2012 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 514 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineFeb 22, 2019
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Campaign 19V120000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsDec 29, 2014
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Campaign 14V822000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 16, 2018
CAR WOULD NOT START, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRE COVERS AND WIRES WERE DISINIGRATED. IT WAS TAKEN TO SHOP AND REPAIRED. THEN TWO WEEKS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN, THEN AGAIN ON 5/10/18 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHOP AND MECHANIC HAD ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE BUT DIFFERENT LOCATION, THIS TIME WAS WORSE AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STARTED THAT IT WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND ENDANGERING THE SAFETY TO MYSELF AND OTHER OCCUPANTS. WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT KIA USES A SOY BASED PEANUT OIL COATING FOR THE WIRES. HE INFORMED THAT THIS WOULD ATTRACT ANIMALS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $900 FOR THESE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT KIA IS AWARE OF THIS AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS AS FAR AS HE IS AWARE OF.
Electrical system, Structure, Service brakes, Feb 7, 2018
12/28/17 PURCHASED CAR FROM KIA DEALERSHIP. 1/27/18 I WAS DRIVING APPROX 50 MPH DOWN A COUNTY ROAD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD PANELLING FLEW OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS LOOSE AS WELL. I AM TOLD NO WAY TO SECURE PASSENGER SIDE IT JUST HAS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. ALSO NOTICED A LOUD SCREECHING COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE EVERY TIME I APPLY THE BRAKE. 2/3/18 NEIGHBOR WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME DOWN A CITY STREET AND CALLED TO TELL ME REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE APPEARED WOBBLY. 2/6/18 DEALERSHIP SAID BAD WHEEL BEARING AND REPLACED BUT STILL HAD NOT ORDERED PANELLING. ALSO SAID NOISE WAS FINE IT WAS JUST CAUSED BY METALLIC STRUCTURE OF BRAKES AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. 2/7/18 THE STEREO WILL TURN ON BUT EVERYTHING IS BACK TO FACTORY PRESETS AND NO SOUND COMES OUT OF SPEAKERS.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Feb 4, 2018, fire
2012 KIA SOUL WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS .
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 27, 2017
DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD CAR TOWED TO KIA OF BOWIE MD., WHO DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPLACED ELECTRICAL PANEL WHICH COST ESTIMATED $200.00 DOLLARS INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC. KIA OF BOWIE NEVER CALLED AND WHEN I FINALLY CONTACTED SOMEONE A WEEK LATER, THEY STATED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS OUT AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATE $2000.00 AND THAT'S THE PART. CAR HAS ONLY 70.000 MILES.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL FAILURES THAT PROGRESSED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO SHORTED OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER (SOUTHSIDE KIA, 9401 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 400-6650). ALSO, THE ODOMETER DISPLAYED AN IMPROPER READING AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT, MAKING ABNORMAL NOISES. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES, BUT THE RADIO FAILED AGAIN AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS FOR SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO SOLUTION YET FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2015
MY CAR'S HEATER ASSEMBLY CONTROL HAS FAILED AND IN DOING SO MY CAR'S HEATER DEFAULTED TO COLD AND FACE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. KIA WANTS AN ASTRONOMICAL FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND EVEN MORE FOR THE PART AND INSTALLATION.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER AND EVERY SO OFTEN THE GAUGES AND THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WILL NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, I THEN TOOK IT TO THEIR REPAIR SHOP. THE GENTLEMAN (MECHANIC) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND REQUESTED ANOTHER VEHICLE, OF COURSE THEY REFUSED. IN A MATTER OF DAYS, THE DASH MATERIALS BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, 20 DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. NONE OF THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES IN THE DASH WORK, AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE. I AM SIMPLY UNHAPPY WITH THE MATTER, BECAUSE THEY ARE CHARGING ME NEARLY $20,000. FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 11, 2014
