2010 kia soul battery replacement

This was more of a job than I thought it would be. The battery is easy to get to and remove the terminals on, but would not lift out of the car. I came in and did a search and found ONE video from a guy doing the same job. God Bless him for sharing it. I watched his video "almost 40 minute video" and thought I'd see if I could condense what he did and show at least going back in with the battery. I did my best to show what you needed to do the job and where the bolts and such live so I'm thinking it might be of some help for other Soul owners. The car was purchased new in June of 2009 and has 91+ thousand miles on it. I removed the original battery today and it still had enough juice to start the car but was down to about half capacity on cold cranking amps. Other than consumables we have not had to do anything to the car other than the every 35k miles transmission fluid replacement. It's been a great little car and I've suggested the same model to several friends.
The video I credit for helping me figure out what needed to be done.
• 2010 Kia Soul Battery ...
Go hit the like button on his video and if you would click on the ads on both his and my video. Every little bit helps.

[@adrianachristian7451]

Thanks so very much for posting. What I thought would be a simple task turned into a nightmare until I viewed your video. Thanks again!

[@user-mm8fz5kh9o]

This is the exact information I needed! Thank you!

[@kevingaddis6656]

Thanks for the confirmation! Like others, that battery was just sitting RIGHT THERE! I was flummoxed when it resisted removal, and I started taking stuff apart, looking for the invisible tie-down. Still, I feel lucky because 1) you kept me from pulling the entire compartment apart and, 2) New cars hide the battery in all sorts of expensive places! My 2010 Soul has 230,000 miles and I drive it to work every day. I've never crashed it but by now it looks like a demolition derby car!

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for the view and comment. My wife put 17k trouble free miles on hers before we traded it for a Miata. That Soul was the best car we've ever had.

[@globaltravel5218]

This helped tremendously.. I knew the minute I pulled on the battery, some other bolt was holding it.. Just didn't know which ones. Thanks for the post!

[@777Hartung]

Exactly the directions I needed. Made replacing the battery in my 2010 Kia Soul, a breeze.

[@itsmebigd]

Thanks so much! I've got exactly the same model/color. Tried to lift out battery and nearly wrenched my back. I'm looking all around for hold-down bolts and couldn't find them. Saw your video, and had it out in about 5 minutes. Good job!

[@ndcouey70]

Appreciate the view and comment. Glad the video was of some help.

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

Before my stroke, I worked on my own 1962 Rambler. (This was in '82) I loved that bucket! Had enough room to fit my arm where ever under the hood it needed to fit. No battery cage box there, no siree!, just a plate with a bracket on top. Those were the good old days, eh? Anyway...nicely done!

[@ndcouey70]

Yup, my old 1963 Chevy truck, you could actually stand inside the engine compartment and work on. The new cars waste no space at all. I miss the simple, straightforward stuff a bit myself.

[@stevenartw]

Thanks Neil- you are right,, it was a bugger,,, but I did it with your help! My Dad always taught us how to work on our cars but he has passed on and now these new cars are NOT easy to work on. He would be as grateful for your help as I am! Much appreciation!

[@ndcouey70]

Steven Watson Thanks so much for the view and comment. No lie, things used to be a lot easier to work on and less complicated. I have taken way more out of the youtube pool than I have put into it. My dad passed 10 years ago and I wish he'd taught me half of what he knew about cars.

[@EpicRide2]

Thank you so much! Your video helped me make this project so much easier on my wife's Kia. I scraped some knuckles but got it done. I really appreciate it!

[@sleepytimestation]

Thank you so much! I was just about to head out and change the battery and I had the thought of "this might end up being more complicated than my old car..." Good thing I decided to look it up before just diving in!

[@aelaan12]

Thanks for the video Neil, this really helped me and replaced the battery in less than 10 minutes.

[@Saint-Jimmy]

Thanks for this, friend! I knew it couldn't just be my lack of muscles!

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for the view and comment. Glad the vid was of some help to you. Great little cars, just an odd design on the battery retention.

[@soblesseddys]

Thank you for your thorough explanation! It was sooo helpful!

[@jamc9459]

Aloha, after watching this.....and with the proper ratchet extension, it took me 13 min. I did it one other time but it had been years. Thx again. 12mm socket, 12" extension and it'll be like falling off a Korean log. Lol

[@matthewmckinnon1133]

Thank You!! You saved me a ton of time, knocked it out in 20 Minutes!!

