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, Nov 20, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WITH MUCH "PLAY" IN STEERING AND A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING LOCK. THIS HAPPENS BOTH STATIONARY WITH THE CAR ON IN PARK AND WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE HAD ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION CHECKED AND IT IS NOT APPARENTLY THE ISSUE. APPARENTLY THE STEERING SHAFT BECOMES LOOSE WHERE IT IS COUPLED WITH THE STEERING GEAR/RACK. THIS LOOSE STEERING IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHEN STEERING AROUND CURVES THE CAR STEERING ACTUALLY PULLS ON THE ROAD SO I NOW GO MUCH SLOWER AROUND CURVES THAN IS POSTED ON SPEED SIGNS TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GO OVER UNEVEN ROADS OR BUMPS THE CAR ALSO SHIFTS AND PULLS AS I DO NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. WHEN I BRAKE AT SPEEDS OVER ABOUT 40MPH I NOTICE THAT THERE IS ALSO THIS SAME PLAY IN THE STEERING SO I MAKE SURE I AM CONSIDERABLY A FAR DISTANCE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP SLOWLY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 KIA SOUL AND HAVE NOTICED UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE THAT THE KIA OPTIMA HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY RECALLED FOR REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL AS MY KIA DEALER WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS OVER THE WARRANTY MILES THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO REGARDING REPAIRS.
Steering, Nov 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWN KIA (5500 34TH ST N, ST PETERSBURG, FL 33714 (727) 525-5785). THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS WAITING TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Steering, Nov 8, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. I NOTICED THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ISSUED FOR THE STEERING BUT NOT YET FOR THE 2012. DON'T YOU THINK THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM? I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT LIKE THIS. THE NOISE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND ON AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING, AND HAS A LOT OF "PLAY" IN THE WHEEL WHEN MOVING! PLEASE HELP!!
Steering, Oct 29, 2017
STEERING COLUMN MAKING POPPING SOUND. HAS SOME PLAY. IS SAME DESCRIPTION AS THOSE FILE FOR THE 2013VTO 2015 MODEL YEAR WHERE THE YOKE NUT IS LOOSE ALLOWING THE RACK AND PINION TO SEPERATE. HAPPENS BOTH DURING STATIONARY AND MOTION MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE
Steering, Oct 26, 2017
MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE, AND YOU CAN FEEL IT. I AM TAKING IT TO BE FIXED, BUT I NOTICED A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY MODEL YEAR. SHOULD IT THOUGH?
Power train, Sep 3, 2017, crash
I STOPPED MY CAR AT TOP OF MY STEEP DRIVEWAY,PULLED UP EMERGENCY BRAKE,PUT CAR IN PARK BUT LEFT CAR RUNNING TO LISTEN TO SONG ON RADIO. I SAW A PROBLEM IN MY YARD,OPENE THE DOOR, TOOK CARE OF PROBLEM THEN GOT PARTIALLU BACK IN THE CAR TO CUT OFF ENGINE. AS SOON AS I SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS, STILL IN PARK WITH THE EMERGNCY BRAKE UP AND MY LEFT LEG DRAGGING THE GROUND AS IT ROLLED ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO MY NEIGHBORS BEDROOM. IT IS A VERY COSTLY ACCIDENT. ALL WAS FINE UNTIL I CUT OFF THE ENGINE SO I THINK THAT CUTTING OFF THE ENGINE CAUSE A GLITCH IN THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO CAUSE IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL SHOWING IN PARK.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2017
DRIVING MY CAR ABOUT 65 MPH DOWN A LONG STRETCH HIGHWAY IN THE WOODS HEARD THIS LOUD NOISE SAW BLACK IN THE RIGHT UPPER SIDE OF MY WIND SHIELD. THOUGHT I HIT A BLACK BIRD SAFELY PULLED OVER GOT OUT SAW NO BLOOD ON THE CAR OR FEATHERS. LOOKED CLOSER A BLACK PLASTIC MOLD HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE LOUD NOISY GOT IN MY CAR WENT BACK DOWN THE ROAD AND LOCATED IT WAS BROKE UP PRETTY GOOD. COME HOME DID SOME RESEARCH IT IS CALLED A PILLAR. IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THEIR WAS NO REASON THE PILLAR SHOULD HAVE BECOME DETACHED . WHEN I DID MY RESEARCH I NOTICED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE NOT JUST ME.
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.
