Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE10030 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 08/12/2010 | 12/14/2010 | Steering Shaft Separation | ||
| The office of defects investigation (odi) is aware of a single complaint on the subject vehicles that alleges the hand wheel became mechanically de-coupled from the road wheels when the intermediate steering shaft universal joint separated from the upper steering column.it appears that the intermediate steering shaft in the complaint vehicle was disassembled and then improperly re-assembled with the universal joint not fully engaged with the upper steering column's splined shaft and the pinch bolt was not secured in the retaining groove when fastened.the component supplier has added additional fool-proofing measures to the assembly process to further reduce the likelihood of improper assembly.kia inspected a total of 3,695 subject vehicles and steering column assemblies at the component supplier, the vehicle assembly plant in korea and at us ports in the weeks immediately following the opening of this pursuit and found no evidence of improper assembly.kia also conducted a service action (sa057) to inspect another 169 subject vehicles (out of 336) manufactured on the same day as the complaint vehicle and a total of 594 subject vehicles (out of 1,747) manufactured during the same week as the complaint vehicle and found no issues to report.an additional 342 subject vehicles outside the scope of the service action were also inspected and again kia found no evidence of improper assembly.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. | ||||||
| PE10030 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 08/12/2010 | Steering Shaft Decoupled From Hand Wheel | |||
| The office of defects investigation has received one complaint on a model year 2010 kia soul vehicle that alleges the steering shaft de-coupled from the hand wheel resulting in a complete loss of steering capability.in addition, the de-coupled steering shaft reportedly fell into a position that interfered with brake pedal application.the complaint vehicle had approximately 2 months and 4,300 miles of service at the time of the alleged incident.odi is very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system.a preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||
| PE10030 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 08/12/2010 | 12/14/2010 | Steering Shaft Separation | ||
| The office of defects investigation (odi) is aware of a single complaint on the subject vehicles that alleges the hand wheel became mechanically de-coupled from the road wheels when the intermediate steering shaft universal joint separated from the upper steering column.it appears that the intermediate steering shaft in the complaint vehicle was disassembled and then improperly re-assembled with the universal joint not fully engaged with the upper steering column's splined shaft and the pinch bolt was not secured in the retaining groove when fastened.the component supplier has added additional fool-proofing measures to the assembly process to further reduce the likelihood of improper assembly.kia inspected a total of 3,695 subject vehicles and steering column assemblies at the component supplier, the vehicle assembly plant in korea and at us ports in the weeks immediately following the opening of this pursuit and found no evidence of improper assembly.kia also conducted a service action (sa057) to inspect another 169 subject vehicles (out of 336) manufactured on the same day as the complaint vehicle and a total of 594 subject vehicles (out of 1,747) manufactured during the same week as the complaint vehicle and found no issues to report.an additional 342 subject vehicles outside the scope of the service action were also inspected and again kia found no evidence of improper assembly.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. | ||||||
| PE10030 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 08/12/2010 | Steering Shaft Decoupled From Hand Wheel | |||
| The office of defects investigation has received one complaint on a model year 2010 kia soul vehicle that alleges the steering shaft de-coupled from the hand wheel resulting in a complete loss of steering capability.in addition, the de-coupled steering shaft reportedly fell into a position that interfered with brake pedal application.the complaint vehicle had approximately 2 months and 4,300 miles of service at the time of the alleged incident.odi is very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system.a preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 02/10/2011 | 11258 | ||
| Kia soul steering assembly failure (temporary) when turning the 2010 kia soul sharply (as far as it will go either right or left) and attempting to straighten the wheel quickly after turning results in the entire steering wheel tightening to where you cannot turn it for a couple seconds as though it locks up. also, when idle, turning the steering wheel results in a tugging sensation from the power steering pump that vibrates through the steering wheel. | |||
| 09/15/2010 | 4000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. while driving approximately 5 mph the steering wheel was stuck in the turning position and the vehicle stalled. the contact turned the vehicle back on and was able to drive normally. the failure would occur intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician could not diagnose the problem because it could not be duplicated. the manufacturer was contacted and stated they would work something out as long as the contact does not involve a lawyer. the approximate failure mileage was 4,000. ds | |||
