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
514 reports, newest first.
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 4, 2021
WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, IT STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ETC., GEARED IN DRIVE AND LOW IDLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN RESTARTED IT PROCEEDS AT A SLOW CRAWL AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY IN 15 TO 30 SECONDS. HAD OIL, OIL FILTER AND ENGINE AIR FILTER REPLACED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT STALLS. AFTER SIX TIMES OF DYING AND NOT ACCELERATING, IT IS NOW PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND FEAR IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN ONE WEEK WITH NO PRIOR OPERATION ISSUES. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS BUT NO RESOLVES, JUST ASTRONOMICAL REPAIR BILLS WITH NO FIXES AND NO HELP FROM KIA, DEALERSHIPS OR THE GOVERNMENT.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2021
IN 2018 I KNOWN MY 2012 SOUL 1.6L CONSUME TOO MUCH ENGINE OIL ABOUT 1QT FOR 1,000 MILES. I TOLD IT THE KIA ENGINEER. BUT THE ENGINEER SAID, IT IS CAUSED BY MILEAGE OVER 140,000. I HAD ADDED ENGINE OIL PRETTY OFTEN. I VISITED THE KIA A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER FOR ENGINE STALLING AND AND EXTRA OIL CONSUMING. I ASKED FOR RECALL 19V120000. BUT THEY SAID IT IS NOT FOR MY CAR. THEY TOLD OTHER REPAIR ABOUT $ 400 INSTEAD.
Engine, Jan 27, 2021, fire
THE ENGINE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
Steering, Jan 25, 2021
CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT. FEELS LOOSE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 7, 2021
UPON MY LAST SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME MY OIL WAS LOW. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING TO ADD OIL. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE ISSUE. LAST WEEK WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX 50 MILES HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS GONE. THE CAR HAS 97,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED MYSELF FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS USING SYNTHETIC OIL.
Engine, Dec 12, 2020
ON NOV 30TH 2020 MY 2012 KIA SOUL BROKE DOWN AT ABOUT 8:00 PM ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY HEADED SOUTH ON 16 TOWARDS TACOMA. I HAD TO HAVE AAA TOW IT TO MY EX HUSBAND'S HOUSE. IM NOT FAMILIAR WITH CARS BUT HAD JUST PUT OIL IN IT AND GET REGULAR CHECK UPS BUT TO ME IT SOUNDED LIKE MY ENGINE BLEW. I COULD BARELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY ENOUGH SO I WASN'T HIT BY PASSING TRUCKS. I WASN'T TURNING BUT I WAS GOING 60 MPH WHICH WAS THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAVR DOCUMENTATION OF AAA PICKING IT UP BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I'VE BEEN FINDING RIDES TO WORK SINCE THIS HAPPENED
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TROPHY KIA OF CARSON LOCATED AT 22020 RECREATION RD, CARSON, CA 90745, WHO RESET THE ENGINE SOFTWARE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE ENGINE LATER EXPERIENCED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Electrical system, Dec 3, 2020
TRIED STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS BLACK. NO READINGS FOR ANY OF THE GAUGES AND SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. CAR WAS DRIVABLE AFTER RELEASING THE GEAR WITH THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, BUT NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKING. COULDN'T SEE ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, HEAT GAUGE BECAUSE IT WASN'T MOVING OR LIT UP.
Engine, Nov 9, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED ALSO WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTART OF THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ALERTED BY A FELLOW MOTORIST THAT HER VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE(FIRE ORIGIN UNKNOWN). THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER BELIEVED THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN; NO INJURIES WERE SUFFERED DUE TO THE FIRE. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
Steering, Lane departure, Nov 7, 2020
MY 2012 KIA SOUL POWER STEERING IS ALMOST LOCK IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN
Visibility, Nov 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE SUN ROOF, THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE SUN ROOF STOPPED HALFWAY OPENED. THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED A SECOND TIME AND THE SUN ROOF OPENED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CASEY KIA (11999 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23606, (757) 347-8247) HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
Engine, Oct 6, 2020
MY KIA SOUL 2012 HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEM A WITH OVER THE LIMIT OIL CONSUMPTION THAT STARTED IN 2015. IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IN CROWN KIA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID THAT I CAN CHANGE OIL ON EVERY 5000 MILES. OVER TIME IT STARTED BURNING MORE AND MORE OIL THAT IT WAS NEEDED TO ADD AND CHANGE OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. REPUTABLE MECHANIC IN THE AREA TOLD ME KIA SOUL HAVE THAT DEFECT OF BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL AND IT WAS DUE TO DEFECTED VALVE GUIDES AND PISTON RINGS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 17, 2020
WHILE DRIVING CAR IS RANDOMLY STALLING . VISITED SEVERAL SERVICE INCLUDE KIA SERVICE AS WELL NOBODY KNOWS WHATS WRONG. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN DURING DRIVING THE CAR JUST STALLS ALL OF THE SUDDEN.
