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: other or unspecified
83 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 30, 2019, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DASH BOARD STARTED TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY.WITHIN A FEW MINUTES SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR FOLLOWED BY A SMALL FIRE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE FIRE GREW AND COMPLETLY BURNED THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2018
4 TIMES WILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE SO BAD THE CARS BEHIND HAD TO STOP. THE VERY FIRST TIME WAS 6 WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR. TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER THEY RECREATED THE ISSUE AND SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FLAW IN THE ENGINE HEAD. KIA SAID I HAD TO WAIT TILL THEY MAKE A RECALL. 3 MONTHS AFTER THAT ISSUE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, WE WERE SITTING IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TRUCK WAS GOING TO HIT US. I FLORED THE GAS AND A BUNCH A SMOKE CAME OUT IT BOGED BUT WE GOT OUT OF THE WAY IN TIME. KIA TOOK THE VAULVE COVER OFF AND IT LOOKED LIKE TAR. HOW CAN THAT BE POSIBLE WHEN IT WAS NOT EVEN DRIVEN THE FIRST 3,000 MILES FOR THE OIL CHANGE??? WE ARE PAYING FOR A CAR THAT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. TO SCARED TO DRIVE IT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2018, fire
ON 4 OCTOBER 2018 ABOUT 1/4 MILE (ON FREESTONE COUNTY ROAD) FROM OUR HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THE VEHICLE LOST FORWARD MOTION AND DIED. IMMEDIATELY THICK BLACK VOLUMINOUS SMOKE EMITTED FROM PASSENGER SIDE UNDER HOOD AND WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES DISCHARGED. MY WIFE, MYSELF AND OUR DOG EXTRICATED OURSELVES IMMEDIATELY AND STARTED WALKING TO NEIGHBORS HOUSE FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO MITIGATE DAMAGE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE THE FIRST OF SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS BEGAN AND ERUPTION OF ENGULFING FIRE BEGAN TO CONSUME THE VEHICLE. WE HAD STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE GRASS CAUGHT FIRE. 911 WAS CALLED AND WHEN THE MEMBERS OF TWO LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED THE CAR WAS TOTALLY EVOLVED IN FLAMES. A LIQUID (PROBABLY WATER) WAS USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. CONTACTED FARMERS INSURANCE COMPANY. NO POLICE REPORT REQUIRED RE: NO COLLISION. WE WERE DILIGENT IN HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE AND ATTENTION TO VEHICLE RECALLS. TIRES WERE REPLACED WHEN WORN AND RXP GAS ADDITIVE USED. INSURANCE ADJUSTOR STATED VEHICLE WAS SO BADLY BURNED IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FIRE.
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.
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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2017
I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN OMAN HERE AND NOW DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE UNDERSAND WHAT'S THE ISSUE WITH CAR AND WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2015, crash, fire
THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED. THE SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONED, AND THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IMMEDIATELY OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. TWO BYSTANDERS COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS WERE STILL ENGAGED. THEY HAD TO BREAK THE GLASS, MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, THEN OPEN THEM - THE DOORS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER UNLOCKED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SUPPOSED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED - THEY DID NOT.