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: steering
166 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2022
Popping in steering when turning back and forth. Cruise and radio quit working.
Steering, May 1, 2022
Steering coupler. I have paid for replacement 2 different times and has broke yet again. Worried with wife driving car that she will lose control
Steering, Apr 22, 2022
The steering coupling is going out. it makes a clunking noise when you turn the steering wheel either direction constantly.
Steering, Feb 20, 2022
Steering wheel couplen is going out and every kia soul 2011 2013 are recall some 2012 why isn't mine thats a sad situation kias are having major recalls kia needs to fix my steering
Steering, Feb 6, 2022
My 2012 Kia Soul+ is having the same steering wheel "clunking" issue as other years/models which have been issued a recall notice but my year/model/VIN is not included in the recall and I would like for it to be included so I can get the safety issue fixed. https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2012-kia-soul-steering-recalls-your-questions-answered - below are statements from other owners with same issue: "I have a 2012 Kia Soul and the steering coupler is messed up. Premature Wear of the Flex Steering Coupler, it states that previous years and later years have this problem. But the 2012 does not have a recall although it has the same coupler." "Why is the 2012 Kia Sould not recalled for steering coupler? All other years prior and after were." "I have a 2012 Kia soul and the steering wheel coupler is messed up all other Kia have recall but my year model does not but yet same issue same part "
Steering, Jan 28, 2022
Steering coupler failing. Steering wheel currently clicks and feels loose when turning. Afraid it will break at any moment and needs immediate repair... Recall has been offered for other years of Kia Souls for this part but not 2012. This should be a recall for 2012 too!
Steering, Dec 23, 2021
Vibration of tires while driving and clicking noise when turning steering wheel
Steering, Nov 23, 2021
popping sound in steering column when turning. it is available for inspection. problem identified by Firestone technician.
Steering, Oct 12, 2021
kia used a cheap plastic part as the central junction of the entire steering system. This causes a "clunk" noise when the plastic starts breaking down, and can eventually lead to complete steering failure. This should be a MFG recall, but instead it is a $500 repair.
Steering, Jul 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55-65 mph, the steering wheel vibrated and made a knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
Steering, Jun 2, 2021
Knocking in the steering column lead to steering coupling being damaged. Steering failed when driving over speeds of 65. Almost died. No warning. Auto body shop explained noise
Steering, May 25, 2021
Steering column is loose.
Steering, Engine, May 3, 2021
THE ENGINE IS MAKING A TICKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS CLICKING WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO HAD 3 OPEN RECALLS. TOOK IT TO ALL STAR KIA IN SAN BERNARDINO FOR 3 RECALLS AND THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WORKING ON THE CAR, THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE TICKING SOUND WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I SAW ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT DUE TO CATALYTIC COVERTER OVERHEATING IT COULD CAUSE ROD KNOCK. I EVEN TOLD THEM THE RECALL WAS SC176.
Steering, Mar 18, 2021
STEERING WHEEL INITIALLY STARTING STICKING WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE LANES OR TURN. NOW THE WHEEL CLICKS WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION
Steering, Air bags, Feb 21, 2021
MY 2012 KIA SOUL HAS STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. ON TOP OF THIS THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE WHEN DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING THE WIND BLEW AT THE CAR AND THE STEERING BEING SO LOOSE CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. LUCKY FOR ME THERE WASN'T ANOTHER CAR AROUND OR IT WOULD HAVE HIT ME HEAD ON. IT'S HARD TO CONTROL IT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON ALSO NOW. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT IS HAPPENING. I HOPE IT WORKS IN CASE THIS STEERING ISSUE CAUSES ME TO WRECK. I NEED THE CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY DEALERSHIP TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HAS BECOME VERY NERVE-WRACKING DUE TO STEERING BEING SO LOOSE. I HAVE READ THAT EVERYO E WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES.
Steering, Jan 25, 2021
CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT. FEELS LOOSE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY.
Steering, Lane departure, Nov 7, 2020
MY 2012 KIA SOUL POWER STEERING IS ALMOST LOCK IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN
Steering, Aug 30, 2020
CLUNKING WHEN TURNING, NOW THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE
Steering, Engine, Aug 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVE AND WHEN MAKING TURNS AND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
Steering, Engine, May 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROADWAY AND THE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
Steering, May 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE DETECTED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Steering, Mar 8, 2020
CLUNKING AND CLICKING IN STEERING. SAME AS SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT.
Steering, Jan 27, 2020
2012 KIA SOUL NOW MAKING A CLUNKING, CLICKING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT WITH SLIGHT PLAY IN THE WHEEL. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE WHAT IT COULD BE I HAVE DISCOVERED COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE WEB OF THE SAME ISSUE. PEOPLE BEING TOLD BY MECHANICS IF NOT FIXED IT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO STEERING FAILURE, BUT THAT KIA REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR RECALL THESE VEHICLES DESPITE BEING AWARE OF THE ISSUE FOR YEARS NOW.
Steering, Jan 16, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING.
Steering, Jan 13, 2020
I OWN A 2012 KIA SOUL + WITH 39,000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY HEARD A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. RESEARCH SHOWS IT TO BE THE STEERING COUPLER. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS COUPLER IN OTHER KIA MODELS BUT NOT THE 2012 KIA SOUL. THE DANGERS OF LOOSING STEERING BECAUSE OF THIS COUPLER ARE THE SAME NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE YOU ARE DRIVING I THEREFORE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 2012 KIA SOUL AS WELL AS ANY MODELS WITH THIS SAME COUPLER. SEEMS TO ME KIA IS GETTING OFF THE HOOK FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND I HOPE YOU WILL SEE THAT THE DANGERS INVOLVING THE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SAFETY MATTER THAT DESERVES A RECALL FOR THE 2012 MODEL AS IT HAS FOR OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME COUPLER.