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.
Air bags, Jun 30, 2012, crash
TWO OCCUPANTS IN FRONT SEATS OF 2012 KIA SOUL. INVOLVED IN A PASSENGER SIDE COLLISION AT THE FRONT DOOR. OTHER CAR WAS TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF 40MPH OR GREATER AT THE TIME OF COLLISION. CAUSED MORE THAN $8500 TO THE KIA SOUL. THERE WAS NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *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
Power train, May 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED ALL OF THE DOORS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE FEATURE WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
Wheels, May 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE TIRE FAILED. THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A REPAIR KIT INSTEAD OF A SPARE TIRE. THE REPAIR KIT WAS FIX-A-FLAT AND A DC AIR PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WERE AWARE THAT SOME VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE SPARE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7200.
Visibility, Apr 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THE BLOWER, WHICH OPERATED THE AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER, MALFUNCTIONED. THE WINDOWS DID NOT DEFROST AND IMPAIRED THE FIELD OF VISION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UNDER WIRE CABLE AND THE BLOWER SYSTEM, BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 05/21/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 05/23/12
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 8, 2012
OPERATIONAL WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKES-STABILITY CONTROL-ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. I HAVE RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX. THIS CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN.I.E. DO THESE SYSTEMS FUNCTION AS REQUIRED WHEN DRIVING CONDITIONS PRESENT THEMSELVES. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE UPHILL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Exterior lighting, Mar 18, 2012
I POSTED A COMPLAINT EARLIER WITH THE BLINKER AND HEADLIGHT NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER 3/17/12 IT WAS A LOOSE GROUND THEY FIXED IT AND I THANK GOD IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 14, 2012
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TURNED RIGHT BLINKER ON TO MAKE TURN AND NOTICED THE BLINKER ARROW IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYED ON.WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND BLINKER AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE THE HEADLIGHT AND BLINKER WERE NOT WORKING .I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT .I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 24 HOURS I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS .I AM PRAYING IT IS JUST SOMETHING SIMPLE . *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 6, 2012, crash
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA SOUL IN NOV OF 2011. WITHIN 200 MILES OF OWNERSHIP, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND FALSELY ACTIVATED. THE ESC NOT ONLY FALSELY ACTIVATED BUT REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND COULD ONLY BE TURNED IF CONSIDERABLE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO IT. I CAREFULLY PULLED OVER THE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED IT BACK UP HOPING THE ESC WOULD TURN OFF. IT DID NOT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY DEALER. THE KIA DEALER SERVICE SHOP ULTIMATELY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND ATTEMPTED TO DO A LANE CHANGE. AGAIN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FALSELY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE ESC ACTIVATED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND CAUSED A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT. THESE ARE JUST 2 OF MANY INCIDENTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2012
NOT SURE IF MODEL IS 2012 OR 2011. A KIA SOUL WAS IN FRONT OF ME AT A STOP LIGHT. THE STOP LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE SO BRIGHT AS TO ALMOST BLIND ME. IS THERE A NATIONAL STANDARD THAT LIMITS THE MAXIMUM LIGHT ON BRAKE TAILLIGHTS? *TR
Power train, Dec 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RECURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR A VEHICLE THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 860.
Structure, Tires, Equipment, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Oct 22, 2011
THE 2012 KIA SOUL DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE, INSTEAD IT COMES WITH A CAN OF FIX- A- FLAT AND A AIR PUMP. THERE IS NO JACK EITHER. THE FLAT MAY BE FIXED IF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE TREAD AND THE HOLE IS UNDER 1/4 INCH IN DIAMETER. IF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE SIDEWALL OR GREATER THAN 1/4 INCH, THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO CELL PHONE OR ARE IN AN AREA THAT GETS NO RECEPTION THEY WILL BE STRANDED UNTIL ANOTHER MOTORIST COMES ALONG AND THESE DAYS MOST MOTORISTS DON'T STOP FOR OTHER DRIVERS. KIA OFFERS ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT IF YOU ARE TRAVELING IN A REMOTE AREA, IN THE SOUTHWEST (LIKE DEATH VALLEY FOR EXAMPLE) WHAT DO YOU DO WITHOUT A SPARE? IF YOUR CELL PHONE QUITS, YOU'RE DONE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE AAA, THEIR DRIVER WILL HAVE TO TOW THE VEHICLE AS HE WON'T HAVE A SPARE EITHER. I PURCHASED A SPARE,JACK, AND TOOLS FOR A 2011 KIA SOUL WHEN I REALIZED I HAD NO SPARE.KIA TOLD ME THAT ALL THE MANUFACTURES HAVE GONE TO THE FIX- A -FLAT AND PUMP VERSES THE DONUT SPARE AND JACK. THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF ANGRY PEOPLE WHEN THEY START REALIZING THEY DON'T HAVE A SPARE AND THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND CAN'T GET A CELL SIGNAL. MY CONCERN IS TRAVELING AT NIGHT IN REMOTE AREAS AND BECOMING PRAY TO OTHER MOTORIST WITH NOT SO GOOD INTENTIONS. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIAL DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. MOST DRIVERS DON'T CHECK FOR A SPARE WHEN THEY BUY A NEW VEHICLE, THEY JUST ASSUME IT HAS ONE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TREND. IF NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS AT LEAST LOOK INTO MAKING KIA PROVIDE A DISCLAIMER BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SOLD. I FOUND OUT AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *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