(August 16, 2010) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says on its website today that it's opened a preliminary inquiry into possible steering loss in the 2010 Kia Soul, the maker's hip box of a car. About 50,000 are on the road.

The NHTSA said, "The Office of Defects Investigation has received one complaint on a model year 2010 Kia Soul vehicle that alleges the steering shaft de-coupled from the hand wheel resulting in a complete loss of steering capability. In addition, the de-coupled steering shaft reportedly fell into a position that interfered with brake pedal application.

"The complaint vehicle had approximately two months and 4,300 miles of service at the time of the alleged incident. ODI is very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system.

"A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the alleged defect in the subject vehicles."