2012 Kia Soul

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Kia Soul
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 514 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2010	135
2011	193
2012	514
2013	660
2014	895
2015	896
2016	802
2017	270
2018	213
2019	135
2020	372
2021	228
2022	88
2023	49
2024	29
2025	12

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 41%

41% of complaints: engine — 209 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

2012 KIA SOUL WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS .

NHTSA ODI report, 20180204

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and STRUCTURE

CAR HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS WASHED THEN CAME HOME. CAR'S FRONT DEFROSTER WAS NOTED TO BE STUCK ON AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120518

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260713

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

STEERING 32%

32% of complaints: steering — 166 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA SOUL IN NOV OF 2011. WITHIN 200 MILES OF OWNERSHIP, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND FALSELY ACTIVATED. THE ESC NOT ONLY FALSELY ACTIVATED BUT REMAINED ACTIVATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120306

Also filed under ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 46 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

I purchased Dorman part #74015 Brake Pedal Stopper from AutoZone Altamonte after an employee recommended it for my 2012 Kia Soul without checking system compatibility. I installed it that night.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260724

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle independently accelerated while depressing the brake pedal.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231129

Also filed under AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing catalytic convertor and drain plug.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE SLUGGISH, RPM WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 2500 RPM, HAD TO GET VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, LOST DRIVEABILITY. *TT

NHTSA ODI report, 20110927

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 514

R 20150129 — structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14V822000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20190417 — engine, engine and engine cooling

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V120000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed