It is the second time in the last year and a half that Kia Motors is recalling Soul models due to problems in the steering system.
Kia announced that it is recalling more than 256,000 subcompact crossovers in the United States, with manufacturing dates between 2014 and 2016.
The previous recall Kia Motors faced was heftier, however. During the summer of 2014, Kia sent out a call back order for a number of around 52,000 Soul vehicles. The recall of June 2014 targeted vehicles assembled from July 21, 2013, to Jan. 17, 2014.
Even if those cars had a different manufacturing date from the ones recalled in 2015, the technical issues were identical.
On Nov. 6, 2015, Kia posted the report that details its recent recall on the web page of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to car engineers from Kia, the problem is that a part of the steering assembly called the pinion plug might loosen up so much that it comes out. The consequence can be that the pinion gear could separate, leading to a loss of steering capabilities.
Kia mentioned that the problem happened due to a manufacturing error. In the documents filed with the NHTSA, the automaker underlines that the adhesive used to hold the steering pinion gear to the steering gear assembly may be unreliable and must be replaced to ensure traffic safety.
A total number of 256,459 Soul and Soul EV subcompact crossovers check the criteria for the recall. The affected vehicles now involved in the new recall were built between Jan. 18, 2014, and Sept. 30, 2015.
Luckily, there were no reported injuries or accidents in relation to the pinion plug issue. The manufacturing company affirmed that the recall happened after five warranty claims underlined the pinion plug's potential problems.
Kia said that notifications to owners will start arriving on Dec. 22. According to the South Korean car manufacturer, its dealers will replace the affected systems free of charge and even install a set bolt for increased stability.
The sales of Kia's Soul crossover have dropped by 1.1 percent since last year. In October, the number of Kia Souls across the U.S. was about 124,929 units. Kia's best-selling vehicle in the United States is the Optima sedan, the four-door model, followed by the Kia Soul in terms of popularity.
