The Lemon Index2010 Kia Soul.
The 2010 Kia Soul is about average by owner complaints: 77 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 104, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 26 to 28 mpg combined. The best Kia Soul year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 135 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Soul year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 72K miles on the car (105 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 18K–86K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 0K–15K miles
Recalls 3
- body structure 2014
A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
- lights 2013
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.
- electrical 2010
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 74 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
- Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector…
- Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition: cylinder…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires2019–2021
- ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires2018–2019
- ClosedSteering shaft separation2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I have a 2010 Kia Soul that the interior door panels scratch very easily. Primary issue come about as a result of the seat belt striking the door as it retracts.
2010 Kia Soul owner · NHTSA complaint 10321290
More owner reports
Shattered hatchback glass. I was just getting in my2010 Kia Soul after work. I opened driver side , sat in, as I closed driver door the hatchback glass simply shattered and fell apart. I was in total shock .
NHTSA complaint 10410276
My car is 2 yrs old it has over 15 chips and cracks in windshield. Dealership will not replace windshield.
NHTSA complaint 10477423
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Kia Soul reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 104; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Soul year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2010 Kia Soul problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (25%), visibility (13%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Soul have?
3 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Soul get?
26 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Kia Soul problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,000 and 72,800 miles. The middle report was at 20,000 miles, from 105 complaints.
Does the 2010 Kia Soul have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Kia Soul cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Kia Soul have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Soul year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works