2012 Kia SOUL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10427688 · 2011-09-27 (September 27, 2011)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10427688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432442 · 2011-10-22 (October 22, 2011)
THE 2012 KIA SOUL DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE, INSTEAD IT COMES WITH A CAN OF FIX- A- FLAT AND A AIR PUMP. THERE IS NO JACK EITHER. THE FLAT MAY BE FIXED IF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE TREAD AND THE HOLE IS UNDER 1/4 INCH IN DIAMETER. IF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE SIDEWALL OR GREATER THAN 1/4 INCH, THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO CELL PHONE OR ARE IN AN AREA THAT GETS NO RECEPTION THEY WILL BE STRANDED UNTIL ANOTHER MOTORIST COMES ALONG AND THESE DAYS MOST MOTORISTS DON'T STOP FOR OTHER DRIVERS. KIA OFFERS ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10432442 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 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 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 10451710 · 2012-03-14 (March 14, 2012)
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TURNED RIGHT BLINKER ON TO MAKE TURN AND NOTICED THE BLINKER ARROW IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYED ON.WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND BLINKER AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE THE HEADLIGHT AND BLINKER WERE NOT WORKING .I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT .I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 24 HOURS I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS .I AM PRAYING IT IS JUST SOMETHING SIMPLE . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 203 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452134 · 2012-03-18 (March 18, 2012)
I POSTED A COMPLAINT EARLIER WITH THE BLINKER AND HEADLIGHT NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER 3/17/12 IT WAS A LOOSE GROUND THEY FIXED IT AND I THANK GOD IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10452134 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V822000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2014-12-29 (December 29, 2014)
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.
Consequence: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
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. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V120000 · Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
Reported: 2019-02-22 (February 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.
Consequence: 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.
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. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)
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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