Does the 2010 Kia Soul have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Kia Soul, the most recent reported on December 29, 2014 (Structure: body, roof and pillars). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Soul?

Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (24 complaints), followed by air bags (21).

How many 2010 Kia Soul complaints mention a crash or fire?

23 of 135 complaints report a crash and 15 a fire; 19 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2010 Kia Soul recalls and problems

3 recalls and 135 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Kia Soul.

recalls

135

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2010 Kia Soul recalls

Structure: body, roof and pillars

NHTSA campaign 14V822000 · reported December 29, 2014 · Kia Motors America · 95,314 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
The risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation · 980,377 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 10V388000 · reported August 31, 2010 · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION · 35,185 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Kia is recalling certain model year 2010 soul and model year 2011 sorento vehicles manufactured from september 7, 2009 through july 30, 2010. A limited number of wiring harnesses supplied by jci and used for the lighting in the kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, located in the front door trim panels, and the kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination, located in the front and rear door trim panels, may have been improperly soldered.
The risk: When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur that can result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the lights in the kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, and the wiring harness for the kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 13, 2010. Owners may contact kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system24
Air bags21
Structure21
Steering12
Power train11
Service brakes11
Unknown or other11
Visibility10
Engine9
Vehicle speed control9

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 24, 2026 · Air bags · crash reported
The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt didn't lock and at the moment it is available to be inspected. My seat belt didn't lock so it is probably why my back fractured. I don't know if the problem has ever been reproduced or confirmed. To my knowledge no one has inspected the car. There was no warning signs or…

Apr 2, 2026 · Electronic stability control (ESC)
See attached document for complaint.

Oct 2, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system
Gas tank mounting are rusting and are not the correctly plated

Dec 16, 2024 · Steering
Hello, I would like to report that someone attempted to steal my 2010 Kia Soul. The incident occurred on […], in San Jose, CA 95111. As a result of the attempted theft, there is damage to the car’s steering wheel and ignition. Please let me know if additional information or documentation is needed to assist with this…

Feb 7, 2024 · Engine
Scanner can not communicate with the ecm/tcm U0101 code shifting issues starting issues

Soul model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2010	3	135	23	15
2011	3	194	27	5
2012	3	515	25	23
2013	3	667	22	46

Across all years, the 2014 Soul has the most complaints (903). All Kia Soul years →

Questions

Does the 2010 Kia Soul have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Kia Soul, the most recent reported on December 29, 2014 (Structure: body, roof and pillars). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Soul?: Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (24 complaints), followed by air bags (21).
How many 2010 Kia Soul complaints mention a crash or fire?: 23 of 135 complaints report a crash and 15 a fire; 19 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 24, 2026.