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR THE RADIO HAD A SERVICE ADVISORY INSTEAD OF A RECALL, SO I WASN'T NOTIFIED BY MAIL. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT IN ADDITION TO THE RADIO, IT AFFECTS THE BACKUP CAMERA AND EVENTUALLY THE DASHBOARD, MAKING BOTH OF THEM INOPERABLE. THE REPAIRMEN AT FORD KIA IN RICHMOND, CA TRIED TO PLAY THIS OFF LIKE IT'S NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. BUT IF THE DASHBOARD CONTROLS ARE USELESS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND YOU NEED TO TRY AND PULL OVER TO RESTART THE CAR, THAT IS A PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN. UPDATED 10/05/2017*JS
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2014
NOV. 2013 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, I WENT TO KIA AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART FOR IT BUT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT FROM KY TO INDIANAPOLIS IN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING THEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING, I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP IN ELIZABETHTOWN KY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD ORDERED THE ENTIRE CLUSTER BUT CAR WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, I WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY AND THE CAR STARTED BUT YOU COULD NOT ENGAGE THE GEAR SHIFT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD CAR 3 WEEKS AND SAID IT IS FIXED. JANUARY 13TH 2014 STARTED ALL OVER WITH ODOMETER GOING OUT, TOOK IT BACK TO KIA AND THEY HAD TO ORDER YET ANOTHER CLUSTER (2ND IN 2 MONTHS) OKAY TO DRIVE CAR, I REFUSED AND REQUIRED THEM TO PROVIDE LOANER (WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF STATE). THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT GOES TO ELECTRICAL, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THEY SAID A SENSOR HAD GONE OUT AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING NOT JUST A BULB. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2013
FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. CAR WAS 3 WEEKS OLD.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2013
THE RADIO FROZE AND I COULDN'T CHANGE THE STATION, PROGRAM, OR USE THE CD. NEXT THE BACKUP CAMERA WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER DRIVING FURTHER, THE SIGNALS AND LIGHTS ON THE DASH CEASED TO FUNCTION. I DIDN'T DRIVE MORE THAN 8 MILES GOING TO AND FROM WORK AND TO THE STORE. IT HAS RESET ITSELF SO FAR AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR 3-9 HOURS. THE KIA TOLL FREE NUMBER REFERRED ME TO THE DEALER IN RICHMOND, CA WHERE I BOUGHT THE USED CAR, BUT WAS TOLD IT CANNOT BE FIXED UNTIL THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN WHILE TROUBLE OCCURS. IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SINCE JUNE 26, 2013. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2013
STARTED CAR SUNDAY AT 1:30 PM. NOTICES GAS GAUGE NEEDLE WAS BELOW EMPTY. BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE, PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE - NO INSTRUMENTATION AT ALL. TACH AT O, TEMP GAUGE AT O, FUEL GAUGE BELOW EMPTY. SHUT OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED ENGINE - STILL NO INSTRUMENTATION DROVE SLOWLY TO NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL TANK (I DID NOT REMEMBER BUT I NEVER LAT THE TANK GET BELOW 1/4 FULL) TOO 2.6 GALLONS TO FILL. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETERS NOT WORKING. ONLY DASHBOARD LIGHT WORKING IS TEMP (OUTSIDE) AND THE ECON LIGHT. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH UNIVERSITY KIA - HUNTSVILLE, AL - LEFT CAR AFTER DESCRIBING PROBLEM. THE CALL MONDAY PM SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND SINCE IT WAS MLK DAY THERE WAS NO TECH SUPPORT AVAILABLE - NEED TO KEEP CAR OVERNIGHT. NO LOANER COULD BE AUTHORIZED. U. KIA CALLED TUESDAY PM AT 1:30 SAID THEY REBOOTED THE COMPUTER AND THE GAUGES APPEAR WORKING BUT THEY PROBABLY WOULD FAIL. KIA TECH SERVICES WERE TO ORDER AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FROM KOREA AS THERE WERE NONE IN THE US. WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO OBTAIN AND REPROGRAM. I REQUESTED A LOANER FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER BUT HE COULD NOT AUTHORIZE ONE. I REQUESTED HE ELEVATE THE REQUEST OT THE DEALERSHIP OWNER OR TO KIA MANAGEMENT. HE ([XXX]. KIA SERVICE PERSON) SAID HE WOULD FORWARD MY REQUEST AND CALL ME TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THIS IS JUST NOT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE. I CANNOT BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS - ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE IN A NEW AUTO THAT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO REPAIR QUICKLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2012
2012 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD NOT BE SEEN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED KIA NEEDS TO CHANGE THE BACKGROUND COLOR OF ITS INSTRUMENTS TO WHITE LETTERS OVER A BLUE BACKGROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS HARD TO SEE, THE RED NEEDLES ON A BLACK BACKGROUND. *JB