Soul I: dry knock (“clack”) in the steering wheel when moving it at a standstill, from the electric steering's flexible coupling

Engine / equipment

Kia Soul (I, AM), electric power steering (MDPS)

Period mentioned

Built from 8 January 2009 to 2 October 2013 (US bulletin)

Symptoms

With the car stationary, moving the wheel left and right gives a dry knock from the steering that is felt in the wheel. On the move it is barely noticeable.

Possible cause described

Kia explains in a US technical bulletin (CHA074, revised in 2019) that the flexible coupling of the electric power steering motor wears prematurely. Only that coupling is replaced, with an improved one.

Check for the garage

Ask a Kia dealer or a trusted garage to check whether the knock comes from the steering motor and, if so, to replace the flexible coupling with the improved one. If you also notice play, or the steering gets heavy or catches, stop driving and call for assistance.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database