[@ndcouey70]

Matthew McKinnon Thanks so much for taking time to comment and of course for your view. Glad you got it done.

[@hey.hombre]

Great video. Thanks I just did my wife's car. Tools: 12mm socket, long extension, ratchet and 10mm combination wrench or socket. I'm going to put a small baggy with tools needed in the "trunk". Oh, going with a magnetic socket. There's cubby holes below that a bolt can be dropped into. Going with 1/4" drive.

[@theblackarchiebunker2558]

Thanks for the video, I was about to set the car on 🔥

[@ndcouey70]

Brother I know the feeling. Thanks for the view and comment.

[@paulrenteria9417]

Appreciate the video... Helped lots, was struggling before I watched this video lol

[@christopherparsons5990]

Thank you so much for making this video. It helped me tremendously.

[@JoJackFirePlans]

Thanks soooooo much

[@frankpavan7865]

Thanks alot. You saved me from having my wife's car being stuck on drive way for another day.

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for the view and comment Frank. Glad the video was of some help.

[@geraldjewel2125]

thanks for posting this. I ran out of cuss words to yell at the engineers behind this awful design!!! your video was short and sweet. also, I will sell this car (or just give at away) before I ever change the battery again!!!

[@MrFooddestroyer]

Appreciate the video. Had to laugh at myself at the damn near pulling up the car part as i was pulling hard on that thing. 2012 and the video worked great

[@cynthiaclarke4905]

Thank you.Just did my 2010. Glad I saw your vid, would not have been able to do it myself otherwise.

[@ndcouey70]

+cynthia clarke Thanks for the view and comment. Glad the video was of some help.

[@leticiamahoney2284]

Thanks!! This was perfect! Also left a thank you to the link you mentioned!

[@ndcouey70]

Glad it was of some help, and thanks for taking time to comment.

[@LonnyMacDougall]

Quick. To the point. Great job! Thanks.

[@Eclipse1Worlds]

It's the same for the 2012. I was pulling for several minutes and it wouldn't budge. Now, I know why... Thanks!

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for taking time to comment. Glad the video was of some help.

[@bartadkins3444]

You just saved me from a big ass ache. Thanks.

[@ndcouey70]

Bart Adkins Glad I could help Bart. Thanks for the view and for taking time out to leave me some kind words.

[@eduardohernandez6417]

Thanks for your video was really helpful!😅

[@dittotoo]

Thanks man, you saved me some headache

[@sairamos2210]

Thanks alot for this video mine just took a crap after 3 years and I'm like what the heck now lol. Looked up your video and bam came right out your awsome.

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for the view and kind words man. No lie, I broke the handle off the factory battery trying to pull it out after removing the terminals. I gave credit to the other fella that did a video on it, his video was rather long and he disconnected a lot of stuff that could just be moved out of the way so I did my own video.

[@jasonpeeters]

Thank you! Trying to figure it out by looking at it closely got me nowhere but frustrated. It was a piece of cake after seeing this... computer clips and all!

[@ndcouey70]

+Peter Golbitz Thanks for taking time to comment and glad the video was of some help.

[@michaelh8268]

Saved me a BUNCH of time! Keep the vids coming!

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for the view and comment. Glad the video was of some help

[@richardmotley2810]

Good vid! Helped out a lot! Luckily I had no trouble doing it. Thx again.

[@MrTriple3]

Good video. Short and to the point. I went through the same process when my wife's car's battery died. I couldn't figure out why the battery refused to budge. Frustrating!

[@toosexy7955]

My Soninlaw did the same thing, his wife googled it & told him about the screws, he got out the battery but now my Radio says THUMP all the time...NOW WHAT??

[@susandoublestein7736]

Thank you! 🤦🏻‍♀️ And God Bless you that was Soooooo! much help!

[@ndcouey70]

Thank you for the view, comment, and kind words. Glad the video was of some help.

[@DavidHendrickse]

Absolute life saver video. Thanks 👍

[@bobzilla4881]

Your video helped me out a lot. Thanks for posting it.

[@ndcouey70]

+Bob Zilla Thanks for the view and comment. Glad the video was of some help to you.

