2014 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 902 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 34 involved a crash and 69 involved a fire. 30 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalFeb 18, 2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.
Campaign 22V096000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 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
SteeringSep 29, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Campaign 17V608000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalMar 2, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
Campaign 15V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
590 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Apr 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY KIA (921 S MILWAUKEE AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 19, 2018, fire
MY KIA SOUL 2014 JUST BLEW UP AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS A 4 CYLINDER GDI. THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE ENGINE BLEW LOUD AND AS I CAME TO A HALT THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THEN THE GAS TANK EXPLODED. I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING UP A HIP NOTICED THE ENGINE RIVETING HARD AND THEN THE CAR ENGINE MADE THAT LOUD BANG AND THEN IN 12 MINUTES CAR WAS ENGULFED AND GAS TANK BLEW AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED.
Engine, Nov 14, 2017
11/10/17: DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY MY VECHICLE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND STALLED DURING DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS ON THE RT HAND SIDE AND MADE IT TO PULL OVER. GOT MY CAR TOLD AND MECHANIC TOLD ME MY ENGINE SEIZED. HE ALSO TOLD ME THIS WASN'T THE FIRST 2014 KIA SOUL THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. TOOK ME BY SURPRISE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER MISSED AN OIL CHANGE. I CALLED KIA AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT.
Power train, Engine, Nov 4, 2017
2014 KIA SOUL BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. HAVE TO REFILL OIL ONE A WEEK. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER MISSED AN OIL CHANGE. 100,XXX MILES. STARTED AT 80,XXX MILES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 31, 2017, fire
ON 10/25/2017 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2014 KIA SOUL CAUGHT ON FIRE - SPONTANEOUSLY AND WITHOUT WARNING (NO APPARENT ISSUES IN OPERATING THE CAR, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ETC.). TWO FELLOW MOTORISTS HONKED THEIR HORNS AND FLASHED THEIR LIGHTS IN AN EFFORT TO SIGNAL ME. THE BACK WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO 'FOG UP' DUE TO THE HEAT/FIRE, AND WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. IN AN EFFORT TO ESCAPE THIS EMERGENCY, I ALONG WITH MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING, IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MOVED A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY BEFORE CALLING 911. AT THIS POINT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM BOTH UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS SOON ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MULTIPLE FIRE ENGINES RESPONDED TO THE SCENE IN EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE AND SECURING THE SCENE. THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS (SEE PICTURES ATTACHED IN THE REPORT). IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT MY 2014 KIA SOUL WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP BETWEEN 10/17/2017 - 10/19/2017 FOR DIAGNOSTICS DUE TO LIGHTS (INTERNAL AND ON THE DASH) FLICKERING AND AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE BATTERY, PERFORMED A SAFETY INSPECTION, BUT WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE FLICKERING LIGHTS ISSUE, NOR WERE THEY ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE ABNORMAL SOUND ALTHOUGH THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE ITS PRESENCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO ME AND ADVISED ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. MY CAR WAS BROUGHT HOME, PARKED, AND NOT DRIVEN UNTIL THE INCIDENT ON 10/25/2017.
Engine, Jul 28, 2017
ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE CAR WAS MOVING IN BOULEVARD TRAFFIC, DECELERATING AS I APPROACHED A TURN INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA. OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. MECHANIC SAYS THERE ARE LOOSE LITTLE PIECES OF METAL INSIDE ENGINE AND THAT ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. I HAVE FOLLOWED ALL MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE. THIS ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE SELF-DESTRUCTED AT 93,000 MILES. I AM FILING THIS INFO WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I SUSPECT THAT PREVIOUS KIA ENGINE RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THIS MODEL ALSO.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 21, 2017
CAR RANDOMLY START VIBRATING, MISFIRING, AND IT WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO TURN ON FROM A COLD START. THE THE ENGINE FAILED, SENT IT OUT TO THE DEALER TO WORK ON IT UNDER WARRANTY, AND WE'VE HAD AN OPEN CASE SINCE. THEN RECENTLY MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION ON ITS OWN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IS HIGHLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Engine, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SKID LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
Engine, Aug 13, 2015
SOUL+ HAS ROTTEN EGG/EXHAUST SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN AS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. CANNOT BE DRIVEN WITH WINDOWS ALL THE WAY UP. DOESN'T MATTER IF AC/HEAT IS ON OR OFF. PERIODICALLY, SMELL COMES AND GOES AS IT IS DRIVEN. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS SURFACE STREETS OR HIGHWAY DRIVING...ALTHOUGH IT IS MORE PREVALENT AT 70+MPH. IRRITATES MY ASTHMA...LUNGS HURT AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES AND COUGHING PERSISTS ACCOMPANIED BY A HEADACHE. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. IT WAS TAKEN IN TO BE SERVICED AND THE TECH TOLD ME TO USE ONLY TOP TIER FUELS. I HAVE USED THEM EXCLUSIVELY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS...SEEMS EVEN WORSE. APPEARS TO BE A LEAK IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BEFORE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND/OR A BLOCKED CAT. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT THREE HOURS AWAY TO VISIT FAMILY A MONTH AGO AND HAD TO KEEP THE WINDOWS DOWN OR MY DAUGHTER WOULD COMPLAIN OF THE SMELL. SINCE THIS HAS STARTED, THERE IS ALSO A MUSTY/DAMP SMELL WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. VEHICLE IS GOING BACK IN TOMORROW MORNING. VEHICLE HAS APP. 7500 MILES ON IT...SO RELATIVELY NEW.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 30, 2015, fire
TAKING A DAY TRIP TO THE CRAYOLA FACTORY, WE WERE 10 MILES FROM OUR DESTINATION WHEN WE FIRST SMELLED SMOKE THEN SAW IT COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS AND FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. I FIRST CHECKED THE GAUGES TO SEE IF IT WAS OVER HEATED, NOTHING. POPPED THE HOOD AND THAT'S WHEN WE REALIZED IT WAS ON FIRE. WE RACED TO GET THE 2 SMALL KIDS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AS THE FLAMES WERE STARTING TO OVER TAKE THE FRONT HOOD. WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE THE KIDS AND GET FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE BUT 3 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS GUTTED. NOTHING BUT METAL LEFT ON THE INSIDE. WE HAD NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, NO ENGINE LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING - JUST SMELLED AND THEN SAW SMOKE. WE WERE LUCKY WE HAD A PLACE TO PULL OFF ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE POLICE OFFICER THAT I'M LUCKY THAT I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OPENED THE DOORS BEFORE THE LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED AS HE HAS SEEN IN OTHER KIA CARS. MY HOPE IS THAT KIA CAN FIND THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE AND DO A RECALL BEFORE ANYONE ELSE IS FACED WITH THIS NIGHTMARE. I REPORTED IT TO KIA VIA SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT THEY SEEMED MORE CONCERNED ON HOW TO TAKE MY PICTURES OFF RATHER THAN FIX THE ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Nov 18, 2014, crash
I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE LIGHT WAS GREEN AND TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WAS MOVING. I MUST HAVE TAKE MY EYES OFF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE GREEN LIGHT FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS AND WHEN I LOOKED AHEAD THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED AT THE TURNING LIGHT AND I RAN INTO THE BACK OF IT. NEVER EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO HIT THE BRAKES. MY CAR HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HALF BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Aug 18, 2014, fire
WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. WE PULLED OFF HIGHWAY TO LOOK AT A TOURIST ATTRACTION. NO INDICATION WHATSOEVER THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. PARKED, TURNED CAR OFF. GOT OUT. GLANCED BACK AT THE CAR AND SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOON THERE WERE FLAMES DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH FRONT END (LOOKED LIKE MELTING PLASTIC). CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WITHIN 1 MINUTE FLAMES WERE JUMPING UP ON INTERIOR (DASH AREA) AND EXTERIOR (UNDER HOOD). GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM NEARBY BUSINESS, BUT WITH HOOD CLOSED, DID NOT HELP. WITHIN 4 MINUTES ENTIRE FRONT END AND FRONT INTERIOR WERE ENGULFED IN ENORMOUS FLAMES. MANY POPPING NOISES (EXPLOSIONS). FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. ENTIRE FRONT END OF CAR MELTED TO THE GROUND. I SHOULD NOTE THAT WHILE WE LEFT THE CAR UNLOCKED WHEN WE GOT OUT, THE DOORS LOCKED THEMSELVES DURING THE FIRE, AND THE KEY FOB WAS INOPERABLE (LOCK ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR WERE FRIED). HAD A PERSON OR PET BEEN IN THE CAR, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. MY HUSBAND CUT HIS FACE DURING THIS, BUT DID NOT SEEK A DOCTOR. ALL PERSONAL ITEMS IN THE CAR ARE SEVERELY DAMAGED BY SMOKE. *TR
Engine, Jul 29, 2014
UNDER NORMAL AND MILD ACCELERATION, THERE IS NOTICEABLE HESITATION AND POWER LOSS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP; MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN SHIFTING OCCURS FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH GEARS. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 7, 2014
I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WHICH STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TOO AND THEN THERE IS VERY LITTLE POWER IN 1, 2,AND 3RD GEARS THIS IS A MANUAL TRANS. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE SIDE BECAUSE OF PULLING FROM A STOP SIGH AND WENT TO GO AND LOOKED DOWN LIGHT WAS ON AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. ITS VERY HARD TO GET A STICK SHIFT CAR TO START OUT IN 4TH GEAR. KIA SAYS THEY WANT ME HAPPY BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE CAR INSTEAD OFFERING FREE OIL CHANGES AND OTHER ITEMS BUT I WANT A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE NOT OTHER ITEMS. *TR