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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 514

Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernEngine209 reports · 41% of complaints
Owner complaints514Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine209
  2. Steering166
  3. Service brakes46
  4. Other or unspecified39
  5. Electrical system38
  6. Hydraulic34
  7. Engine and engine cooling32
  8. Fuel/propulsion system21

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  1. Power train, Jun 5, 2019

    THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR A ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT INPUT SIGNAL HAD HIGH VOLTAGE FOR A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO SHIFT HARD AND BUCK. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE A MANUAL. YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND LET IT SHIFT. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER WERE YOU ARE DRIVING. IT COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS.

  2. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 3, 2019

    OCCASIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND THEN TURN OFF. FOR ONLY A DAY OR TWO, I COULD HEAR A RATTLING SOUND UPON ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE NOISE BECAME MUCH LOUDER, THE ENGINE FAILED AND BEGAN SMOKING. THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP WHERE THEY SHOWED ME THAT A PISTON ROD HAD PUNCTURED THE CAR'S ENGINE BLOCK. I LEARNED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED UNDER NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 19V120. I FOLLOWED RECALL INSTRUCTIONS AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL.

  3. Engine, May 21, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROADWAY. UPON RAISING THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL EVERYWHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON THE ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. CHARLIE'S KIA (LOCATED AT 475 WESTERN AVE, AUGUSTA, ME 04330, (207) 622-6621) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED FROM THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

  4. Electrical system, May 20, 2019

    AFTER WORK ON 4/30/19, I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE PARKING DECK ATTENDANT. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT STARTED SHAKING AND SOUNDING ROUGH, AS IF IT WERE STRUGGLING TO STAY ON. I DROVE IT FOR A FEW MILES, BUT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE MORE THAN 35 OR SO MPH. IT WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISE THE ENTIRE WAY. I ONLY DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE TO THE NEXT EXIT, SO THAT I COULD FIND AN OPEN PARKING LOT JUST IN CASE IT CUT OFF ON ME. I CALLED AAA AND GOT A TOW HOME DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR. THE NEXT MORNING, AAA TOWED ME TO A AAA CAR CARE FACILITY AND I LET THEM DO REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION COIL # 4 WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE, PLUS THE SPARK PLUGS AND AIR & CABIN FILTERS THAT THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED. HE SAID THAT THE OTHER 3 COILS SHOULD BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

  5. Steering, Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2019

    WHERE DO I START, MY 2012 KIA SOUL HAS ABOUT 86,000 MILES AND HAS EXPERIENCE ISSUES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE I CHANGED MY LEFT BRAKE LIGHT AND DISCOVERED IT WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WHERE BULB IS BURNT AND HAVE TO REPLACE ABOUT TWICE YEARLY. SECOND, SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO CRANK MY CAR IT WOULD START FAINTLY THEN STALL OUT AND I WILL HAVE TO RETRY AGAIN UNTIL IT CRANKS CORRECTLY. THIS HAVING ALSO BEEN OCCURRING FOR A FEW YEARS. THIRD, WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR I'VE EXPERIENCED A/C CONTROL PROBLEMS. WHEN I GO TO TURN IT ON IT WONT DO ANYTHING,NO DEFROST/BLOWING/HOT/COLD NOTHING. THEN I WOULD PROCEED TO KEEP TRYING TO TURN OFF AND ON AND OUT OF NO WHERE IT JUST STARTS ON ITS OWN. SOMETIMES IT'S SCARY ESPECIALLY WHEN I NEED TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS AND IT DECIDES NOT TO WORK. TOOK IT TO SUN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT AND SAID AND I QUOTE "IT HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE", WHATEVER THAT MEANS. FOURTH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL BUTTON. DONT KNOW IF IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS HAS ALSO STARTED WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR. FINALLY, ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO MY STEERING WHILE STARTED MAKING THIS ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT . THAT IS WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED OR STOPPED. IT JUST KEEPS CLICKING EVERY MOVEMENT, BUMPS AND TURNS. SUDDENLY I RECIEVED A LETTER ABOUT THIS GIVEN WARRANTY RECALLING MY VEHICLE TO GET FIXED. NOW I'M QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT IF MY OTHER PROBLEMS ARE COMMON IN OTHER VEHICLES AND IS ON THE ROLL TO RECALL

  6. Engine, May 15, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (HUTCHINSON AUTO MALL, 3989 RIVER PLACE DRIVE, MACON, GA 31210, 478-757-2177) INDICATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE CLICKING NOISE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CAMPAIGN. A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  7. Steering, May 14, 2019

    THE STEERING WHEEL HAS STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE NOSE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND WHEN MOVING. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS BY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET. 2014-2016 MODELS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVE ACTUALLY ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR A STRONG PROBLEM WITH THE"PINION WHEEL", ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MODELS MAY BE WITH THE"STEERING COUPLER". DOESN'T SEEM SAFE AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM UPON FURTHER RESEARCH.

