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: exterior lighting
130 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Oct 7, 2025
Headlights seem to flicker off and on while using turn signals. Dash lights will brighten during the incident as well.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2025
Flickering lights on off while driving at night turn signal triggers it and does it randomly
Exterior lighting, Sep 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night, the front passenger’s side low-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that while activating the high-beam headlights, the driver’s side high-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side headlight assemblies had overheated and melted. The headlight assemblies and light bulbs were replaced but the failure eventually reoccurred. The contact stated that the light bulbs and headlight assemblies were replaced on several occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night at 45–50 MPH, the headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over, and the headlights returned to operation but were flickering. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the connectors had melted and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA ID Number: 10170778 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2023
Since September 2015 the car Headlamps malfunctioned. I made several trips to the Dealer and was told they are not able to duplicate my complaint. Presently while driving the headlights will go off and by bumping the multi-Function light switch, they would come back on. Please see attached letter & service detail that was sent to Kia without resolution.
Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2022
My headlights flicker or shut off intermittently when driving at night. Sometimes it seems to be associated with using my turn signal. Sometimes it seems to be associated with going from dim to bright headlights. I took my car to the dealer who said that KIA has an extended warranty to cover this repair. But when the dealer's service department could not reproduce the situation in the shop, then said KIA would not pay for the repair. I contacted KIA consumer affairs and was given a case number (14989817). After two weeks I finally was contacted and the policy was repeated by KIA. I explained that the problem was intermittent but they would not do anything on their end because the dealer could not diagnose the issue in shop.
Exterior lighting, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated she noticed that the driver’s side brake light bulb was inoperable. The bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2022
Driver's side headlight flickering on and off at times. Inspected wiring and it looks like the harness socket is burning out. It looks like this is a common problem with this car and can prove to be a safety issue if your lights go out while driving
Exterior lighting, Mar 6, 2022
2014 Kia Soul: Noticed some pretty dim headlights. In checking them out the lens over the headlight has orange peal cracking. On the inside. Took it to Kia dealer where I bought it with a 10 year bumper to bumper insurance policy. They told me it is not covered. To go ahead and call myself and find out. Still waiting for an answer. This is a definite safety issue. I only have 35,112 miles on it. Not happy...
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2021
My dash lights would flash bright and dim randomly while driving at first. A few weeks later my headlights would flicker from high beam to low beam and dash lights would still flicker. Now about a month into this my headlights still flicker but they have even turned off all while driving and I was told my brake lights go off as well ,dash lights still flicker and my a/c will not work/blow randomly so it seems to be involving electrical .
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 25, 2021
The vehicle had a strange smell ever since we got it a few years back. Earlier in the month, the headlight and dashlight would flicker with the turn signal. We looked it up and set up an apppointment with a local Kia dealership for recall on this issue. Then this week, the engine suddenly quit while the car was parked. The vehicle wouldn't start at all. Kia was notified and they said that there was another recall on engine SC200 on this vehicle that was just announced earlier this year. Online lookup also revealed that the smell issue can be from burning oil or a leak into catalytic converter. Other Kia cars from the same years have also said to have had these issues. Then an OBD II check showed the codes 7E8 and 7E9 which has been noted online by other customers as engine problem recall for which Kia has replaced their engine free of charge.
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2021
IN THE PAST YEAR FROM FEB LAST YEAR TILL TODAY I HAVE BOUGHT 2 SET OF LIGHTBULBS. THE 1ST SET LASTED A YEAR THE 2ND SET I BOUGHT 2/1/21 AND IT JUST BURNT OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT BUYING CHEAP BULBS EITHER.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 7, 2021
KNOCKING NOISES FOR LONG TIME. SCRAPING NOISE. LIGHTING DIM AND FLASES. NOISE TUNNEL CAUSING AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS. BURNING SMELL. LEAKING OIL
Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONNECTOR MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ANDERSON, 5281 US-76, PENDLETON, SC 29670, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTION THAT THE HIGHT AND LOW BEAM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY CONSTANTLY HAD TO REPLACED THE BULB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Jan 3, 2021
AT ACCELERATION SUDDENLY BOGGED OUT. TURNS OUT TO BE THE 02 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER HEATED, BURNT OUT NEWLY REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF O2 SENSORS REPLACED. MASTER MECHANIC SAYS ALL DUE OVER HEATING FROM EXHAUST.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 30, 2020
WHEN USING A TURN SIGNAL WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, ONCE THE TURN SIGNAL RELEASES, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND OFTEN GO OUT COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS IN TOWN, AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NECESSARY.
Exterior lighting, Nov 23, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2014 KIA SOUL HAVE BEEN FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO A DEALERSHIP BUT AFTER BEING CHARGED THE 80$ DIAGNOSTIC FEE, I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE BATTERING TERMINAL CONNECTOR. THE ISSUE IS STILL ONGOING EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE NEGATVE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS IS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS MANUFACTURER. WHEN IS KIA GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND DO A RECALL?
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ACTIVATED, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUOUSLY FLICKERED CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER DENNIS DILLON KIA LOCATED AT 9501 WEST FAIRVIEW AVENUE ' SUITE. B, BOISE, ID 83704, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2020
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OR GO OFF WITH NO WARNING. IN ADDITION, ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DISPLAYS FLICKER AT THE SAME TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STOPPED. THE RADIO AND COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM DO NOT APPEAR TO BE IMPACTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, AND TONIGHT THEY WENT BLACK AND STAYED OFF UNTIL I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF MY CAR, THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT RETURNING MY CALLS TO TELL ME IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, UNDER RECALL, OR MY RESPONSIBILITY.
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILING TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES WITH THE FAILURE RECURRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WINN KIA OF FREMONT (5633 JOHN MUIR DR, NEWARK, CA 94560) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VIN, AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR OCT 14 ,2020. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE COULD BE A FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2014 KIA SOUL FLICKER WHEN TURNED ON. THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN I USE THE TURN SIGNALS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL REMEDIED BY KIA. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE SO FAR ONLY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN..
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2020
IF YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS THEY LIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES JUST GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHICH AT NIGHT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHILE DOING THIS AND IT CAN BE ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN TURNING OR JUST GOING STRAIGHT
Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2020
HEADLIGHTS ON THE LIGHTS START FLICKERING WHEN I BEGIN TO PULLOUT INTO THE MAIN STREET.WENT TO TURN AND HAD THE TURN SIGNAL ON AND HEADLIGHTS STARTS FLICKERING AGAIN. TOLD MY SON HE SAID IT HAPPENED TO HIM SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT A WEEK AGO.
Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2020
WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER OR GO OFF. IN ADDITION, ALL INTERIOR NIGHT LIGHTS AND DISPLAYS GO BLACK. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE STATIONARY. THE RADIO AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT GO OFF SO THIS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT BUT THIS IS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY NEEDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY.
Exterior lighting, Aug 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAYTONA KIA (510 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114), AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE MAY BE WITH THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE LEFT THE DEALER ON HER WAY TO HER RESIDENCE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.