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
902 reports, newest first.
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.
Engine, Jul 11, 2018, fire
MY CAR ENGINE EXPLODED AND CAR CAUGHT FIRE. KIA SAID THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LAWN MOWER NOISE PRIOR WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE ENGINE BLEW. I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED. BY THE TIME I MADE MY WAY TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED.
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
Engine, Jul 3, 2018
I LENT MY CAR TO A FRIEND WHOM WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, HE PULLED QUICKLY INTO A GAS STATION AND PARKED. HE CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL AND THERE WAS NONE. HE ADDED 1 QUART OF OIL AND STARTED THE ENGINE HOWEVER IT RAN HORRIBLELY SO HE QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF. HE NOTIFIED ME. I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO CONFIRMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE VEHICLE CAME WITH A LIFETIME ENGINE WARRANTY PLUS I KEPT THE CAR MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO DEALER REQUIREMENTS THEY FORWARDED MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO A THIRD COMPANY WHICH IS RESEARCHING THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE AND WILL THEN DECIDE IF THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAD 105,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PROBLEMS UP UNTIL THAT TIME.
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.
Engine, Jun 8, 2018
VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING, COULD NOT GET IT TO START. HAD IT TOWED TO LOCAL FIRESTONE SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE HAD NO OIL AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ITS NOT FAIR AS A VEHICLE OWNER THAT MAINTANS THEIR VEHICLE REGULARLY TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN. I DIDN'T GET ANY KIND OF WARNING TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. VEHICLE JUST LOST OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF LEAKS AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OIL LIGHT TO GIVE ANY KIND OF WARNING
Exterior lighting, Jun 6, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ( IN MOTION) AT NIGHT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, USING MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND WHEN USING MY LEFT AND RIGHT BLINKER, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW AND TO MY SON SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL HOPEFULLY BE CORRECTED BY KIA.
Engine, May 21, 2018
MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON AND I WHERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE IT STARTS SHAKING, SMOKING, AND OIL STARTS SPEWING. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WAS TOLD MY ENGINE EXPLODED. CALLED KIA AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING. I AM 1800 MILES OVER MY 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND HAVE DONE EVERY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR AND EVEN THOUGH KIA HAS RECALLS ON SORENTOS AND OPTIMAS FOR THIS, THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING.
Exterior lighting, May 20, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER A FEW TIMES THEN COMPLETELY GO OUT. IT'S SCARY! THEY GO BACK ON SHORTLY AFTER BUT I'M AFRAID OF THEM GOING OUT COMPLETELY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ONLINE.
Engine, May 7, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT ANY DASHBOARD LIGHT WARNING THERE WAS A POOF OF SMOKE, SMELL OF OIL AND MY VEHICLE LURCHED. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED.
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2018
THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT RANDOMLY GOES OFF FOR DAYS AT A TIME THEN COMES BACK ON FOR A COUPLE DAYS THEN OFF AGAIN.
Exterior lighting, Apr 13, 2018
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2015 KIA SOUL HOME AT NIGHT ON BACK COUNTRY ROADS, THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. THEN THEY COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS THE WHOLE DRIVE HOME. THIS MADE A VERY UNSAFE DRIVE HOME FOR OUR DAUGHTER. SHE HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR US TO COME GET HER.
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.
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2018
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. WHEN REPLACING HEADLIGHT I USE GLOVES SO AS NOT TO TOUCH THE GLASS. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICE THAT MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS MOVING WHEN ISSUE OCCURRED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 31, 2018
HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED/ WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE. HAD TO BREAK SUDDENLY, RAINY ,HAD THE WIPERS GOING, RADIO ON, GPS PLUGGED IN TO AUXILIARY PLUG. 7PTURNED THE NOB ON THE STEERING COLUMN ON /OFF, HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WENT TO THE NEXT EXIT. STOPPED AT TRAFFIC STOPLIGHT, RIGHT BLINKER, FOOT ON BRAKE, TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE TO MAKE RIGHT TURN, MADE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO RIGHT, LIGHTS FLICKERED AGAIN. HAPPENED ON 3-23-18 9:30PM . TOOK TO MY MECHANIC TODAY 4-1-18 - TCB AUTO IN DALLAS GA, BATTERY FINE,BULBS FINE, FUSES FINE, 3 WEEKS AGO HAD OIL CHANGE, NEW TIRES. COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT..ADVISED ME ONLINE MANY REPORTS ,EVEN KIA DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, IFAFTER BULLETIN,NO RECALLS YET...PUT IN THIS REPORT..
