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: steering
55 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 5, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V332000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,874. MAILED OUT 11/12/14 CONSUMER REQUEST*LJ UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD. HE CAME UPON A CURVE AND TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, BUT HE BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS AND COULDN'T CONTROL THE STEERING TO GET OUT OF THE SKID. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND ROLLED OVER A COUPLE OF TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. UPDATED 01/08/15
Steering, Jul 31, 2014, crash
ON 6-29-2014, I WAS ON MY WAY TO CHURCH. THE WEATHER WAS GOOD. IM DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR HITS A GUARDRAIL AND SPUN ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A UTILITY POLE. NOW I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 30 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A ACCIDENT ANYTHING. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY RESCUE SQUAD, WHERE I SUSTAIN SOME SERIOUS INJURIES, HEAD INJURY, RIGHT EYE WAS CUT BADLY, AND I WAS IN A COMA FOR A WEEK. DURING THIS INCIDENT I HAVE A POLICE REPORT STATING THERE WAS ZERO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL IN MY SYSTEM. I WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL ON 7-15-2014, WHERE I STILL CAN'T WALK WITHOUT A WALKER OR CANE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS CASE TO BE INVESTIGATED TO ITS FULLY CONTENT BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2014 KIA SOUL 7-21-13 TO 1-17-2014 KIA # SC108 STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE CAUSE A CRASH NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14332000. *TR
Steering, Jul 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V332000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THREE WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, Jul 22, 2014
I NOTICED A POP AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME REALLY LOOSE. I BEGAN TO MAKE A U TURN A FEW MINUTES LATER AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED 360 DEGREES, BUT THE ACTUAL WHEELS DID NOT TURN WITH IT. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN LEFT AND HAD TO REVERSE TO GET THE CAR STRAIGHT AGAIN. .... UPDATED 08/05/14 *BF UPDATED 08/19/2014 *JS
Steering, Apr 13, 2014
STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACING. PART WILL NOT BE HERE UNTIL APRIL 30TH (1 MONTH). DEALER WILL NOT RELEASE THE CAR TO ME BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. KIA WILL NO LONGER TALK TO ME AT ALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. ONLINE I SEE THAT PAST KIA SOUL'S HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JS