Engine, Sep 10, 2020
ON OR ABOUT JUNE 27, 2013, I HAD ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND WHILE ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION AND THEN A LIGHT KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I HAD THE CODE READ AND IT IDICATED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR WAS BAD. I HAD IT REPLACED AND STILL HAD THE KNOCKING NIOSE AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. HAD THE CODE READ AGAIN AND IT IDICATED THAT IT WAS THE KNOCK SENSOR, SO I REPLACED IT AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT BUT THE KNOCKING CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEN IT STARTED STALLING AT STOPS, ALSO ENGINE WAS RUNNING ODD AND NOT HAVING POWER. ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THIS TIME THE CODE INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR. I REPLACED IT AND THE ODD RUNNING STOPPED. THE ENGINE STILL STALLS ON OCCASION IT STALLS EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I'VE HAD BOTH RECALLS COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD BY: ARAPAHOE KIA, (9701 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112) AFTER THE CATALITIC CONVERTER RECALL WAS COMPLETED, THAT I SHOULD GET THE ENGINE FLUSHED AND IF IT STILL CONTINUED, I HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED AT MY COST. TO SAY THE LEAST, THAT AFTER 241,436 MILES, IT IS STILL KNOCKING, USING OIL. I THINK THE CATALITIC CONVERTER HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT YOU KNOW HOW DEALERSHIPS TREAT CUSTOMERS, LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. I'M A MECHICAL ENGINEER INSPECTOR, SO GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR KIA SOULS, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL 1.6L ENGINES.
Steering, Aug 30, 2020
CLUNKING WHEN TURNING, NOW THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE
Engine, Aug 17, 2020
7/22/20 - CAR DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE STORE #005738, NEWPORT, KY TO PURCHASE 2 NEW TIRES AND AN ENGINE COURTESY CHECK WAS PERFORMED - FIRESTONE ID #7046930 - NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO SAFETY WARNINGS, MILEAGE 77,071 MILES ON CAR. 7/27/20 - THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN - CAR WAS TOWED TO FIRESTONE, MASON, OH. 7/29/20 - THEY EXAMINED THE CAR, MILEAGE 77,398. THE ENGINE HAD A ROD BLOW THROUGH THE OIL PAN CAUSING ALL OF THE OIL TO DRAIN FROM THE CAR. THEY ALSO RAN A DIAGNOSITC ON THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC GOT A READING OF CODES: P0300 - RANDOM MULTIPLE PISTONS MIS FIRE, P0303 - CYLANDER #3 MIS FIRING. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A CURRENT RECALL ON 2012-2016 KIA SOULS - RECALL #19V120000. [VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6LGASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) ENGINES. HIGH EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES MAY DAMAGE CALYTIC CONVERTER POSSIBLY RESUTLING IN ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION AND DAMAGE TO ONE OR MORE OF THE ENGINE'S PISTONS AND POSSIBLE PISTON CONNECTING ROD FAILURE.] PER KIA, CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POSSIBLE CONVERTER FAILURE CAN CAUSE THE ROD TO PUNCTURE THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT. WE CHECKED WITH THE RECALL SITE TO VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS LISTED FOR THE RECALL. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY BECUASE THE P0420 CODE DID NOT DISPLAY. THEY DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR COULD NOT RUN A HEAT TEST ON THE ENGINE SINCE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THIS VEHICLE BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE RECALL BECUASE WHAT HAPPEND TO OUR VEHICLE IS THE SAME AS WHAT HAPPENS TO VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
Engine, Aug 11, 2020
I DISCOVERED THIS RECALL (SC176) (19V120) ONLINE AND WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE THROUGH A PISTON ROD JUST AS THE RECALL STATES THAT COULD HAPPEN AND IT DID. WE REGULARLY CHANGED THE OIL AND KIA IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THIS RECALL.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 8, 2020
I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL AND WITH REGISTRATION PAPERS I RECEIVED RECALL PAPERS STATING 2 RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LEGAL TO SELL VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING IT FIXED.?? NEXT I. TAKE MY VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER ON MONDAY AUGUST 3 TO FIX RECALLS THEY.SAID.NO CODES SHOW.. I DRIVE HOME 45 MINI AWAY. CAR DIES. INEXT MORNING.IT.DIES.AGAIN WONT START.. I LOOKS UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE.IS A.WIRE BURING THROUGH MY FUS BOX WHICH WAS NOT THERE BEFORE AND NOW I HAVE NO.POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT I KNOW THAT WIRE WASN'T THERE BEFORE.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2020
MY CAR IS STALLING A LOT I CHANGE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND IT KEEPS STALLING OUT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2020
REFRIGERANT OIL LEAKING FROM AC COMPRESSOR
Engine, Jul 21, 2020
BURNING OIL, MECHANIC DID ANOTHER ENGINE FLUSH TO CLEAN BUILDUP, AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT'S THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MECHANIC STATED IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BURNING OIL WITH THIS ENGINE AND NOW THE CAT NEEDS REPLACING, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I LOVE MY SOUL BUT THIS ENGINE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE
Engine, Jul 19, 2020
BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHEN CAR IS IN USE.
Engine, Jul 8, 2020
WHEN YOU GO TO TURN ON THE CAR IT STALLS AS IF THE STARTER DOES NOT WORK AFTER 2 TRIES IT TURNS ON ONLY THE RPMS DOES NOT MOVE AND THE CAR SHAKES VERY VIOLENTLY SO I STOP TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND NO PROBLEM ONLY WHEN AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED IN DRIVE-THRU THE CAR WILL TURN OFF NO POWER YOU TURN IT ON AGAIN AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN IT DOES THE SAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN PUEBLO THEY SAID IT WAS AN OLD CODE NOT TO WORRY YET THE CAR GIVES ME TROUBLE STILL AND MAKES A WEIRD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURN OFF