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY KIA SOUL MY HEADLIGHTS WILL SWITCH COMPLETELY OFF AND IT HAS BECAME VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM DRIVING ON DARK BACK ROADS. I NOTICE IT HAPPENS WHEN I PUT MY SIGNAL LIGHT ON AND TURN IT SEEMS THAT THIS MAY BE A TRIGGER TO THE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE SEEN THAT OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SAME MALFUNCTION AND I WONDER WHY IT HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. THE LIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES POP RIGHT BACK ON BUT LAST NIGHT IT BLINKED OUT FOR A MINUTE AND I HAD TO PUT THE HIGH BEAM ON. BUT ALL LAST NIGHT THE HIGH BEEN SEEMED TO NOT WANT TO WORK SO NOW IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT TIME.
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, Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2018
I BOUGHT MY 2014 KIA SOUL USED WITH ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY AFTER PURCHASING IT MY LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. AT TIMES THEY WOULD GO OUT FOR A FEW MOMENTS. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAVE MY HUSBAND DRIVE IN FRONT OF ME WITH OUR OTHER VEHICLE IN FEAR THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. I COULD OF BEEN IN A SERIOUS CRASH. ALSO CAME HOME TO A DEAD BATTERY ONE DAY BECAUSE MY LIGHTS WHICH WERE OFF WHEN I LEFT THE HOUSE RANDOMLY WERE ON WHEN I GOT HOME THAT NIGHT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2018
RIGHT HEADLAMP BEGAN FLICKERING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS SINCE FAILED COMPLETELY. BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS. DOES NOT MATTER IF VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY 65000 MILES.
Exterior lighting, Dec 21, 2017
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING, ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY. ROAD CONDITIONS DO NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR.I USUALLY DRIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON DURING THE DAY. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AUTO-HEADLIGHTS. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I HAVE ENCLOSED COPY OF REPAIR BILLS(OVER $700.00) & A RECALL ARTICLE FROM RECALL MASTERS. (RECALLMASTERS.COM) I REALIZE THAT THE 2014 SOUL IS NOT MENTIONED IN THIS NOTICE BUT, IT HAS ALL THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS.I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER & I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO INDUCE THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER HAS NOT SEEN THIS HAPPEN. THEY CAN ONLY TAKE MY WORD THAT IT DOES.
Steering, Dec 12, 2017
RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL ON 12/01/2017 REGARDING THE PINION GEAR THAT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING & RESULT IN A CRASH. I CALLED IMMEDIATELY TO SET AN APPOINTMENT ON 12/12/2017. I WAS CALLED JUST 1/2 PRIOR TO MY APPOINTMENT TO BE TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, NO KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA HAS IT. I AM DRIVING ACROSS THE STATE OF FL IN A FEW DAYS & AM EXTREMELY WORRIED SINCE I WILL BE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. SO, KIA ALERTS SOUL OWNERS & FAILS TO PROVIDE THE MEANS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM TOLD IT WILL BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THEY HAVE THE TOOLS NEEDED TO REPAIR. MY PARTICULAR CAR HAS HAD A STIFFNESS IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A FEW TIMES. I NEED MY VEHICLE FOR THIS TRIP, BUT, WILL INQUIRE ABOUT A LOANER CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN INADVERTENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAWRENCE KIA (1225 E 23RD ST, LAWRENCE, KS 66046, (785) 856-8700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.