Steering, Jul 7, 2017
TOOK A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR MADE A CLANK NOISE. NOW WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS THIS CLANKING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL LEFT AND MY STEERING WHEEL FEELS REALLY LOOSE. THE WHEEL CAN TURN SOME BEFORE THE CAR STARTS TURNING. KIA RECALLED 2014 AND 2015 FOR THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE WERE LOSING CONTROL AND CRASHING. I AM PAYING FOR THIS CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PARK IT BUT I AM AFRAID I WILL LOOSE MY STEERING. WHY ISN'T ALL OF THE SOULS BEING RECALLED? I HAVE SEEN WHERE THERE ARE 10 STEERING COMPLAINTS. ISN'T ONE TO MANY? ESPECIALLY SINCE THE 2014-2015S HAD THESE PROBLEMS. WHY DIDN'T THEY GO BACK FARTHER?
Steering, Jul 7, 2017
THE STEERING COLUMN "CLUNKS" WHEN TURNED AND WHEN DRIVEN ON UNEVEN ROADS. IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS BUT I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER CV JOINT MOUNT.
Steering, Jul 5, 2017
I OWN A 2012 KIA SOUL. I KNOW A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR A STEERING PROBLEM FOR 2013-15. MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A POP AND MY STEERING IS LOOSE. WE CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM ON THEIR CARS. MINE NOW HAS IT. IT SHOULD BE FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE LIKE THEY DID THE OTHERS. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN THE POP HAPPENED AND THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING. WE HAVE HARDLY BEEN DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID. THE PROBLEM IS REALLY BAD IF YOU TRY TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT.
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.
Steering, May 31, 2017
STEERING WHEEL / COLUMN LOOSE AND LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A HISTORICAL PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SOUL AS PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION/COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND KIA. WAITING TO SEE WHAT CORAL SPRINGS KIA WILL DO TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. 31,000 MILES ON VEHICLE 2012 KIA SOUL.
Structure, May 8, 2017
5/6/2016 TRAVELING ON 2ND RD APPRX SPEED 35 MPH, HOOD FLEW UP HIT WINDSHIELD LACK OF TRAFFIC AVOIDED COLLISION. ALMOST 1 YEAR TO DAY LATER ON FREEWAY ENTRY RAMP I-65 NASHVILLE TN, 5PM TRAFFIC, APPRX 45MPH.. 1ST EPISODE HAD LEFT HOME AND ONLY ON ROAD FOR A FEW MINTUES SO ASSUMED WAS SOMETHING WE HAD DONE TO UNLATCH HOOD. 2ND EPISODE WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING FOR 3 HOURS ALREADY SO THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THIS.. WE TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER WHERE PURCHASED CAR WHEN WE RETURNED TO JACKSON TENNESSEE AND THEY EXAMINED AND SHOW IT IS A BROKEN LATCH (OBVIOUSLY) BUT THEY DID NOT FEEL WAS THEIR CONCERN. AS THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR KIA SEDONA FOR HOOD LATCH DEFECTS, IT IS A MAJOR CONCERN TO ME THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO TO AVOID INJURY OR DEATH OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL
Steering, May 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS NOT OPERABLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2017
REAR CAMERA DISABLED WHEN WASHED
Exterior lighting, Apr 19, 2017
REAR VIEW CAMERA IS INOPERATIVE AFTER SPRY WASH.
Steering, Mar 1, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A VEHICLE IN FRONT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER MERGED ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE DRIVER OF THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT WAS IMPACTED ALSO SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE FIRST VEHICLE SUSTAINED SHOCK TRAUMA AND THE CHILD SEATED IN THE REAR SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES IN THE SECOND VEHICLE. ALL INJURED OCCUPANTS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE IT CURRENTLY WAS PENDING AN INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASHES, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT POSSIBLY ENCOUNTERED AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOW OUT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT ABNORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Feb 13, 2017
CLICKING IN THE STEERLING WHEEL. PULLING AND JIGGLING (NO IT'S NOT THE ALIGNMENT)
Steering, Dec 13, 2016
I HAVE 80000 MILES ON MY 2012 KIA SOUL AND THE STEERING COLUMN IS VERY NOISY AND SEEMS TO BE ON THE VERGE OF DISINTEGRATING AND LEAVING ME WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH IT BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT SINCE IT OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
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.
Steering, Oct 19, 2016
DEFECTIVE STEERING FLEXIBLE COUPLER. CAUSED MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOOSEN UP.
Steering, Oct 16, 2016
STEERING IS MAKING A BANGING NOISE AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING LOOSE. GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY. THIS IS MOST PROFOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS STANDING STILL AND YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.