| 05/01/2009 | |||
| All interior doors are nicked and scratched especially the front doors. the interior of my car looks like a ten year old car and this is a 2010 soul. called kia many times and they just continue to tell me they are working on it. i have had my car for a year and a half already! i want the panels replaced with a higher quality product. also have noticed when i drive on rough road or hit bumps or holes the car seems to loose control a bit. like it skips across the road and i can't stop it. i can't seem to steer it for that brief second. p | |||
| 10/05/2010 | 2200 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. while driving approximately 10-15 mph making a left turn the front wheels did not straighten out and the vehicle crash into another vehicle. she steered so the wheels would straighten but they did not. the vehicle had damages to the left side of her vehicle. one passenger had injuries to her hand. a police report was filed. the vehicle has not been repaired. she was unable to provide a vin. the failure and current mileage was 2200. vwb | |||
| 07/31/2010 | 700 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. the contact stated that the driver was driving at approximately 45 mph during rainy weather when the vehicle suddenly began traveling off the road to the right. the vehicle crashed into a tree where it stopped. the driver was injured and a police report was filed. the vehicle was totaled. the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. the current and failure mileages were approximately 700-bk | |||
| 04/15/2009 | 300 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. while driving approximately 15-20 mph pulling off from a side street he engaged the accelerator and stated the steer wheel pulls away from him. he stated that he has to hold on to the steer wheel to get control of the vehicle. the failure only occurs when making left or right turns when accelerating. the vehicle has not been taken to an authorized dealer or local mechanic. the failure mileage was 300 and the current mileage was 9,500. vwb | |||
| 07/31/2010 | 700 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. the contact stated that the driver was driving at approximately 45 mph during rainy weather when the vehicle suddenly began traveling off the road to the right. the vehicle crashed into a tree where it stopped. the driver was injured and a police report was filed. the vehicle was totaled. the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. the current and failure mileages were approximately 700-bk | |||
| 04/15/2009 | 300 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. while driving approximately 15-20 mph pulling off from a side street he engaged the accelerator and stated the steer wheel pulls away from him. he stated that he has to hold on to the steer wheel to get control of the vehicle. the failure only occurs when making left or right turns when accelerating. the vehicle has not been taken to an authorized dealer or local mechanic. the failure mileage was 300 and the current mileage was 9,500. vwb | |||
| 07/31/2010 | 700 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. the contact stated that the driver was driving at approximately 45 mph during rainy weather when the vehicle suddenly began traveling off the road to the right. the vehicle crashed into a tree where it stopped. the driver was injured and a police report was filed. the vehicle was totaled. the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. the current and failure mileages were approximately 700-bk | |||
| 04/15/2009 | 300 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. while driving approximately 15-20 mph pulling off from a side street he engaged the accelerator and stated the steer wheel pulls away from him. he stated that he has to hold on to the steer wheel to get control of the vehicle. the failure only occurs when making left or right turns when accelerating. the vehicle has not been taken to an authorized dealer or local mechanic. the failure mileage was 300 and the current mileage was 9,500. vwb | |||
| 07/31/2010 | 700 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. the contact stated that the driver was driving at approximately 45 mph during rainy weather when the vehicle suddenly began traveling off the road to the right. the vehicle crashed into a tree where it stopped. the driver was injured and a police report was filed. the vehicle was totaled. the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. the current and failure mileages were approximately 700-bk | |||
| 04/15/2009 | 300 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2010 kia soul. while driving approximately 15-20 mph pulling off from a side street he engaged the accelerator and stated the steer wheel pulls away from him. he stated that he has to hold on to the steer wheel to get control of the vehicle. the failure only occurs when making left or right turns when accelerating. the vehicle has not been taken to an authorized dealer or local mechanic. the failure mileage was 300 and the current mileage was 9,500. vwb | |||