NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Kia Soul[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with structure and air bags close behind[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 24 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe smoke and heat coming from door panels, often near the speakers.
- Structure. 21 complaints[3]. Owners describe interior panels that mark up very easily and glass that chips or cracks.
- Air Bags. 21 complaints[4]. Owners describe crashes where the air bags stayed shut, and some of those stories include injuries.
- Brakes. 15 complaints[7]. Owners describe a pedal that felt hard to press and a parking brake that stuck.
- Engine. 14 complaints[8].
- Steering. 12 complaints[9].
- Power Train. 11 complaints[10].
- Unknown Or Other. 11 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Soul is necessarily included.
- Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars (14V822), December 2014. About 95,314 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch (13V114), April 2013. About 980,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Electrical System › Wiring (10V388), August 2010. About 35,185 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[6] | 26 / 31 / 28 | $2,400 |
| Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 26 / 31 / 28 | $2,400 |
| Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 24 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 24 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[18].
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2010 Kia Soul with 1.6L 4-cylinder[19] | 124 hp |
| 2010 Kia Soul with 2.0L 4-cylinder[20] | 142 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2010 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 | 3 |
| 2011 | 194 | 3 |
| 2012 | 514 | 3 |
| 2013 | 667 | 3 |
| 2014 | 904 | 5 |
| 2015 | 908 | 7 |
| 2016 | 823 | 5 |
| 2017 | 290 | 3 |
| 2018 | 222 | 3 |
| 2019 | 140 | 3 |
| 2020 | 387 | 1 |
| 2021 | 238 | 2 |
| 2022 | 94 | 1 |
| 2023 | 54 | 4 |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Soul show 135 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010[5]. Among the 16 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 11 have more[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (12) and the most are for 2015 (908)[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2010 Soul?
The 2010 Kia Soul has a modest complaint file, with 135 reports in total[1]. The electrical system leads the list, and owners tie it to door panels[2]. Structure and air bags follow with the same count, and the air bag stories deserve a careful read[3][4]. Recalls exist for this year, and the page lists them in the Recalls section[5]. These are unverified owner reports, so check any car you are considering in person.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Soul?
- Owners filed 135 complaints in total[1]. The electrical system, structure and air bags are the biggest groups[2][3][4].
- Does the 2010 Kia Soul have recalls?
- Yes, this model year has recalls[5]. See the Recalls section of this page for the full list.
- What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Soul get?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2010 Kia Soul reliable?
- The file holds 135 owner complaints[1]. Read the problems section to see which groups come up, starting with the electrical system[2].
- Is 2010 the best year for the Kia Soul?
- See the by-year comparison section of this page to compare model years side by side.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Soul
Compare all model years of the Kia Soul
Similar cars from 2010: station wagons
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Kia Soul (23 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the air bags component group (16 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Soul model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 15 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,050). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V822, filed December 29, 2014: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V114, filed April 1, 2013: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V388, filed August 31, 2010: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2010 Kia Soul with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 124 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2010 Kia Soul with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 142 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL 1.6L: length 162 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,623 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL 2.0L: length 162 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,899 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov