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: engine
220 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Mar 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT OIL NEEDED TO BE ADDED BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER ONE PISTON ROD BEARING DAMAGED THE CRANKSHAFT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MIKE KELLY KIA (LOCATED AT 254 PITTSBURGH RD SUITE A, BUTLER, PA 16002, (724) 287-2701) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
MY CAR GETS VERY HOT FOR NO REASON . THE DASHBOARD ,RADIO,BY MY GEARSTICK TO NAME A FEW PLACES. I SEEN THE RECALL FOR THE SOULS CATCHING ON FIRE AND READ THAT THE EXHAUST GAS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE LAST APRIL ONLY A MONTH AFTER BUYING MY CAR. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE STEPS TO TAKE TO TRY AN GET IT ADDED .
Engine, Dec 8, 2018
SPARK PLUGS ARE BURNING OUT FOR NO REASON. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL TUNE UPS. BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS ARE DOING THIS. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.?
Engine, Sep 11, 2018
VEHICLE HAS 96000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING AND PINGING. ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT TO REST AREA TO PULL OVER AND INSPECT. HEARD LOUD BANG AND ENGINE STALLED. COASTED INTO REST AREA. INSPECTION REVEALED OIL LEAKING FROM HOLE BLOWN IN LOWER ENGINE BLOCK.
Engine, Jul 21, 2018
I FIRST NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHILE BACKING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE. I THOUGHT PERHAPS A RECENT BRAKE JOB NEEDED SOME TWEAKING OR MAYBE HAD A DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED. I DROPPED IT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED OUT ON TUESDAY MORNING. WHEN THEY FINALLY LOOKED AT IT ON THURSDAY THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO "CRANK BEARING FAILURE" AND "RING FAILURE." MY ENGINE ONLY HAD 63000 MILES ON IT AND ALL THEY COULD DO WAS SHRUG AND OFFER A USED ENGINE AT THE SAME COST AS THE CURRENT VEHICLE VALUE.
Steering, Engine, Jun 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEST PALM BEACH KIA (735 S MILITARY TRAIL, WEST PALM BEACH, FL), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS, AND DOCUMENTED THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,751. *TT
Engine, Jun 20, 2018
VEHICLE AT 155000 MILES. DRIVING UP HILL ON A A ROAD I DRIVE EVERY DAY TO WORK. 0510, GOING 60 MPH AT 4000 RPMS UP THE HILL. SOUND/FELT ENGINE EXPLODE. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT. OIL HAD LEAKED OUT AND COULD NOT SEE DAMAGE. GOT IT TOW HOME AND FOUND THAT A PISTON ROD HAD BROKE AND GONE THREW THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE PAN.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 17, 2018
WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY BEHIND A SEMI. WHEN THE SEMI GOT OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE I ACCELERATED AND HERD A LOUD BANG AND DARK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM MY ENGINE. IT SMELLED OFTEN AND IMPAIRED MY VISION. SEVERAL OF MY CAUSATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I WAS STUCK AT 60 MPH MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STOPPED WORKING. I GOT OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE SAFELY AND COASTED FOR ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF TO THE NEAREST EXIT. SOMETHING TOLD ME DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKES OR YOU WILL BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. AS I GOT OF THE EXIT I STARTED TO BRAKE AND MY CAR STOPPED AND DIED.OIL WAS LEAKING OUT AND NOTHING WAS WORKING. I HAD TO GET PEOPLE TO PUSH ME OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME I HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. SO MY ENGINE FAILED ME AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I DID RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY KIA'S WITH RECALL AND VERY SIMILAR SITUATIONS AS MINE BUT NOT WITH MY MODEL CAR. I AM SURE THIS IS A MANUFACTURES ERROR AND I PRAY KIA DOES A RECALL TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S LIVES. *JS *JS
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 .
Engine, Jul 10, 2017
I STARTED MY SOUL AFTER WORK ON 7.7.2017 AND WHAT STARTED AS A SLIGHT CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY INCREASED AS I GOT ON TO THE HIGHWAY A FEW MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE STOPPED AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65-70 MPHIL. THE ENGINE LIGHT FIRST ILLUMINATED WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED, THEN ALL OF THE PANEL LIGHTS LIT UP. I HAD IT TOWED 25 MILES TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. WHEN HE ASSESSED THE CAR HE LET ME KNOW THE HORRIBLE NEWS THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP, AND HE COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY TELL ME WHY. AS OF THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT I HAD OWNED IT FOR EXACTLY 5 YEARS AND 3 DAYS. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES AND HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE.
Engine, Jun 1, 2017
NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED OIL AND FOUND THERE WAS NO OIL. I WAS GETTING OIL CHANGES AT EVERY 3000 MILES THEN CHANGED TO 7500 MILES PER RECOMMENDED. CHANGED BACK TO EVERY 3000 MILES BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT OIL LOSS. CAR WAS STILL BURNING OIL AND EMPTY BEFORE 3000 MILE CHANGE. ALSO NOTICED IT WAS BURNING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GAS ALSO. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO DID AN INDUCTION TEST AND TOLD ME I HAD CARBON BUILDUP ON MY PISTONS AND MY RINGS WERE STICKING SO I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. PLACED A CLAIM WITH KIA AND THEY DENIED MY CLAIM SITING POOR FUEL AND LACK OF MAINTENANCE RECORDS. THEY SAID I WAS NOT USING THE "RECOMMENDED" GAS STATIONS. I WAS NOT ASKED FOR ANY MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND HOW DO THEY KNOW WHAT GAS STATIONS I WAS USING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE. I AM CURRENTLY AT 85,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 23, 2016
THIS IS A STANDARD 6 SPEED VEHICLE. REVERSE IS IN THE SAME LOCATION AS 1ST GEAR. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT ONE MUST PULL ON A SLIDER CONTROL IN THE SHIFT HANDLE TO GET INTO FIRST. HISTORICALLY, REVERSE WAS ALWAYS THE GEAR FARTHEST AWAY FROM THE DRIVER. I HAVE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THOUGHT I WAS IN FIRST BUT WAS ACCIDENTLY IN REVERSE. I CAUGHT THE MISTAKE BEFORE THERE WAS ANY ACCIDENT. AS A SUGGESTION, REVERSE SHOULD BE IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR ALL CARS IN AMERICA. ACTUALLY, THE ENTIRE GEAR PATTERN SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR ALL STANDARD CARS IN AMERICA TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.
Engine, Oct 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,100.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 9, 2015
MY KIA SOUL 2012 HAS A NOISE AT COLD START THAT LAST 15 TO 20 SECOND, IT FEEL LIKE SOME THING LOOSE. DEALER AT SAHARA, LAS VEGAS NEVADA HAD IT FOR THREE TIMES AND 4 DAYS EACH TIME AND THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID WAS THE TIMING TENSIONER AND THEY REPLACED, BUT NOISE STILL THERE SO THEY HAVE TWO TIMES MORE AND AT THE END THE SAID THE NOISE IS THE OIL PUMP, OS IF IT WAS THE OIL PUMP WHY THEY REPLACE THE TIMING TENSIONER ? THE NOISE STILL EVERY DAY IN THE MORNING, PLUS SMELLING GAS BY THE MOTOR AND INFEST THE WHOLE GARAGE, SO I TOOK IT TO DEALER AT HENDERSON ,NEVADA CAUSE I FOUND OIL LEAKING BY OCV ( OIL CONTROL VALVE, SO THEY REPLACE TWO OCV AND STILL LEAK OIL, SO I REALIZED LOOKING DEEPLY THAT FIRST TWO INJECTORS ARE LEAKING GAS, MIXING WITH OIL. THEY ASKED IF OIL GOT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AND WHEN I SAID : NO YET, SO THEY SAID CAN NOT DO ANY THING. SO, THE SERVICES MANAGER THERE JUST PUT ALL THIS INFORMATION TO SEE IF A PERSON FROM MANUFACTURE OR SOME ONE HIGHER THAN THEN CAN LOOK IT UP. I THINK WHEN THEY REPLACE TIMING TENSIONER THEY DID NOT PUT RIGHT THE LIQUID GASKET, CAUSE I SEE THE LEAKING FROM THAT PLACE. I HAVE THOSE PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGH THE CAR AND I WASTE MY TIME THREE TIMES 4 OR 5 DAYS EACH WITHOUT MY CAR, CAUSE THEY DON'T RENT CARS OR EVEN GIVE YOU ONE TO MOVE. *TR
Engine, Jul 7, 2014, fire
MY 2012 KIA SOUL CAUGHT FIRE AFTER DRIVING IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES. THE FIRE STARTED AT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WAS CONSISTENT WITH A PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTION. THE WHOLE CAR BURNED DOWN WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. *JS
Power train, Engine, May 30, 2014
THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES AND I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO SPEED UP AND THE CAR HESITATED AFTER A FEW SECONDS I HAD POWER AGAIN. WHEN THE CAR DID ENGAGE A BIG THICK CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE.THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN WAS ON 5/25/2014 MY WIFE WAS ON A RAMP TRYING TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 30-40MPH, THERE WAS A VEHICLE COMING SO SHE LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL THAN WHEN THERE WAS AN OPENING SHE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN AND THERE WAS NO POWER. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THE CAR FINALLY ENGAGED AND ACCELERATED CAUSING A BIG THICK CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE COME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 11, 2013
