clicking or popping noises when turning, then sudden loss of power steering, with some describing their steering wheel becoming 90% impaired while moving at 25–45 mph. Two crashes with injuries and one fatal crash appear linked to this defect.
Power steering loss also occurs independently: steering suddenly becomes very tight or locks completely, with no warning lights, forcing drivers to strain to turn the wheel or regain control.
Steering columns themselves fail, producing squeaking and popping sounds, sometimes seizing without warning. Some vehicles shake and vibrate persistently through the steering wheel and entire cabin—one owner visited a dealer five times over 4,000 miles without resolution.
Kia issued recalls 15V736000 and 17V608000, but owners report parts remained on backorder for months through 2017–2018, preventing timely repair. Some dealers charged $1,227.97 for the repair despite it being a recall item, refused service based on vehicle age or salvage title, or simply never completed the work. One owner has not driven the car for three months due to safety fears while waiting for a dealership to repair it.
Same Kia Soul steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Steering pinion plug loosening / separation
The pinion plug that secures the pinion gear to the steering gear assembly loosens due to insufficient adhesive bonding during manufacturing. If it loosens sufficiently, the pinion gear separates from the steering gear assembly, causing partial or complete loss of steering control.
When: Early in vehicle life (as low as 3,000–11,000 miles reported); some reports at 20,000–50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking or popping noise when turning steering wheel in either direction; Loss of power steering; steering wheel becomes difficult to turn or seizes; Steering becomes very tight or impaired, sometimes 90% reduced; Vehicle veers unexpectedly left or right; Steering wheel looseness
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of steering gear assembly or pinion plug required; parts were on backorder at several dealers as of 2017–2018, delaying repairs for months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recalls 15V736000 and 17V608000 issued; dealers performed repair under recall when parts available; some dealers excluded recall from warranty and charged $1,227.97 for repair; some dealers refused repair due to vehicle age or salvage/flood title status
Power steering failure / loss of power steering
Power steering suddenly fails or becomes severely restricted during driving, making the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Occurs without warning and without illuminating warning lights in most cases.
When: Reported at speeds of 20–60 mph; mileage range 9,000–85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering stops working abruptly for seconds to minutes; Steering wheel becomes very tight or locks up completely; Loss of steering control causing veering and inability to maneuver; No warning lights illuminate (in most reports)
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear replacement diagnosed as needed; parts often on backorder; some vehicles not yet repaired due to parts unavailability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V608000 issued; some dealerships unable to schedule or complete repair due to system outages or parts unavailability; no manufacturer assistance offered in some cases
Steering column mechanical failure / squeaking and popping
Steering column develops squeaking, popping, or clicking noises during operation or when steering wheel is turned. In some cases, the column seizes or fails completely, requiring replacement.
When: Reported at 34,000–105,000 miles; some early reports at low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking noise from steering column when engine is running and at rest; Popping or clicking sound when turning steering wheel left or right; Steering column seizes without warning; Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear replacement performed; one dealer performed goodwill repair under unknown recall; independent diagnosis showed steering gear attached to rack and pinion was faulty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown recall referenced in one case; one dealer (Seelye Kia of Battle Creek, Kia of Jackson) offered goodwill repair but vehicle not yet completed
Vibration and shaking throughout vehicle
Vehicle exhibits persistent vibration and shaking felt in steering wheel, under feet, and throughout cabin. Occurs at idle, during turns, and on all road surfaces. Condition does not resolve despite multiple dealer visits, new tires and wheels, and field technician involvement.
When: Started as early as 134 miles on the vehicle; reported through 4,000 miles; some ongoing after multiple repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Significant vibration and shaking at idle and at stop lights; Bouncy, shaky ride felt by all occupants; Vibration under feet like something bumping the car bottom; Steering wheel vibrates as if axles are bad when turning; Vehicle shudders intermittently then runs smoothly again; Occasional sensation that car will not move when accelerating (twice reported)
Repairs/costs cited: New tires and wheels installed with some improvement but vibration persisted; field technician with diagnostic machine sent but issue remained undiagnosed; multiple dealer visits (five recorded in one case) did not resolve the problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia sent vehicle to second dealership after first refused further repair attempts; field technician investigation initiated but no final diagnosis or repair reported
Steering system electrical or mechanical faults with stuck ignition
Vehicle develops issues where the ignition key becomes frozen or stuck in the steering column, preventing the driver from turning the key to start the vehicle. Requires wiggling steering wheel, shifting gears, or waiting several minutes to resolve.
When: Reported in multiple incidents; delays of up to 5 minutes to turn on ignition
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition key frozen and cannot be turned to start vehicle; Requires wiggling steering wheel and shifting gears to free the key
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted in complaints; condition persists over time
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
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.