KnownCarProblems2012 Kia Soul Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 514 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Soul, most often about the engine (43% of complaints, typically around 119,500 miles). It is 5th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2012 Kia Soul problems
Engine
220 complaints · 43%Half of these problems showed up before 119,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
No engine warning lights on. At random, engine will lose power, but does not quit. No matter how much you try to accelerate, car only reaches approximately 30 MPH. Observed to happen after turning ignition key and nothing happens. However, occurrence is random, and no engine warning code is given. Mechanics find…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact's engine seized while exiting a fuel station. The contact pulled the vehicle over and attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. The contact had to leave the vehicle at the scene and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to southwest Kia…
Steering
166 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: column.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there had been several failures that progressed since purchasing the vehicle. The radio shorted out and was replaced by the dealer (southside Kia, 9401 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, ([phone]). Also, the odometer displayed an improper reading and the…
Steering noise caused be a bad piece in steering linkage. Plastic piece which makes steering loose and possible loss of steering. Kia admitted to me it's a problem which is common. But not covered by warranty after 50.00 miles. This is a safety issue and they are aware of it. It demands a recall for safety reasons. It…
Brakes
46 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the…
Other or unspecified
39 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles.
Within ten minutes of driving the car, it stalls when stopped at lights, stop signs, etc., geared in drive and low idle under normal driving conditions. When restarted it proceeds at a slow crawl and will not accelerate or will accelerate normally in 15 to 30 seconds. Had oil, oil filter and engine air filter replaced…
I was on the freeway, and all the lights lining the freeway were out. It was pitch black, and a cow had made its way into the middle of the freeway. It was struck by another vehicle and sent into the air, and flew right into my car. It is my understanding that one of adot's fences were down that was containing cattle.…
Electrical
38 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there had been several failures that progressed since purchasing the vehicle. The radio shorted out and was replaced by the dealer (southside Kia, 9401 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, ([phone]). Also, the odometer displayed an improper reading and the…
Car is in p as rk. Car is not moving. Car is not already started. Often the car won't start. Interior lights come on when key is placed in ignition, but wont turn over. You have to wiggle the shifter or turn the steering wheel. It will eventually start. Car gurus has over 150 identical complaints. It appears it's a…
Fuel system
23 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles.
Occasionally, the check engine light would turn on and then turn off. For only a day or two, I could hear a rattling sound upon acceleration. While driving on the highway, the noise became much louder, the engine failed and began smoking. The car became inoperable. I had the car towed to an auto shop where they showed…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed the emissions test due to the warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be…
Transmission
21 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
Before applying brake pedal upon several occasions was able to shift vehicle from park to drive just by depressing shifter. Several trips to dealer and they could not duplicate problem.
I stopped my car at top of my steep driveway,pulled up emergency brake,put car in park but left car running to listen to song on radio. I saw a problem in my yard,opene the door, took care of problem then got partiallu back in the car to cut off engine. As soon as I switched off the engine the car started rolling…
Body and structure
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
12/28/17 purchased car from Kia dealership. 1/27/18 I was driving approx 50 MPH down a county road and the drivers side windshield panelling flew off. The passenger side is loose as well. I am told no way to secure passenger side it just has to be replaced as well. Also noticed a loud screeching coming from driver…
The hood disengaged while my 76 year old mother was driving down the highway and smashed against the windshield. The dealership said it happens sometimes and charged her $3,500 to fix it. It broke loose twice after that while she was driving but didn't fly up against the windshield. She took it in both times and they…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Kia Soul recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the hecu fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed november 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed march 29, 2024 through june 18, 2024. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc284.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 borrego, 2014-2016 cadenza, 2010-2013 forte, forte koup, sportage, 2015-2018 k900, 2011-2015 optima, 2011-2013 optima hybrid, soul, 2012-2017 rio, 2011-2014 sorento, and 2010-2011 rondo vehicles. The hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Engine
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin february 2, 2015. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc112.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 kia soul vehicles manufactured january 8, 2009, to october 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Engine fires
Summary
On march 29, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened two preliminary evaluations (pe19-003 on hyundai and pe19-004 on kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year hyundai and kia vehicles.â during the pe investigations, hyundai and kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.â the remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.â additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modif
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
During this preliminary evaluation (pe), the office of defects investigation (odi) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima, my 2011-2014 kia sorento and my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles equipped with theta II, gamma, nu and lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). Odi also reviewed field and other data on other kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines used in the above-mentioned vehicles.as a result of this pe, kia has issued NHTSA recalls 20v-750 and 2
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
In a letter dated june 11, 2018, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima and sorento, and hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles. In a letter dated july 24, 2018, cas requested that my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles be added to the petition. Cas stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The office of defects investigation (odi) had already opened recall queries (rq17-003 and rq17-004) on all kia and hyundai vehicles equipped
Questions about the 2012 Kia Soul
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Soul?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (220 complaints, typically around 119,500 miles); steering (166 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); brakes (46 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Soul have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Kia Soul?
- It is 5th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints, with 514 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.