VehicleVerdict

2012 Kia Soul problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2012 Kia Soul carries two red flags at once: 670 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.3× the Soul norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Soul years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 40 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 239 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

670

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

5

Investigations · 1 open

41

Crash-involved

31

Fires reported

40

Injuries

2

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Soul years?

Soul NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,215 complaints2010: 193 complaints2011: 270 complaints2012: 670 complaints2013: 862 complaints2014: 1,215 complaints2015: 1,215 complaints2016: 1,135 complaints2017: 351 complaints2018: 284 complaints2019: 189 complaints2020: 480 complaints2021: 297 complaints2022: 132 complaints2023: 86 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 18 complaints
Soul NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Soul years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Kia Soul problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine23936%
Steering16625%
Electrical System467%
Brakes457%
Other406%
Fuel System233%
Transmission213%
Body & Structure183%
Airbags173%
Speed Control101%
Lighting101%
Tires & Wheels91%
Suspension71%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Latches & Locks51%
Seat Belts51%
Driver Assistance30%

Does the 2012 Kia Soul have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

Defect

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.

19V120000EngineFebruary 22, 2019 · 378,967 units

Defect

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.

14V822000Body & StructureDecember 29, 2014 · 95,314 units

Defect

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

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-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY 2012 KIA SOUL'S ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING WHILE MY 19 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING HOME ONLY TWO MILES ON A 35 MPH ROAD! THE FLAMES WHERE SO HOT BUT LUCKILY WE LIVE BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH WAS THERE WITHIN MINUTES AND PUT IT OUT. WAITING ON KIA TO MAKE RIGHT!”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 10, 2019 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 6, 2012 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 6, 2012 · crash

“I WAS SLOWING APPROACHING PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE STARTED SPEEDING RAPIDLY, I COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK BUILDING. MY SON WAS YELLING TO STOP, I SAID I AM TRYING AND CANNOT. THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT, CAR WAS SMOKING, BADLY DENTED. WINDSHIELD BROKE. WE WERE BRUISED AND SCRATCHED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 9, 2013 · crash

“Loss of power to brakes while braking at low speed resulting in a crash, air bag deployment and blowout of driver airbag. Driver sustained chemical burns, and abdomen bruising. The fire department extinguished a small fire . The KIA is a almost total loss . ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 30, 2021 · crash · fire

2012 Kia Soul — common questions

Is the 2012 Kia Soul reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 670 complaints put the 2012 model at #5 of 16 Soul years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Soul years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Soul problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (239 complaints), steering (166 complaints), electrical system (46 complaints).

Does the 2012 Kia Soul have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Kia Soul under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Kia Soul years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Soul years to avoid are 2015, 2014, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2020, 2011. The cleanest record among Soul years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2012 Kia Soul?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Kia Soul earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.