NHTSA Complaint #11629326 — 2012 KIA SOUL

The attached MDPS Flexible Coupling warranty announcement identifies "noise when turning the steering wheel" and later "especially when stopped" as the concern for which KIA would authorize a repair within warranty. The same is in the attached Technical Service Bulletin posted to your Site. Identifying noise as the concern is deceptive, the noise arises from the fact that there is loss of synchony between the steering wheel and the steering. So, while while the car is in motion and the steering wheel is held steady, the wheels and steering turn somewhat in reaction to the road surface, at times alarmingly. I first became aware of this several weeks ago but am told by another driver(my child) that it's been happening for a while. My mechanic was aware of the issue and thought there was a related recall (which proved wrong), but still suggested I seek repair at KIAs responsibility as a safety concern. After having contacted KIA Customer Service, I scheduled recall service (unelated items) with a KIA dealer and added discussion of the steering to the visit (11.25.24) through Kia Customer Service. In the course of that visit, the dealer indicated that the MDPS would continue to deteriorate and could result in the steering locking up and offered to repair at my cost. At that same time, I was on the phone with KIA seeking their responsibility and I declined the dealer's offer. Today I received an unsolicited telephone call from Kia (Jen-Escalated Case Representative 520.274.1098.) The purpose was to inform me that because I declined the dealer's offer to repair at my cost, any harm that might come from the defect is my responsibililty. Presumably, owner assumption of responsibilty is behind warranty announcement's instructing the recipient to provide the notice to new owner(s) in the event of ownership transfer. Please review this MDPS defect for consideration for safety recall. Kia knows that noise is not the concern. I am glad to allow your inspection.