Buy Kia Soul Starter Motors

A starter motor (also called a starter, cranking motor, or starter assembly) spins your Kia Soul's engine fast enough to start. When you turn the key or push the button, the starter's small gear (pinion) engages the ring gear on the flywheel/flexplate and cranks the engine. See a plain-English primer here: starter (engine). (Wikipedia)

The starter has an electric motor plus a built-in solenoid (magnetic switch). The solenoid pushes the pinion into the flywheel's starter ring gear, then power flows to the motor to turn the engine. Once the engine fires, the pinion pulls back so it doesn't stay engaged.

On most Souls with gas engines, the starter bolts near the transmission "bell housing," next to the flywheel/flexplate-low on the engine, where the engine and transmission meet. (Exact placement can vary by engine and year.) Learn what a bell housing is here.

The Soul has been sold in the U.S. since the 2010 model year, with three generations: 2010-2013 (first gen), 2014-2019 (second gen), and 2020-present (third gen). Engines include 1.6L and 2.0L gas options, and some years offered a 1.6L turbo. The electric Soul EV does not use a starter motor. (Wikipedia)

Typical bad-starter signs include: a loud single click and no crank, slow cranking, or grinding when starting. But many "no start" issues are battery- or wiring-related, not the starter itself. AAA explains the common "car won't start" causes and how to tell them apart: AAA article.

Before blaming the starter, do these simple checks:

• Battery basics: a healthy, fully charged battery is around 12.6V at rest. During cranking, voltage should stay near ~9.6V at about room temperature. Big drops point to battery or cable issues. See DENSO's pro guide and a Midtronics manual note on the 9.6V cranking threshold. (DENSO, Midtronics)
• Cable/ground checks: clean and tighten battery terminals and engine/chassis grounds; excessive voltage drop (more than ~0.5V on the positive side while cranking) means resistance in cables, connections, or the solenoid. (DENSO)
• Neutral/clutch interlocks: make sure the shifter is in Park/Neutral (or the clutch is fully pressed). Safety switches can block cranking even when the starter is fine.

If there's no crank at all: check the starter/start relay and related fuses in the engine-bay box. Your exact map is in your owner's manual-find the right book here: Kia Owner's Manuals. For recent models, the 2025 Soul manual is here (PDF): 2025 Soul Owner's Manual. (Kia Owners, Dealer eProcess)

Replace the starter when you've confirmed power and grounds are good, fuses/relays are OK, the battery is charged, and you still have slow/no crank or grinding tied to the starter. If you see code P0615 (starter relay circuit), inspect the relay, wiring, and ignition/neutral-safety circuits; sometimes the relay circuit is the problem-not the starter. See OBD-Codes: P0615.

For a Kia Soul, typical nationwide pricing for starter replacement runs roughly $479-$595 (parts + labor), depending on year, engine, and shop rates. Check the model-specific estimate here: RepairPal-Kia Soul starter replacement.

Always disconnect the negative battery cable before touching the starter wiring. Keep the smart key away from the car during work on push-button models. Follow the safety steps in your owner's manual (see links above). (Dealer eProcess)

If you have a Soul EV, there is no traditional starter motor. The EV still uses a small 12-volt battery to power up control systems; if that 12-volt battery is weak, the car may not "ready on." See the Soul EV overview here: Kia Soul EV and the EV owner's manual (PDF) here: e-Soul manual. (Wikipedia, Kia)

Starters are mostly metal and are widely recycled. Auto recyclers dismantle cars and recover metals; EPA explains end-of-life vehicle recycling and reuse in this guide (PDF). Ask your installer about core returns and local recycling. EPA-Processing End-of-Life Vehicles.

• "Why your car won't start" overview (battery vs. alternator vs. starter): AAA.
• Starter basics: Starter (engine) and Starter ring gear. (Wikipedia)
• Pro testing tips (voltage drop, cranking voltage): DENSO starter troubleshooting.
• Kia manuals: Owner's Manuals & Documents.
• Recall status (enter your VIN): NHTSA recall lookup.
• Cost check: RepairPal-Kia Soul starter replacement.

If you're replacing the starter yourself, the high-level steps are: disconnect the negative battery cable; unplug the starter connector; remove the battery cable nut from the solenoid; remove the mounting bolts; drop the starter; install the new unit in reverse order; torque fasteners per service info; reconnect the battery and test. Always follow the procedures and cautions in your exact owner's manual/service info. (Dealer eProcess)

While you're there, inspect the starter relay, main battery cables, engine/chassis grounds, and the flywheel ring gear. If cranking issues persist with a good starter and battery, check the neutral safety switch (A/T) or clutch switch (M/T). Pro voltage-drop tests can quickly find hidden resistance. (DENSO)

Starter motors vary by engine (1.6L, 2.0L, 1.6T), transmission, and options. Match by VIN and build date, and confirm connector style, mounting pattern, and tooth count. For reference on generations and engines: Kia Soul.

• Battery fully charged and terminals clean/tight?
• Grounds verified good (engine to body)?
• Fuses/relays checked per manual?
• Cranking voltage ≈ 9.6V and voltage-drop within spec?
• Any start-circuit DTCs (like P0615) addressed?
  If all checks pass and the car still won't crank, the starter motor/solenoid is the likely fix. (DENSO, OBD-Codes.com)

Note: For safety or recall concerns, check your VIN at the NHTSA recall site. For repair pricing in your area, try the RepairPal estimator. For official diagrams and fuse/relay maps, use the Kia Owner's Manuals portal. (NHTSA, RepairPal.com, Kia Owners)