  8. Engine, May 14, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KEFFER KIA (271 W PLAZA DR, MOORESVILLE, NC 28117 (833) 397-4171) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *BF *AS

  9. Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, May 14, 2019

    RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA STATING TO HAVE MY STEERING CHECKED OUT . I AM HEARING A POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN LEFT IN THE STEERING. IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING THE KIA DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING GOING ON AND THEY KEEP TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. ALSO THERE'S A SUSPENSION NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEN I GO OVER A GREAT OR ANYTING EVEN A SMALL LITTLE DENT IN THE ROAD IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE BACK END OF MY CAR IS GOING TO FALL APART ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES MY LIGHTS DIM ON THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE THEN WHEN I GO THE LIGHTS WILL GO BRIGHT AGAIN.

  10. Power train, Engine, May 13, 2019, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE DETECTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHICH LED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO CASA KIA 1374 GEORGE DIETER DR, EL PASO, TX 79936 (915) 856-2982 WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RESULTS FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE RESULTS WAS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPAIRS WERE DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.

  11. Engine, May 13, 2019, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATED ON OR ABOUT MARCH 29, A TAPPING NOISE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON APRIL 2ND AND THE NOISE WAS REDUCED. ON APRIL 3RD WHILED DRIVING TO WORK THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROD FRACTURED CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN WHICH RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE DEALER GOSSETT KIA, 1900 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, 901-388-8989, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

  12. Engine, May 9, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A LOUD BOOM NOISE AND THE VEHICLE CEASED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW OIL LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH VIN. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED ON APRIL 26, 2019 HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WERE HE WAS NOTIFIED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER DEMONTROND KIA (14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 607-1973) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAMAGE ON THE ENGINE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS STILL AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

  13. Engine, May 8, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE EXITING A FUEL STATION. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE SCENE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA OF AUSTIN (13175 US-183 N, AUSTIN, TX 78750, (512) 583-1900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE IN THE ENGINE AND SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,131.

  14. Engine, May 6, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BEAVERTON KIA (12520 SW CANYON RD, BEAVERTON, OR 97005 (503) 526-2131) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A FRACTURED VALVE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER QUOTED $6,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

  15. Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND FAULT CODE: P0240 APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MUFFLER SHOP. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

  16. Engine, Apr 29, 2019

    ON APR. 4TH, 2019 MY CAR HAD BROKE DOWN. AFTER GETTING A DIAGNOSTIC THE MECHANIC HAD ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS A HOLE IN MY ENGINE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM OVERHEATING . A WEEK LATER ON APRIL 12, 2019 KIA RECALL NOTICES ON MY VEHICLE. THE LETTER, WHICH I RECEIVED ON APRIL 24, 2019, STATED THAT MY VEHICLE IS HAVING A SAFETY RECALL AS THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT IT IS HAD THE ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA AND THEY TOWED MY CAR TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. TWO DAYS LATER I WILL SAVE A CALL FROM TODD, THE MECHANIC AT KIA, WHO STATED MY REPAIR HAS BEEN DENIED TO CONTACT CONSUMER AFFAIRS . I SPOKE WITH THEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REPAIR WAS DENIED BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY ENGINE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, A WARRANTY IS NOT NEEDED ON A SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS WHICH THEY SAID THEY CAN DO IT FOR $4100. THIS IS ABSURD. I HAVE BEEN SO INCONVENIENCED AND MISTREATED, ENGINES EXPLODING IS NOT A MINOR PROBLEM WITH A CAR AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO PROVIDE ME A PROPER SOLUTION. TO ME IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REPAIRS ARE AN OUT OF POCKET COST MEANING NO ONE AT THE COMPANY WILL GET PAID TO REPAIR IT AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE SHORT END OF THE STICK. THE RECALL LETTER INDICATED IF I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS DE THE RECALL LETTER INDICATED IF I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE ST NO COST TO ME, BUT THEN ASK ME TO PAY $4100. PLEASE HELP ME. ATTACHED I HAVE ATTACHED THE PICTURE OF THE MY ENGINE CLEARLY SHOWN WITH A HOLE IN IT WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT OFTEN HAPPENS TO VEHICLES. I WANT MY RECALL LETTER HONORED ASAP.

  17. Steering, Apr 29, 2019

    STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND HAS GIVE AT LOW SPEEDS (LIKE WHILE PARKING OR TAKING CORNERS SLOWELY) AND AT HIGH SPEEDS (70MPH +). TAKEN TO KIA DEALER, AND COUPLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. KIA RECALLED LATER MODELS WITH SAME PARTS AND OPTIMAS WITH SAME PARTS, BUT NOT 2012 SOULS. IT'S THE SAME PART THAT WAS REPLACED FOR FREE IN OTHER MODELS, BUT 2012 ISN'T COVERED.

