Rear Window Wiper Arm + Blade for KIA Soul 2010–2019 — OEM 98811-2K001 Replacement

A tired rear wiper arm is one of those faults that only shows itself in bad weather — streaked glass, a blade that skips across the window, or an arm that no longer presses the rubber against the surface at all. This listing is a complete rear window wiper arm and blade assembly for the KIA Soul 2010–2019, supplied as an OEM-equivalent replacement for part number 98811-2K001. Below you will find the specifications, the OEM cross-reference, the fitment checks that matter, and practical installation notes you can use before ordering.

Why the Rear Wiper Arm Matters More Than the Blade Alone

Most owners replace only the rubber blade and then wonder why the window is still smeared. The arm carries the spring that holds the blade against the glass, and over years of use that spring weakens, the pivot seizes, or the arm is bent during a car wash or an ice-scraping session. Once the contact pressure is wrong, even a brand-new blade will chatter or leave an unwiped band.

On the KIA Soul, the rear wiper sits in a high-exposure position and works against water thrown up from the rear tyres, so it sees more road film and grit than the front pair. Replacing the arm and blade together as a matched assembly is the reliable route: the geometry, the park position, and the blade angle all come pre-set to the factory reference rather than being rebuilt around a worn arm.

Key Specifications

Specifications are provided as a sourcing reference. Always confirm the part number on your old arm and the build year of your vehicle before ordering.

Fitment and OEM Cross-Reference

Rear wiper arms are not a universal part. The spindle spline count, the arm length, the offset angle and the park position are all fixed to a specific body generation, which is why a generic "fits most hatchbacks" arm usually ends up resting at the wrong angle or missing the window edge entirely.

This assembly is matched to the KIA Soul across the 2010–2019 model run and cross-references 98811-2K001. Before ordering, do a two-step check:

1. Read the number off the old arm. If it matches 98811-2K001, the replacement is a like-for-like swap.
2. Confirm your model year. The 2010–2019 range covers the first and second Soul generations; if your vehicle sits at a generation boundary or is an imported trim, send us the VIN or the old part number and we will check it before dispatch.

If the numbers do not match, do not force the fit — the arm may seat on the spindle but sit at the wrong rest angle, which stresses the motor linkage over time.

Signs the Rear Wiper Arm or Blade Needs Replacing

These are the symptoms owners and workshops most commonly report before swapping the assembly:

• Streaking or an unwiped arc. The blade passes over the glass but leaves a band untouched — a classic sign of lost arm pressure.
• Juddering or a scraping noise. The blade skips instead of gliding, often because the arm angle has drifted or the pivot is stiff.
• The arm rests in the wrong position. It stops short of the park point or overshoots the tailgate edge.
• Visible corrosion or a loose spindle joint. Play in the arm where it meets the motor spindle means the spline is wearing.
• The blade no longer contacts the glass. The spring has relaxed to the point where the rubber barely touches the window.

Installation Notes

The swap is a straightforward DIY job and takes most owners under fifteen minutes. Work in this order:

1. Park the wiper. Cycle the rear wiper once and let it return to its rest position, then switch the ignition off so the motor cannot run.
2. Protect the glass. Lay a folded cloth over the window in case the arm snaps back during removal.
3. Release the old arm. Lift the arm away from the glass, remove the retaining nut cover and nut, then ease the arm off the spindle. If it is seized, apply gentle rocking pressure — never lever against the glass.
4. Note the spline alignment. Mark or photograph the spindle position so the new arm parks at the same angle.
5. Fit the new assembly. Seat the arm on the spline at the correct rest angle, refit the nut and cover, then test one full sweep on a wet window before final tightening.

If the new arm still parks at the wrong angle after correct seating, check the motor linkage rather than forcing the arm — the fault is usually upstream of the arm itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this fit every KIA Soul from 2010 to 2019?

It is matched to the KIA Soul 2010–2019 range and cross-references OEM number 98811-2K001. Fitment can vary between model years, market-specific trims and generation changes, so the safest confirmation is to compare this number with the marking on your existing arm.

Do I need to replace the rear wiper motor as well?

No. This assembly mounts onto the existing rear wiper motor spindle. Only if the motor itself is noisy, does not move, or the linkage is badly worn would a motor replacement be needed.

Is the blade included, or is this the arm only?

The package contains both the rear wiper arm and the wiper blade, so the assembly can be fitted as one unit without sourcing a separate blade.

My old arm sits at an odd angle — will a new arm fix it?

If the arm has been bent or the spline has rounded out, a new assembly normally restores the factory park position. If the angle problem comes back immediately after fitting, the wear is in the motor linkage rather than the arm.

Can I reuse the old mounting nut and cover?

In most cases the original retaining nut and cover can be reused if they are undamaged. Inspect the threads and the cover clip before refitting; replace anything cracked or stripped rather than tightening it down.