Model year guide

2010 Kia Soul

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2010 Kia Soul is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 233 on record.

2010 Kia Soul — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2010 Kia Soul at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints134
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$7,556

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2010 Kia Soul recalls 3

Structure:body:roof And Pillars NHTSA Campaign #14V822000 · 29/12/2014

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.

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 · 01/04/2013

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, …

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 · 31/08/2010

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 PANE…

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…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2010 Kia Soul common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2010 Kia Soul safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2010 Kia Soul 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2010 Kia Soul MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,275

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2010 Kia Soul worth?

Low
$5,200
Typical price
$7,556
High
$9,700

From 227 comparable 2010 Kia Soul listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,375
Fuel only$11,375
Per mile$0.15

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2010 Kia Soul trims & engines on record

Trims
! · GL · Base · Sport
Engines
2.0L · 1.6L

2010 Kia Soul vehicles on record

Other Kia Soul model years

2010 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2010 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, air bags.

What is the 2010 Kia Soul safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2010 Kia Soul crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2010 Kia Soul at about 27 mpg combined (25 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2010 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2010 Kia Soul listings run roughly $5,200–$9,700, typically around $7,556 (from 227 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.