  18. Engine, Apr 29, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM MARSH KIA (8555 W CENTENNIAL PKWY, LAS VEGAS, NV 89149, 866-521-6618), BUT THEY DENIED THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $4,100 WITH A DISCOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER ASKED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THEIR FACILITY AT HER EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

  19. Engine, Apr 26, 2019

    HELLO, I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON APR. 24TH, 2019 IN REGARDS TO MY VEHICLE. IT INDICATED THAT THEY ARE HAVING SAFETY RECALL ON THE ENGINE WHICH IS CAUSING ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION. ON APR. 4TH, 2019 MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I HAD GOT IT DIAGNOSED THE REPAIR MAN SHOWED ME A PICTURE OF A HOLE IN MY MOTOR DUE TO OVERHEATING. ON APR. 24TH, 2019 I CALLED KIA AND THEY HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. 2 DAYS LATER I RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING MY REPAIR HAS BEEN DENIED DUE TO MY CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. NEVER ON MY LETTER DID IT INDICATE MY CAR NEEDED A WARRANTY NOR DID THEY MENTION THAT IT WAS NEEDED WHEN THEY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET, NOT ONLY IS MY PROBLEMS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BUT NOR HAS MY SAFETY. I SHOULD BE TREATED WITH CAR CONSIDERING MY ENGINE BUSTED AND I HAD A GREAT CHANCE OF MY CAR CATCHING ON FIRE. NOT ONLY THAT BUT HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO REPLACE AN ENGINE IF ALL OF THE ENGINES ARE HAVING ABNORMAL COMBUSTION? THIS IS SO DISAPPOINTING AND I WILL TAKE LEGAL MATTERS IF NOT ADDRESSED. THEY ARE NOW STATING I HAVE TO PAY TO GET MY CAR TOWED BACK TO MY APARTMENT AND I AM FURIOUS. PLEASE HELP ME. I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] OR BY CALLING [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

  20. Steering, Apr 25, 2019

    MY 2012 KIA SOUL STEERING STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO FELT LOOSE . THE VEHICLE HAS 81,465 MILES ON IT. I FIRST NOTICED IT YESTERDAY. I BROUGHT THE SOUL TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE STEERING COUPLING HAD FAILED (FP# 56315-2K000FFF). COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $432.60 AFTER THE KIA DEALERSHIP APPLIED A 15% COSTCO DISCOUNT. THE PART IS ONLY $7 BUT IT'S THE LABOR THAT INCREASES THE COST OF THE REPAIR. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM TO NHTSA. ANOTHER KIA VEHICLE (I BELIEVE THE OPTIMA) USES THE SAME COUPLER AND THAT VEHICLE HAS A RECALL NOTICE. THE 2012 SOUL USES THE SAME COUPLER AS THE RECALLED VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. ANY 2012 SOUL THAT USES THIS COUPLING SHOULD BE RECALLED. LOSS OF STEERING COULD HAPPEN IF THIS COUPLING FAILS COMPLETELY. THE COUPLING THAT FAILED IN MY 2012 SOUL FELT SOFT AND COULD BE EASILY BE SQUEEZED. THE NEW COUPLING THAT REPLACED IT FELT MUCH HARDER. APPARENTLY, THE NEW COUPLING IS MADE FROM A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE FAILED COUPLING. THIS COUPLING SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.

  21. Steering, Apr 19, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO AND OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO BILL BRYANT KIA (9039 US-441, LEESBURG, FL 34788), BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO LEAVE SINCE SHE DID NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

  22. Engine, Apr 15, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. ABELOFF NISSAN (LOCATED AT 3259 PA-611, BARTONSVILLE, PA 1832, (877) 608-0091) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

  23. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 10, 2019

    FIRST 2 TIMES CAR DIDN'T START ON INITIAL TRY, CAR STARTED, TACH DIAL WASN'T FUNCTIONING AND CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO MORE THAN 25 MPH. CAR TAKEN TO KIA WHERE THEY SAID CAR WAS FINE BUT NEEDED FUEL INHECTORS CLEANED AND A SERPENTINE BELT. 2 WEEKS LATER CAR STALLS AT STOP LIGHT, TACH DIAL NOT FUNCTIONING AND CAR DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE PAST 25 MPH. CALLED KIA THEY WERE CLOSING AND WOULD CALL BACK, NEVER DID. 1 WEEK LATER AT STOP LIGHT AGAIN AND CAR STALLS, RESTART, TACH DIAL NOT FUNCTIONING, CAR DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. TAKEN TO KIA WHERE SCANNER WAS PUT ON AND STATED ALL WAS FINE, EVEN THOUGH THE TACH STILL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND ALL WAS FINE.....

  24. Steering, Apr 4, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

  25. Steering, Apr 1, 2019

    I CAN FEEL SLACK PLAY IN THE UPPER STEERING THAT MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN STATIONARY, MOVING, IN TOWN OR ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO ON INTERSTATE WHEN I REACH APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END STARTS AND INCREASES WITH SPEED. IT GETS TO AN INTENSITY THAT I DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING OVER SIXTYFIVE MPH