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 10, 2018
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT OR FLICKER WHENEVER I USE TURN SIGNAL WHEN I'M STOPPED AND PUT TURN SIGNAL ON OR WHEN I'M DRIVING AND PUT THE TURN SIGNAL ON. I'VE ONLY NOTICED THIS WHEN DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS, FREEWAYS IN MY AREA ARE WELL LIT SO I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN CHANGING LANES
Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2018
WHEN THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH CONTROLLING THE HEADLAMPS IS IN AUTOMATIC MODE, THE HEADLAMPS WILL SWITCH OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS SOMETIMES HAPPEN WHEN TURNING ON A BLINKER WHILE TURNING, BUT SOMETIMES JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND THE LIGHTS GO OFF LEAVING ME DRIVING BLIND FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS ON THE ROAD. THE LIST OF BAD THINGS THE COULD HAPPEN IS ENDLESS: HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR CYCLIST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; HAVE SOMEONE PULL OUT NOT SEEING ME COMING, VEER OR BRAKE UNEXPECTEDLY DUE THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHTS GOING OFF, YOU NAME IT. KIA APPEARS TO HAVE ISSUES A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TOPIC CONCERNING DEFECTIVE LIGHTING CONNECTIONS, BUT, THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED SEEMED UNAWARE OF IT. MULTIPLE POSTS ON LINE SHOW THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL STATE KIA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL AND WILL ONLY PAY FOR A BULLETIN ITEM IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN WARRANTY, WHICH MINE IS NOT. THIS IS A HIGHLY UNSAFE SITUATION AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL TO BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS ONLINE ARTICLE DETAILS THE ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/2014-2015-KIA-SOUL-HEADLIGHT-ISSUE-1420683403693/ KIA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2018
HEADLIGHTS KEEP RANDOMLY FLICKERING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. STARTED OUT JUST WHEN I HAD MY LIGHTS ON AUTO AND HAD THE TURN SIGNALS ON. LAST NIGHT THEY WENT OUT ON THEIR OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK ROAD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2018
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WHEN I FIRST TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT IS USUALLY FAST ON/OFF FLICKERING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. MOST TIMES THE CAR IS IN PARK BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BECOME WORSE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2018
HEAD LIGHT BULBS ON BOTH SIDE KEEP BURNING OUT OR WILL GO OUT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. PIG TAIL TO THE LIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE ISSUE. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COST ME TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN IT IS APPARENTLY A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM. THIS OCCURS DURING STATIONARY MODES AND TRAVELING MODE. ON BACK ROADS WITH NO LIGHTING THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND GO OFF DOME TIMES THEY COME BACK ON AND SOME TIMES THEY STAY OFF ALSO HAVE HAD THE DASH LIGHTS GO OFF WITH IT IT HAS HAPPENED ON SIDE STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY IT HAS HAPPEN STOPED AT A STOP SIGN I HAVE HAD IT TO THE KIA DEALER BUT THEY CAN'T FIND A THING WRONG WITH IT
Exterior lighting, Sep 1, 2018
HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASH OFF AND BACK ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED BUT ALSO HAPPENS WITHOUT. THIS CAN SOMETIMES BE CORRECTED BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON MANUALLY. ALL OF THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING NEEDLESS TO SAY AND SHOULD CERTAINLY BE A RECALL ITEM.
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2018
RARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT BUT HAD TO. THE EXTERIOR FRONT LIGHTS FLICKERED AND MOMENTARILY WENT OFF TWICE. THERE WAS A DEEP DITCH EXTENDED TO ABOUT 1/2 A LANE WITH THE OTHER LANE CLOSED. IF THE LIGHTS REMAINED OFF, WOULDN'T HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR. SAME NIGHT - THE USB PORT STOPPED WORKING BUT CAME ON AGAIN NEXT MORNING. THIS IS BEYOND DANGEROUS AND FURTHER MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN IF IT'S NOT RESOLVED BY KIA.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 10, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND SOMETIMES GO OFF RANDOMLY. THIS HAS NOW BEGUN TO OCCUR WHILE THE CAR IS ALSO PARKED. THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT AND A HUGE SAFETY RISK.
