2012 Kia SOUL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
514 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
87,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 309 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 209 of 514 complaints (40.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 166 | 32.3% |
| Braking behavior | 64 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 62 | 12.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 3.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 209 |
| Steering | 163 |
| Unknown Or Other | 39 |
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 34 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 25 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Power Train | 21 |
Engine: 209; Steering: 163; Unknown Or Other: 39; Electrical System: 37; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 34; Engine And Engine Cooling: 25; Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Power Train: 21
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 47 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 27 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 53 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 53 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 83 |
| 150,000 and above | 46 |
Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 27; 50,000 to 74,999: 53; 75,000 to 99,999: 53; 100,000 to 149,999: 83; 150,000 and above: 46
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (83). 205 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2019 | 96 |
| 2020 | 43 |
| 2021 | 50 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2011: 3; 2012: 19; 2013: 19; 2014: 7; 2015: 13; 2016: 8; 2017: 25; 2018: 50; 2019: 96; 2020: 43; 2021: 50; 2022: 47; 2023: 62; 2024: 39; 2025: 22; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 166 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 64 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 62 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10450518 · 2012-03-06 (March 6, 2012)
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. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND COULD ONLY BE TURNED IF CONSIDERABLE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO IT. I CAREFULLY PULLED OVER THE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED IT BACK UP HOPING THE ESC WOULD TURN OFF. IT DID NOT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY DEALER. THE KIA DEALER SERVICE SHOP ULTIMATELY HAD TO REPL…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467482 · 2012-07-24 (July 24, 2012)
2012 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATES POWER STEERING FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO FIND AN ERROR CODE OF 300 ELECTRICAL AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING MOTOR. ON JAN 13, 2012 AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. HE STOPPED, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED FIVE SECONDS AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. IT APPEARED TO WORK FINE AFTER THAT. ON JAN. 201, 12, AS THE CONSUMER WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10467482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443440 · 2012-01-11 (January 11, 2012)
NOT SURE IF MODEL IS 2012 OR 2011. A KIA SOUL WAS IN FRONT OF ME AT A STOP LIGHT. THE STOP LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE SO BRIGHT AS TO ALMOST BLIND ME. IS THERE A NATIONAL STANDARD THAT LIMITS THE MAXIMUM LIGHT ON BRAKE TAILLIGHTS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10443440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454467 · 2012-04-08 (April 8, 2012)
OPERATIONAL WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKES-STABILITY CONTROL-ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. I HAVE RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX. THIS CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN.I.E. DO THESE SYSTEMS FUNCTION AS REQUIRED WHEN DRIVING CONDITIONS PRESENT THEMSELVES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10454467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453192 · 2012-03-27 (March 27, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE UPHILL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11128688 · 2018-09-11 (September 11, 2018)
VEHICLE HAS 96000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING AND PINGING. ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT TO REST AREA TO PULL OVER AND INSPECT. HEARD LOUD BANG AND ENGINE STALLED. COASTED INTO REST AREA. INSPECTION REVEALED OIL LEAKING FROM HOLE BLOWN IN LOWER ENGINE BLOCK.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11128688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493646 · 2013-01-21 (January 21, 2013)
WE TRAVELED FROM TENNESSEE TO FLORIDA AND THE STEERING KEPT LOCKING-UP ON THE KIA SOUL. WE WENT TO GALEANA KIA IN FT. MYERS, FL AND TOLD THEM THAT ?WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL JUST LOCKS GOING STRAIGHT AND HAS TO HAVE APPLIED PRESSURE TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT?. GALEANA KIA DID THIS ON 12/4/2012: VERIFY INTERMITTENT P/S ASSIST INOP. REMOVE P/S COLUMN & ASSIST UNIT. APPLIED STABILANT 22 TO ALL CONNECTORS. REMOVE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS. REMOVE IPM MODULE. REMOVE & TEST HECU. FOUND STRIPPED BOLT IN GROUND GNG10 LOOSE GROUND. RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,522 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10438749 · 2011-12-06 (December 6, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RECURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR A VEHICLE THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 860.
Owner-reported narrative. 860 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458588 · 2012-05-15 (May 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED ALL OF THE DOORS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE FEATURE WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT M…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436472 · 2021-10-12 (October 12, 2021)
The rod punctured the engine block and caused a fire around the fuel pump area. Signs on the positive battery terminal of jumping backwards. Kia believes the cause of the fire was the engine falling apart. I had been travelling free of worry when I heard a high whirring sound then a bang coming from the engine. I pulled over immediately and upon opening the hood discovered a fire. Good samaritans pulled over and put the fire out, there were 3 females in my car who could've burned alive had the others not stopped. The car needed a new engine at …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441914 · 2021-11-29 (November 29, 2021)
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the catalytic convertor replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the check engine warning light illuminated for a second time. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the high-pressure sensor and the fuel pump to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the check engine warning light was illuminated for a …
Owner-reported narrative. 189,299 miles reported. Look up ODI 11441914 at NHTSA ↗