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.
Steering, Power train, Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN AND CONTINUED TO GO STRAIGHT DOWN A HILL. THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND FINALLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WOULD FLICKER SUDDENLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL BRIEFLY, AND THEN ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 25, 2017
HEADLIGHTS GO ON AN OFF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 24, 2017
THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD WORK ON AND OFF. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AND THEY REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ON 12 DEC WITH A SYLVANIA HEADLIGHT BULB I PROVIDED. AFTER A WHILE THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. ON 13 JAN 17 THEY REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT AGAIN. THIS TIME WITH A KIA BULB.. SAME ISSUE. I HAD MORE ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS WORKING SOMETIMES AND NOT WORKING. THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY FOUND A SHORT. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND ALSO WHEN IT WAS STOPPED. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE WORKING WHEN I PARKED BUT WOULD NOT WORK WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP AGAIN. IT WAS AMAZING THAT THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T TROUBLE SHOOT THE ISSUE THE FIRST TIME. THEY SAID THE WARRANTY WAS INVALID AFTER WE CHANGED THE BULB WITH A NON-KIA BULB. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE FIRST REPLACEMENT BULB WAS COMPATIBLE WITH THE KIA SOUL.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2017, crash
CAR WAS TURNING AND STRUCK IN THE FRONT END AT APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH. IT WAS SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO A STOP. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED,. WHEN I CALLED KIA THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND AFTER I SENT THEM PICS. PICS ARE ATTACHED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY GEICO. PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS GONE. YOU CAN REACH ME AT [XXX] IF NEEDED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jan 6, 2017
2014 KIA SOUL STEERING FAILURE 16 MONTHS AFTER RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE TO PREVENT IT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 15V736000). THE STEERING MADE A CLUNKING SOUND WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. STEERING ABILITY WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED. 29,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. DEALER INSPECTION FOUND THE RACK AND PINION PLUG REPAIR PROCEDURE WAS NOT INVOLVED, AND INSTEAD THE CAUSE WAS THE SPLINE SEPARATING FROM THE SHAFT. NO CAUSE WAS IDENTIFIED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2016
I BOUGHT MY 2014 KIA SOUL WITH 6 MILES ON IT NOV 2013. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF WHEN I USE MY TURN SIGNAL OR AFTER USING MY TURN SIGNAL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM FIXED. FINALLY BIG RED SPORTS & IMPORTS TOOK A KIA SOUL OFF THEIR CAR LOT (AFTER MY 3RD TRIP THERE & THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE PART) TO PUT A NEW PART IN MY CAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY HEAD LIGHTS SO I TOOK MY KIA TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. NOW MY CAR WON'T GO INTO REVERSE AT TIMES,AND WHILE I'M "TRYING" TO PUT IT IN REVERSE MY AUTOMATIC LOCKS START LOCKING AN UN-LOCKING REALLY FAST. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF, AND TRY TO START ALL OVER SO IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE. I HAVE ALSO ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED. MY WORRY IS MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH MY HEAD LIGHTS WANTING TO WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. OR IF I GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T SHIFT GEARS. *TR
Steering, Nov 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2016
HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT AND DAYTIME WHEN IN MOTION AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND HAVE STAYED OUT FOR AS LONG AS 20 SECONDS. SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION. HAS HAPPENED WHEN IN MOTION, TURNING WITH SIGNAL ON, WHEN SETTING STILL IN TRAFFIC, IN MOTION WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, SITTING STILL IN DEALER SERVICE WRITING AREA. GREEN LIGHT ON DASH DISPLAY SOMETIMES GOES OUT AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OFF. LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER--HEAD LIGHTS WERE OFF, PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON AND SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION--THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED WHEN CONNECTED TO DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. DEALER WILL NOT FIX UNTIL PROBLEM IS DETECTED BY DIAGNOSTIC EQUIP. BATTERY HAS ALSO BEEN RUNDOWN WHEN PARKED FOR AS SHORT A PERIOD AS 3 1/2 DAYS WHEN NOTHING HAS BEEN LEFT PLUGGED IN.
Steering, Sep 6, 2016
AS I WAS PARKING IN A GAS STATION PARKING LOT, I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHILE THE WHEELS WERE TURNING TO THE LEFT TO PARK. WHEN LEAVING THE PARKING LOT, MY WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 360 DEGREES, AND I WOULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE, BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED.
Steering, Sep 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED, THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED, BUT THE WHEELS REMAINED STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V332000 (STEERING) AND 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Sep 3, 2016
STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISEWHEN TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PART NEEDED TO ORDERED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE THE CAR TO ME BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAVE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A 2014 KIA SOUL+ THAT HAS 36000 MILES. I SEE THAT OTHER SOULS HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,587.
Steering, Aug 16, 2016, crash
THERE ARE 6 RECALLS ON THIS GEM OF A CAR, NEVER RECEIVED ANY FROM KIA, PINION STEERING IS 1 OF THEM, DRIVING ON A SATURDAY MORNING VEERING RIGHT AND CAR JUMPED ON IT'S OWN LOSS CONTROL OF STEERING CAR IT CURB AND TIRE AND RIM I AM GUESSING OTHER DAMAGE, HAD CAR TOWED TO KIA DEALER ON8-8-16 STILL THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE WAITING SOMEONE FROM THE HEAD OF KIA DAMAGE CONTROL TO COME, THEY TOLD THEY WOULD BE THERE LAST WEEK STILL NOBODY HAS COME OUT, I NEED MY CAR TO WORK HOW CAN THERE BE 6 RECALLS ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD BAD ENOUGH THEY PASSED IT THRU INSPECTION WITH A STEERING ISSUE, PLEASE HELP,
Structure, Aug 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR LICENSE TAG LIGHT BULBS WERE PROTRUDING OUT OF ITS CASING. THE CONTACT PUT THE LIGHT BULBS BACK IN PLACE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE LIGHT BULB HOLDER HAD STRETCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 3, 2016
FRONT DRIVE AXLE NUT WAS LOOSE AND CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. NO WORK WAS EVER DONE ON THE VEHICLE IN THAT AREA SO THE NUT LOOSENED ON ITS OWN, NEARLY CAUSING THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO COME OFF THE VEHICLE. TORQUE WAS CHECKED ON THE NUT AFTER DISCOVERY AND WAS FOUND TO BE WAY LESS THAT THE FACTORY SPEC. OF ~170 TO 198FT. LBS. NUT HAS NO "LOCKING" MECHANISM TO PREVENT BACK OUT!
Steering, Jul 8, 2016
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN DOING CLUNKY NOISES, TOOK TO DEALER, THEY FIXED IT, 4 DAYS LATER STEERING WHEEL SNAPPED OFF LEAVING ME WITHOUT CONTROL DURING A TURN, NO ACCIDENT THANKFULLY FOR GOING LESS THAN 20 MI AT THE TIME, TOOK BACK TO DEALER TO BE FIXED. NOT SURE I TRUST IT ANYMORE.
Steering, Jun 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OUT OF THE LANE. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AT ONE DEALER AND THE OTHER TWO DEALERS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2016
WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON THEY WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF FOR A BIT THEN TURN ON AGAIN, BUT SOMETIMES THIS REQUIRES TRYING TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF THEN ON AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE A CHECK WAS RUN ON IT, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT UNTIL THE PROBLEM CAN BE DISCOVERED.
Wheels, Jun 7, 2016
WIFE WAS DRIVING HIT ROAD DEBRIS AND THE WHEEL SPLIT INTO TO PIECES. THE INNER RIM SEPARATED FROM THE OUTER RIM. WHEEL IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT, WIFE PULLED OVER THINKING THAT THE TIRE HAD GONE FLAT, BUT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL HAS SPLIT IN TWO.
Power train, May 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. AFTER PARKING ON AN INCLINE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR, UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,200.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND REQUIRED EXTREME PRESSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Steering, Apr 29, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY, VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO A WALL, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Apr 28, 2016
DRIVING ON HWY 10- APRIL 14 AND 17, 2016, POWER STEERING WENT OFF. JERKING THE WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT BROUGHT POWER STEERING BACK. TOOK TO DEALER ON APRIL 26, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED.
Steering, Mar 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.