Exterior lighting, Aug 7, 2018
HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT SUDDENLY. THIS HAPPENS BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. ALSO UPON STARTING THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING EVEN A SHORT DISTANCE. RANDOM ACTUALLY. VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND THEN COMPLETELY TURN OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INADVERTENTLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 2, 2018
WHEN I DRIVE MY SOUL IN THE DARK WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON THEY START FLICKERING AND THEN THEY JUST GO COMPLETELY OUT. SOMETIMES IT'S SMALL FLICKERING AND SOMETIMES IT IS COMPLETELY OUT AND DONT COME BACK ON FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. TODAY I HAD TO TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON TWICE BEFORE THEY WOULD COME BACK ON AT ALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN IT IS DARK. ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON A CURVY 2 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE DARK LIKE I DO. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED WHEN I USED MY TURN SIGNAL, BUT NOW I DONT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AND THEY FLICKER AND THEN GO ON AND OFF.
Exterior lighting, Aug 2, 2018
DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND WILL GO OUT COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, AND DOES NOT DEPEND ON SPEED. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT TWICE. THE SECOND TIME I NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT ATTACHES TO THE BULB ITSELF IS STARTING TO MELT.
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2018
TESTED DEFICIENCY ON MULTIPLE CONDITIONS (CAR MOVING, STATIONARY, ENGINE RUNNING AND ENGINE OFF, HIGHWAY AND CITY ROADS) AND NOTHING CHANGED THE LIGHT BEHAVIOR. DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ONLY. INITIALLY FLICKERED ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES TOGGLING BRIGHTS ON AND OFF WOULD HELP AT FIRST. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. AFTER LIGHT STOPPED WORKING, I CHANGED BOTH BULBS. LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN DIED ALTOGETHER. CALLED SHAWNEE MISSION KIA, IN OVERLAND PARK, KS AND SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER JOE. HE STATED HE WAS NOT PERSONALLY FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE, BUT THAT SOME OF HIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES MIGHT BE. I TOLD HIM THERE WERE 132 COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, BUT HE TOLD ME WITHOUT A RECALL I COULD NOT GET A DISCOUNT OR FREE REPAIR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A DRIVER LOSING ALL HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY OPERATE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE KIA WILL NOT REPAIR THEIR OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2014 KIA SOUL STARTED TO FLICKER AS WELL AS THE INTERNAL LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME ON THE DASHBOARD (SPEED, ETC.). I NORMALLY KEEP THE HEADLIGHT SETTING ON AUTO AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER 4 YEARS NEVER HAD AN ISSUE UNTIL NOW. I AM PAYING TO GET THE SWITCH REPLACED IN HOPES IT WILL RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER JUST FLICKER THEY WILL GO COMPLETELY OUT SOME TIMES WHICH CAN BE SCARY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Jul 25, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WILL DIM AND BRIGHTEN ON THEIR OWN. SOMETIMES TURNING OFF COMPLETELY. TWICE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT COMPLETELY AS WELL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 21, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHEN THE BLINKER IS USED, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS. ONCE YOU USE THE BLINKER ONCE IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO FOR MANY MINUTES. THIS IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. UPON RESEARCH, IT IS A FAULTY WIRE THAT OVERHEATS THE CONNECTOR CAUSING IT BECOME DEFORMED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP.
Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2018
I EXPERIENCED HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AND GOING OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK THE NIGHT OF JUNE 1, 2018. THIS ALARMING PROBLEM STARTED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 4, 2018, I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ELE093 WHICH I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT MY APPOINTMENT. AFTER MY OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AGAIN LAST NIGHT (JULY 19, 2018) AND NEEDED A POLICE ESCORT TO GET HOME. THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IS A PRODUCT LIABILITY ISSUE AND A FACTORY DEFECT. IT IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO MY SAFETY AND WELFARE AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY. I USE MY VEHICLE TO GET TO MY JOB AT NIGHT AND TO TRANSPORT ELDERLY PATIENTS FOR A VARIETY OF SERVICES, SOMETIMES TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT NIGHT. IN LIGHT OF THE THREAT OF PHYSICAL HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS, I HAVE REQUESTED THAT KIA HANDLE THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SINCE THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2018
WAS DRIVING DOWN BACK COUNTRY HIGHWAY WHERE THERE ARE NO HIGHWAY LIGHTS WHEN MY HEAD LIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN BACK ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. THEN WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, ANYTIME I WOULD USE MY BLINKER, ALL OF MY INTERIOR WOULD TURN OFF AND ON. THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME UNTIL RECENTLY. I WASN'T HITTING ANY BUMPS WHEN IT HAPPENED, JUST HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS BACK HOME FROM A WEEKEND TRIP SO IT'S NOT LIKE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME EITHER WHICH MADE IT WORSE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I DID HAVE MY HEADLIGHT WIRING WORKED ON AFTER MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY WORK AND NOT WORK ON DAYS AND IT TURNED OUT TO BY MY WIRE BURNED. KIA FIXES THAT PROBLEM BUT THIS HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AT NIGHT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND AFTER RESEARCHING IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SCARY SCENARIO WITH NO GOOD OUTCOME FROM KIA. JUST TO ADD AS WELL, I'VE BEEN RECIEVING NUMEROUS CALLS FROM KIA BEFORE THIS TRYING TO BUY MY CAR BACK BECAUSE IT IS IN 'HIGH DEMAND', BUT AFTER THIS HAPPENED IT HAS CAME ACROSS MY MIND THAT THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO BUY THEM BACK TO PREVENT LIABILITY ON THEIR PART FOR NOT PUTTING A RECALL OUT ON THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO SOMEONE AND/OR THEIR FAMILY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2018
DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE HEAD LIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN OFF AND BACK ON, SOMETIMES JUDT FOR A SECOND AND SOMETIMES LONGER.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 15, 2018
THE LIGHTS IN MY KIA SOULS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ARE FLICKERING AND GOING OUT COMPLETELY SOMETIMES. VERY UNSAFE WHEN I AM ALREADY DRIVING. HAPPENS TO MY HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR ROOF LIGHTING. IT HAS ALSO CAUSED MY LIGHTS TO STAY ON SOMETIMES AND CAUSES MY BATTERY TO DIE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR IS IDLE OR DRIVING OR OFF COMPLETELY WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPEN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2018
AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD GOES OR FLICKERS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OTHER PEOPLE GOT THE SAME PROBLEM OF IT HAPPENING. WE ALL GET TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE THE PROBLEM HAPPEN SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT.
Exterior lighting, Jul 4, 2018
2014 KIA SOUL HEADLAMPS WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING ON COUNTRY ROADS WITH NO STREET LIGHTING AT NIGHT WE MUST STOP AND PLAY WITH THE LIGHTS TO GET THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT IS AT THE POINT WHERE WE CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY AT NIGHT TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW EVEN THOUGH I REPORTED IT AS OF 07/02/2018
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
MY HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THEY WILL GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY FLICKER AND THEN GO OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS.
Exterior lighting, Jun 11, 2018
THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET HAS MELTED AND THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEN HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY ON 6/8/2018. WE HAD TO THEN DRIVE TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO GET A BULB WHICH DID GIVE US A HEADLIGHT FOR NOW...BUT IT WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING AGAIN AS IT HAS DONE MANY TIMES. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND IS NOT ONLY UNSAFE BUT COULD CAUSE ME TO GET A TICKET SINCE IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT NON-FUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS. ONLINE RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES.