KNOWN FAULTS · Kia

Kia Soul (I) 1.6 CRDi common problems.

2009–2013 · Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Applies if: US bulletin for Souls built from January 2009 to October 2013; in Europe ask the dealer.

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

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.

Applies if: U-family CRDi diesel; the specific points were documented on other models with the same engine.

Weak points of the small CRDi diesels (U family) from Hyundai and KiaInjection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 CRDi diesels (U family): Rio, Venga, Soul, Stonic, Cee'd, Carens, Optima, i20, ix20, i30, i40, ix35, Tucson, Accent, Matrix
Period mentioned: Approx. 2005 onwards
Symptoms: At high mileage or with short trips: carbon in injectors and EGR, a clogged particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel and turbo; isolated cases of a stretched chain (1.7) and cracked heads (early 1.6); a clutch that wears early; on some cars, a cracked silencer (1.1) or the brake-servo vacuum pump (1.7 campaign).
Possible cause described: German guides rate these engines as robust if maintained: the faults are the typical wear of a modern diesel. Specific points: a stretched chain on some 1.7s (ix35), cracked heads cited by the TÜV on the i30 I, the 1.1 silencer (Rio III), diesel clutches at 60,000–100,000 km (Cee'd I) and a recall of the 1.7 CRDi vacuum pump (5/10/2010–30/4/2011).
Check for the garage: Drive long trips to regenerate the filter; listen to the chain when cold; test injectors and EGR; check the vacuum-pump campaign by VIN on the 1.7.
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.