2019 Kia Soul

2019 Kia Soul has an issue with the steering wheel coupling that needs to be replaced. This has been confirmed by a mechanic. There is a warranty extension on the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) rubber coupling - 10 years/100,000 miles - for the 2019 Kia Soul. For some reason, my 2019 Kia Soul is not showing up under the warranty campaign extension. I am seeking a goodwill repair by Kia as there is obviously a known issue with the steering coupling that has impacted my 2019 Kia Soul. The cost to repair is in the $650-$1,500 range.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, vibrated, and made a knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer, and it was determined that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

While driving on the freeway, last month mid to late Feb, My steering wheel started spinning in one direction,. The control arm on the right side of the vehicle came off of the car's right front wheel and I skidded to the side of the road at approximately 65 to 70 miles per hour. Fortunately, there was not an accident. The control arms were replaced and there were no further incidents. Regardless, given the multiple engine recalls and problems with the Kia Soul 2019 2.0 plus, I have no confidence in it's integrity to the safety standards set. This is not only related to the car, but mostly due to the behavior of the company in its continued efforts to otherwise resist compliance with engine replacement after my mechanic both viewed rod bearings seeing they may impose some risk. (see previous complaint)

I am writing upon instruction of Minnesota Attorney General Ellison's Office regarding my stolen Kia. Our 2019 Kia Soul was was purchased less than a year ago from a dealership. In the last year, the Kia Soul has been stolen twice. Both times we incurred significant expenses to repair the car's broken windows and disassembled steering column. We also experienced huge inconveniences to arrive at work since we were without the vehicle for over a month each time. To make matters worse, our insurance company increased our rates each time the car was stolen. I now fear the car will be simply uninsurable when the policy reups. The only support we have seen from Kia is receipt of an anti-theft steering lock ("club"). This device is worth about $25. It is an insult given the expenses we have incurred. We just got the car back from the autobody shop today. I remain very concerned about putting this car back on the street. We do not have a garage or can afford off street parking. The car is principally used by our son who lives in an apartment in Minneapolis. We have heard of many instances when the car's windows are smashed even when an anti-theft device is on the steering wheel. I believe a vehicle recall is the only fair alternative. I realize that Ellison's office is pursuing a class action suit with this goal. Please support that campaign and help us address this entirely impossible situation. If we try to sell this vehicle, we will lose nearly five thousand in value since it was purchased last year. We have already incurred about $3,000 in addition to insurance increases. Yet, I am sure we have any other option than selling it if our insurance either refuses to insure or jacks our rates even higher than they did last year. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the power steering became inoperable causing the driver to lose control of the steering and nearly crashed into a second vehicle. Moments later, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that a screw within the alternator had failed causing the alternator to malfunction. The alternator was replaced. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.