8-31-13 IS THE FIRST TIME I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CAR ACCELERATING WHEN I WOULD FIRST START THE CAR UP IN THE GARAGE AND THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT WOULD JERK INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THEY RESET THE ADAPTIVE LEARNING SYSTEM. 10-9-13, IS THE 2ND TIME I WENT TO DEALERSHIP WITH THE SIMILAR SITUATION, BUT THE CAR WOULD SEEM LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND WHILE I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING. THEY CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS LOW (THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NONSERVICEABLE AREA AND THEY HAD TO ACCESS THE COVER WHICH IS BOLTED). THEY FILLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID TO WATCH AND CHECK NEXT TIME I HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. 10-11-13, ON WAY TO WORK, CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN TO WORK (30-45 MPH, CITY DRIVING) WHEN IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS HOLDING ITS BREATH,,,SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ON IT'S OWN. GOT TO OFFICE. WHEN LEAVING FOR THE DAY, CAR WAS JERKING AS IT WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO 2ND AND SEEMED TO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 40 MPH. THEN NOTICED THE EQUIVALENT OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CALLED DEALERSHIP BEFORE I GOT HOME AND ASKED IF I COULD COME IN FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALERSHIP IN MORNING. THIS IS SIMILAR SITUATION THAT SOMEONE ELSE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO THIS SITE ON 8-10-13 FOR KIA SOUL 2012. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2012
I BOUGHT A 2012 KIA SOUL FROM CAPITAL CITY KIA IN MONTPELIER, VERMONT JUST OVER A MONTH AGO. IT HAD 600 MILES ON IT. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF DRIVING IT VERY SELDOM, IT STOPPED OPERATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT IT THERE FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND WORKED ON IT WHILE I WAITED AND THEN SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST LOOSE CONNECTIONS. A HALF AN HOUR LATER THE CAR QUITE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AGAIN AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS FRUSTRATED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT SOME REASSURANCE THAT IT WAS TRULY FIXED. THEY SAID THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD. I LEFT WITH THE CAR AND WENT INTO A STORE FOR A HALF OF AN HOUR AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE HOME, IT DIED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SENT THEIR MOST EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS TO ME WHO EXPERIENCED STARTING IT UP AND THEN HAVING IT DIE AGAIN. THEY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. UPON PICKING IT UP AFTER IT WAS WORKED ON, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SPECIFIC THING( DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS OR HOW TO EXPLAIN) AND THAT IT WAS SET TO GO. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS IT DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT FOR AGAIN. KIA IN WILLISTON SAID THEY WOULD TAKE IT IN BUT I WOULD HAVE TO GET RIDE HOME, SO I ASKED TO HAVE IT TOED TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT IN MONTPELIER AND STATED THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR EVER AGAIN, CITING THE DANGER OF HAVING IT QUIT AGAIN AND THIS TIME IN A DANGEROUS PLACE AND AT A DANGEROUS SPEED. CAPITAL CITY HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH A 2013, WITH HIGHER PAYMENTS. I DO NOT WANT THAT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A CAR FROM KIA, AS I FEEL THAT THEIR PRODUCT IS INFERIOR AND THEIR SERVICE IS UNSATISFACTORY. I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK AND I WOULD LIKE THAT CAR TO BE DESTROYED SO THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL EVERY BE IN DANGER WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR
Engine, May 18, 2012, fire
CAR HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS WASHED THEN CAME HOME. CAR'S FRONT DEFROSTER WAS NOTED TO BE STUCK ON AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. QUICK CHECK UNDER THE CAR NOTED A FLAME THAT WAS EITHER COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR REFLECTING IN THE EXHAUST FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE BOTTOM/SIDE OF THE ENGINE. NO FLUIDS WERE SHOWN TO BE LEAKING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY OR WERE VISIBLE. CAR THEN RAPIDLY WENT UP IN FLAMES AND WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT OUT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2011
VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE SLUGGISH, RPM WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 2500 RPM, HAD TO GET VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, LOST DRIVEABILITY. *TT