[@Redbirds1100]

Cool!! I myself am no mechanic, I would probably end up buying a new car. God Bless Doug

[@ndcouey70]

LOL Doug, you just need to learn a little about wrenching on them. I've saved enough money doing my own repairs to buy a new car. "but I spent it all on preps" :-)

[@GingerSinger248]

Great video. Informative and helped me tremendously thank you

[@martineaime8342]

Oooooooo snap! Should of watched this first would of save so much time. Thanks.

[@PigglesMcTootie]

Thank you!!!! Nice succinct explanation

[@warwicklambertcom]

Very helpful.....thought I had better check because I was about to get the pry bar because it was not budging. You might mention that you need to re set a couple of things afterwards (see manual "battery section")....clock and something else. Speaking of the manual....I would have thought they would have mentioned it was attached to the computer.

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for the view and comment. I suppose a lot is lost in translation from Korean and doesn't make it to the manual, but there are some glaring omissions in my opinion. I no longer have the car, it was my wife's work car and gave us 160k trouble free miles, and I would be happily buy another if we needed a small vehicle capable of hauling stuff. Glad you didn't use the pry bar. I broke the handle off the factory battery tugging on it. :-)

[@harrellkimes1567]

Thanks man I had no idea

[@jeepung4015]

You're a savior! But mannn did I have a hard time aligning those 2 screws behind the battery back into it's hole/socket...

[@ndcouey70]

+Jeep Ung Appreciate the view and kind words. Those bolts in the back are a bit of a pain as when you can see them you can't get a hand on them, and when you get your hand down there you can't see them. Really not the best way to secure a battery, but other than that I love the car.

[@jeepung4015]

+Neil Couey Wish we can say the same with ours...horrible MPG...coil spring broke 2 pieces (we're not putting the car through torture)...heater core was replaced (under warranty)...gas tank has issues (gun with click thinking tank is full)...door handles broke 2x...

[@moniquerealivasquez454]

Thank you so much for this!

[@gregsmith3289]

Great job, bro.

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks Greg

[@Msifan741]

Ty it worked

[@pulpretro]

Wow. Very helpful and much appreciated.

[@carlosaceves5493]

Thanks for making this tutorial.

[@danedewaard8215]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ndcouey70]

Appreciate the view and kind words. Glad the video was of some help to you.

[@papasplace2]

One of these days when I meet some of the engineers that design these new cars/trucks I am going to beat the livin daylight out of him/her. They have no regard for doing things the simple way. When I replaced the transmission in Gravy's Blazer it took me weeks! Take care

[@ndcouey70]

Papa I think there will be plenty of us right there with cameras and bail money. Worst job I ever tackled was a heater core replacement on a Mercury Cougar. "late 80's model" Second worst was the electric door lock on my Land Rover. Things used to be a lot easier and have been purposely complicated just to piss me off I think. :-)

[@azdesertdog]

thanks man great video. right to the point

[@ndcouey70]

+azdesertdog Appreciate the view and kind words.

[@bigjohn20081983]

I kinda like those little souls they have alot more room in them then they look like and after getting to drive a couple after reposing them they have more pep than you would think they do. I think the 2 bolt in the back kinda makes the box squeeze the battery and hold it firm in place but I miss the old days of just undoing battery temanals and snatching it out or even a simple battery hold down bar. Then chargers and a lot of newer cars are getting where the battery is in the trunk now.

[@ndcouey70]

Those little Kia Souls are a really practical vehicle. It's like a small van if you lay the seats down, can haul 4 adults with plenty of leg room, doesn't feel like you are dragging your butt on the ground with low seats, and they are as you noticed not under-powered. I'd buy another one after owning this one. The plate in the back has a small lip on it that holds the battery down which is what took me so long to line up when going back with the bolts.

[@bigjohn20081983]

I must admit of all the cars I repoed so far my favorite is the newer dodge chargers they haul ass I must admit I was playing in one I repoed ( even talked the key from they guy that why I got to drive it) it scared me but I found out why later he rigged a NOS system up that armed when you turned the key on and sprayed when you put pedal to floor

[@tomhogan9644]

Thanks so much!!!

[@xReallyBuffx]

Thank you so much, just stopped me from doing something silly.

[@ndcouey70]

+Dawn Carson Thanks for the view and comment. Glad the video was of some help.

[@RobReinhardt]

Thank you, Thank you! I love this car, but this was a ridiculous design decision on Kia's part.

