# Kia Soul power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 31 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (6) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 31 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Kia Soul (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (6). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Kia Soul power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 6 | 908 | 1% | | 2016 | 5 | 826 | 1% | | 2017 | 5 | 272 | 2% | | 2018 | 1 | 220 | 0% | | 2019 | 3 | 140 | 2% | | 2020 | 4 | 388 | 1% | | 2021 | 5 | 241 | 2% | | 2023 | 1 | 54 | 2% | | 2025 | 1 | 12 | 8% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Kia Soul recalls related to the power steering warning light **[17V608000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V608000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2017-09-29): If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Soul owners report - "The power steering no longer worked. I bought the car new in 11/05/2025. I only have 1,311 miles on the car. I did have an oil change done by the dealer about a week prior and the report showed no problems. I am now very concerned about driving it even after the car would be repaired. I will say that KIA America..." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2026 - "The contact also stated that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 400." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2022 - "The manufacturer advised the dealer to replace the electric power steering module should the failure recur. The failure mileage was 53,000." -- owner of a 2021 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Soul power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (17V608000) covering 2015-2016 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Soul years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Soul model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 6 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Soul with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Kia Soul has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Soul warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-soul): 14 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-soul): 13 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-soul): 34 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-soul): 18 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-soul): 110 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-soul): 17 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Kia Soul - [Kia Soul specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-soul) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-soul Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.