2014 Kia Soul

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2014 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

2014: 895 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 61%

61% of complaints: engine — 550 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact became aware of a burning rubber odor and observed grey and brown smoke coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260717

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving, the engine failed and began to smoke then was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240403

The contact's neighbor owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his neighborâs garage, another neighbor noticed smoke coming from the walls of the garage.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230927

Also filed under FIRERELATED

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 15%

15% of complaints: exterior lighting — 130 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and bulbs.

FIRE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 98 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and key/sender.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TWO HOLES THROUGH THE SEAT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE RENTAL AGENCY OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131203

Also filed under SEATS

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 57 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing catalytic convertor and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2014 — complaint volume: 895

R 20150324 — vehicle speed control

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.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171116 — steering

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V608000 — 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

R 20210125 — engine

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V750000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

R 20220404 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed