The Kia Soul regularly suffers from electrical faults such as defective central locking, windows that do not work and batteries that fail prematurely. These problems are often caused by wiring damage, software errors or faulty electrical components. Uncertainty about the cause and solution makes the issue frustrating for owners. In this article you will discover which electrical faults are most common in the Kia Soul and what you can do about them.
Central locking Kia Soul faulty causes
Owners of the Kia Soul from the years 2010–2013 regularly report problems with the central locking. The doors do not open or close properly, or the remote control works unreliably. Some owners experience these issues after only 30,000 to 40,000 kilometres.
Possible causes of central locking faults are defective door lock actuators (small electric motors that operate the locks), faults in the control unit or corrosion of electrical contacts due to moisture. When moisture is involved, the contact points are affected, preventing signals from getting through properly. This can lead to unpredictable behaviour of the locking system.
Preventive maintenance helps to avoid these problems. Treat door frames regularly with maintenance products and inspect electrical contacts every 20,000 kilometres for moisture. Clean and protect contacts against corrosion. Specialist equipment is needed for diagnosis, so consult an authorised service centre if the central locking is showing faults.
‘ Cables based on soya oil are attractive to rodents, which can lead to multiple electrical faults. ’
Why windows do not work on a Kia Soul
Problems with electric windows occur in various generations of the Kia Soul. The windows do not respond to the switches, move slowly or stop halfway. These faults are caused by defective window motors, damaged wiring or malfunctions in the control module (electronic control unit for the windows).
On the Kia Soul, rodents can damage the electrical cables. Cables based on soya oil are attractive to rodents, which can lead to multiple electrical faults. This is particularly a problem in areas with many rodents. Regularly check the wiring for bite damage.
Another cause is corrosion. Moisture entering through poorly sealed door panels attacks the contact points and causes faults in window operation. In addition, defective switches or the window motors themselves are often to blame. Have this checked by a specialist with diagnostic equipment to determine the exact cause.
Solving electrical battery problems Kia Soul
The 12V battery of the Kia Soul, especially in the e-Soul variant, can discharge unexpectedly, preventing the vehicle from starting. Users report batteries with a voltage of only 4.9 volts after several months of non-use. This problem occurs even though the main battery is sufficiently charged.
Causes of 12V battery discharge
The most likely causes are doors that are not fully closed during charging, which prevents the automatic topping-up of the 12V battery. Electronic devices such as OBD dongles can also draw power continuously and discharge the battery. A software issue in the pre-programmed charging logic also contributes to discharge.
For Soul EV owners it is important to close all doors fully during charging. Remove external electrical devices that are not essential, and store the car key away from the vehicle or wrap it in aluminium foil to prevent unwanted signal transmission. Kia often replaces faulty 12V batteries free of charge under the 2‑year warranty.
Software problems in the battery management system
A critical issue concerns the battery management system of the Soul EV. Under certain conditions the BMS may fail to detect abnormal voltage conditions in battery cells. This weakness in the short-circuit monitoring logic increases the risk of thermal incidents, especially in the event of a short circuit.
Kia has recalled around 23,000 Soul EV vehicles worldwide from 2014–2018 because of this BMS defect. The solution consists of software updates to the battery management system at authorised workshops. In some vehicles, the BMS unit together with two wiring looms has to be completely replaced. A software update takes about 30 minutes, while a full replacement takes around 2.5 hours of workshop time.
Check whether your vehicle is registered for this recall. If in doubt, contact an authorised Kia workshop to check whether this update has already been carried out.
‘ This poses a risk because the vehicle can roll away unexpectedly. ’
Electric parking brake not working correctly
Due to a software error in the transmission drive unit, the electric parking brake sometimes does not engage. This happens when drive readiness is activated. This poses a risk because the vehicle can roll away unexpectedly. Kia has recalled 39,606 Soul EV vehicles worldwide because of this issue.
The solution is a software update in the transmission drive unit. This update takes about half an hour at an authorised workshop. However, allow up to an hour and a half total workshop time, including vehicle reception and handover. Have this update carried out if your vehicle is affected by the recall in order to prevent safety risks.
Problems with headlights and sensors
In certain 2014 and 2015 Kia Soul models, headlamp electrical contactors can overheat. This leads to flickering and random shutdowns due to poor electrical connections. The headlights can suddenly fail while driving, which is a safety issue.