[@ndcouey70]

+Rob Reinhardt Appreciate the view and comment. I totally agree, the car is great but some of the engineering will make you scratch your head.

[@BAMthisHOE007]

I almost pulled my back out trying to get the battery out! LMAO thanks for this man

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks for taking time to comment, glad the video was of some help.

[@philippianstamps2874]

Thanks brother !

[@MichaelFelton_2]

Thank you sir

[@MichaelFelton_2]

I was fighting the kia too

[@shobud7561]

Great vedio.

[@Rethman01]

Thanks, big help!

[@ndcouey70]

Michael Rethman Thanks for the view and comment. Sorry I'm so late thanking you I have not had much time to manage my account lately. Glad you found the video of some help.

[@erwinmosby915]

Thk Uuuu Sir!!!

[@theresacrisafulli431]

good job. thanks for the info

[@ndcouey70]

Thanks so much for the view and for taking time to leave a comment, glad the video was of some help to you.

[@ozmo308]

NOTE: You are supposed to remove the negative wire first and attach it last !!,, attaching the positive last can cause a small spike and spark that can blow out computer parts. Be careful !!

[@ndcouey70]

Good call Oscar. I knew better, but was a little flustered that the video was taking too long and just buttoned ip up as fast as I could. You are 100% correct. Thanks for taking time to comment and help others out there.

[@KCRxKCR]

Good video

[@rchopp]

I never heard you cuss once so I know now it was an easy job..lol Engineers what were they thinking. Take care

[@ndcouey70]

Had I done a video of me initially trying to remove that battery you'd of heard some cussing.

[@ShellbieB]

Well now we know that, not just anyone can take off with my battery.

[@Buckrun11]

Is that part on the back to hold the battery in the battery basket? Does it really need held in? Just thinking if there was a way to move that thing to the rear just enough so the battery would clear. Save you the trouble next time. But I guess if you know the trick it isn't a big deal.

[@ndcouey70]

Uncle Buck I think it could remove the piece, elongate the mounting holes, and possibly get enough clearance to remove the battery but would need to bungee cord it to keep it from moving. There is nothing on the front side securing it. Not a bad idea at all though. When I first undid the terminals I yanked up on the battery and tore the handle off of it.

[@jennyrich8802]

Thanks!

[@teayne773]

Thanks so much

[@ndcouey70]

Tyler Wright Thanks for the view and comment. Sorry it took me so long to say thanks. Glad the video was of some help.

[@CJaySnyder]

Thx

[@pa6308]

Yes, thanks for the video. This info is not even in the manual! FU Kia

[@ndcouey70]

+Palam Annamalai Thanks for the view and comment. Glad the video was of some help.

[@philippianstamps2874]

Watch your head also, hit my head on the hood 4 tiimes !

[@MrRondeezzee]

We all can do the easy part, why not show the difficulties of it. Makes more sense

[@ndcouey70]

Did you watch the entire video? I show the location of the bolts. Didn't see any reason to go into much more detail than that as it would have required installing the battery, pulling it again, and re-installing it. Really not following on the difficulties part of your comment. Perhaps you should have the dealership or a mechanic shop do SIMPLE tasks for you.

[@chuku81]

you really dont have one friend, one neighbor, one other person in your life to hold the camera while you were doing the procedure. so far my understanding of this job is to grab a 12mm socket.. stare at a dudes back for 6 minutes. and were good. battery changed

[@ndcouey70]

Thought I actually did show the exact areas where you would be working, if it's too complicated for you pay someone "with manners" to do it for you.

[@chuku81]

Yea... my bad.. sorry to be a d!ck. Different viewpoint may be a bit helpful, but, my apologies for having been a jerk about it.

[@rodolfofernandez2834]

Thanks for your videos it help me

[@wyattoneable]

And then if you have fat hands like me it's even worse!

[@ndcouey70]

Having big ol' pie grabbers can sometimes be a curse. I've got wide skinny hands with short fingers. "not much good for guitar or piano, but quite handy working on cars"

[@chaseduncan9760]

Dumbest design ever

[@stripymccatpuss]

That's a stupid way it attach the battery, someone at Kia has a screwed up sense of humour

[@ndcouey70]

I agree someone at Kia was like... let's see if round eye can figure this one out.

[@miketr732]

thanks for this video.

[@ndcouey70]

Appreciate the view and comment.