Rain and light sensors also show faults due to electrical problems. These sensors depend on a stable power supply and good wiring connections. Moisture, corrosion or damaged cabling causes malfunctions, preventing the sensors from operating correctly. Have faulty headlights and sensors checked by a specialist to determine the exact cause.
Preventive measures for electrical faults
Regular preventive maintenance significantly reduces electrical faults. Carry out the following checks:
- Inspect electrical contacts every 20,000 kilometres for moisture and corrosion
- Treat door frames regularly with maintenance products
- Check wiring for damage caused by rodents
- Make sure doors are fully closed during charging on electric variants
- Remove unnecessary electronic devices that draw power
Register your vehicle for recall reminders and contact an authorised Kia workshop immediately if you notice signs of electrical faults. Early diagnosis prevents greater damage and higher repair costs.
‘ Minor problems can escalate into more serious faults that are more expensive to repair. ’
When to go to the workshop for diagnosis
Some electrical problems require professional diagnosis with specialist equipment. Navigation systems that do not respond, general malfunctions or issues that cannot be explained by simple causes call for extensive investigation. An authorised workshop has diagnostic equipment that can read fault codes and identify software problems.
Do not wait too long to have electrical faults checked. Minor problems can escalate into more serious faults that are more expensive to repair. If you are unsure about the cause or if self-help has not been effective, make an appointment with an authorised service centre.
The Kia Soul has known electrical vulnerabilities, but with the right knowledge and maintenance these problems are manageable. On the Carnews website you will find much more information about problems with various car brands and practical solutions. Discover more tips and background information to help you keep your car in optimal condition.
Frequently asked questions
The most common electrical faults on the Kia Soul are problems with the high‑voltage battery management system (especially on the Soul EV), failure or discharge of the 12V battery, faults in the electric parking brake and malfunctions in the central locking. In addition, there are issues with headlights, infotainment/navigation and wiring gnawed by rodents. Some of these faults are strongly specific to certain model years, particularly the BMS and parking brake problems on early EV models (around 2014–2018) and the central locking problems on older model years around 2010–2013. Many of these issues have been the subject of specific recalls and software updates per production period.
Symptoms of an incipient electrical fault include flickering or dimmer lights, poorly functioning central locking or accessories, unexplained error messages and intermittent failure of systems such as navigation or the electric parking brake. A driver can check for themselves whether all doors close properly, whether there are any additional power consumers (such as OBD dongles) connected, the condition of visible cables and connectors for damage or corrosion, and whether lights and other electrical functions operate consistently. An unusually often discharged 12V battery or starting problems are also a warning sign. If symptoms persist or increase, it is sensible to have the car read immediately in a workshop.
Possible causes of electrical problems on the Kia Soul include defects in the battery management system (BMS), discharge or failure of the 12V battery, software errors (such as in the electric parking brake or transmission unit), problems in the central locking and poor or corroded electrical contacts or cable damage. These can be prevented or limited by having regular maintenance carried out on the electrical system, registering the car and having recalls/updates carried out immediately, protecting electrical contacts against moisture and corrosion and removing unnecessary power consumers (such as OBD dongles). In the event of starting or charging problems it helps to ensure all doors are properly closed during charging, to have the 12V battery tested or replaced and, if necessary, to have the BMS software updated. With symptoms such as failing lights, poorly functioning locks or malfunctioning infotainment/navigation, it is advisable to visit an authorised Kia workshop with diagnostic equipment to have cables, connectors and modules checked and, if necessary, repaired or replaced.
On average, the costs for diagnosing electrical faults on a Kia Soul at a main dealer or specialist workshop are around €80–€150 in labour (1–1.5 hours for reading and testing). The actual repair costs vary widely, but for many common problems (such as the 12V battery, door locks/central locking, software updates) they are often roughly between €150 and €600, depending on parts and labour hours. Several recalls are known, including for the high‑voltage battery management system (BMS) on Soul EV models (around 2014–2018) and for a software error in the transmission drive unit, which may mean the electric parking brake does not work properly. These recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the dealer.
Yes, continuing to drive with an electrical fault can have consequences for safety, for example through failure of essential systems such as braking, steering or the battery system. In the case of BMS or high‑voltage problems, there may be a risk of overheating or fire in extreme cases. In addition, continuing to drive with an untreated electrical fault can cause extra wear or consequential damage to other components (such as cables, actuators or the charging system). It is therefore advisable to have the vehicle checked as soon as possible by an authorised Kia workshop and not to ignore the fault.