10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,295 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Soul:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #59

Sep 132019

Soul

  • 90,000 miles
While driving to a family function in Kentucky our 2012 Kia Soul started making a very loud clacking noise as it tried to maintain the 55mph speed limit while going uphill. When we pulled off we checked oil levels and checked the noise, it was much louder than the lifter noises and seemed to be a possible rod issue. After paying for a tow we contacted the Kia dealership in pikeville and was told that our Kia Soul was not under their recall. If the 1.6L gdi engine is recalled for any model in this model year should it not be applied to all models? Kia doesn't seem to want to help in any way.

- La Rue, OH, USA

problem #58

Nov 292018

Soul

  • 200,000 miles
The contact's company owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that oil had to continuously be placed in the vehicle. While driving approximately 35 mph, the engine seized. The company received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would replace the engine; however, the company would be responsible for the labor cost. The contact stated that there were three other Kia Souls with the same failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer fully replaced the engine in another Kia Soul at no charge, but would not replace the engines in the other three vehicles per the recall. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #57

Aug 012019

Soul

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving various speeds, the contact smelled a fuel odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the catalytic converter failed. The contact also believed that the vehicle seemed to be burning fuel excessively once the catalytic converter failed. The contact drove the vehicle to several repair shops and received various estimates on the replacement. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling), but the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact called kearny mesa Kia (7303 clairemont mesa blvd, san diego, ca 92111, 858-223-3131), but had not received a response. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #56

Aug 092019

Soul

  • 160,000 miles
I took the car to the Kia dealership for recall number 19V120 they did an euc upgrade in June 2019. After that the car developed knocking noise from engine and started consuming more oil then previously 1 qt. Per 700 miles. On August 9, 2019 the car suddenly lost power barely making it up the hill at a stop idle was rough enough to shake the car. The car was diagnosed need new engine oil on spark plug 3&4 compression on 3&4 at 90 and 70.

- Volcano, CA, USA

problem #55

May 012019

Soul

  • 160,000 miles
I received a recall letter in the mail regarding the catalytic converter. The rec all indicated that if you hear a knocking in the engine the needed to check engine to see if it was damaged due to the catalytic converter. I took vehicle to 2 Kia dealerships and both refused to look at engine but acknowledged that it was making knocking noise

- Phenix City, AL, USA

problem #54

Dec 142018

Soul

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled and there was a strange, hot odor emitting from the engine. The vehicle was taken to Kia of puyallup (111 valley ave ne, puyallup, wa 98372, 833-217-6008) where it was diagnosed that there was a blown rod and metal debris within the engine. The vehicle was not repaired at the time. On April 12, 2019, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine), which listed the failures the vehicle was experiencing. The vehicle was taken to cars pros Kia Tacoma (7230 Tacoma way, Tacoma, wa 98409, 877-879-7067) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter and engine were damaged. The dealer also determined that the vehicle required a catalytic overheating protection engine control unit logic update. The catalytic converter was replaced, but not the engine. The contact stated that a knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment. The manufacturer provided case number: 13184439 and a written notification of the remedy, which stated that the catalytic converter and/or the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Eatonville, WA, USA

problem #53

Jul 102019

Soul

  • 2 miles
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!

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #52

Jul 142019

Soul

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While the contact was backing the vehicle into the garage at 5 mph, it completely stalled and the engine seized. The contact did not know if any warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to folsom lake Kia (12751 folsom blvd, folsom, ca 95630, (916) 846-9825) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact reached out to the manufacturer and was provided with case number: 13236089. The manufacturer offered to cover $2,000 towards the repair, which would make the contact responsible for the remaining $3,700. The failure mileage was 44,000.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #51

Jul 202019

Soul

  • 103,000 miles
Vehicle cut off while awaiting light change. After numerous attempts to start vehicle, over course of an hour, vehicle spit out cloud of black smut before cutting off again.vehice was tolled following day. The next day I was informed Kia would not honor recall.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #50

Jul 022019

Soul

  • 113,000 miles
We received a recall letter from Kia, recall number 19V120. The moritz dealership replaced the cop ECU logic. Within less than two weeks the car completely stopped in the middle of traffic and was towed back to the dealership. The dealership called and said we need a new engine, but have refused to cover it under recall 19V120. Which states that the engine may need to be replaced at no charge to the customer. The Kia Soul has been to the dealership before for just stopping in the road. Putting my daughters in danger every time. Any help I can get getting this resolved with Kia would be greatly appreciated. I am not sure how many customers are not getting this recall honored, but Kia should want their customers to be safe driving their vehicles.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #49

Jul 102019

Soul

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle made a loud noise and would not accelerate. The contact also noticed black smoke emerging from the engine compartment along with a strong burning odor. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was then towed to Kia of bedford (18180 rockside rd, bedford, oh 44146) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new engine; however, no codes appeared for the catalytic converter. While researching the failure online, the contact found NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #48

Jul 082019

Soul

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle began jerking. The vehicle was taken to big red sports / imports (418 N interstate dr, norman, ok 73072, 405-364-4400) where it was diagnosed that it needed a piston replacement. The contact researched the failure and discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling); however, the dealer stated that the vehicle's mileage made it ineligible for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the same information. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #47

May 302019

Soul

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact took the vehicle to dutch miller Kia of wv (335 maccorkle ave, charleston, wv 25303) to have it repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). After the recall repair was performed, the vehicle still used an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Yawkey, WV, USA

problem #46

Jul 102019

Soul

  • 133,559 miles
I took my 2012 Kia Soul into the dealership to have two recalls taken care of. One of the recalls involved high exhaust temperatures within the catalytic converter may cause internal engine damage to the pistons and connecting rods, resulting in an engine stall and failure. Dealers will upgrade the catalytic overheating protection engine control unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter, and replace the converter if it has been damaged, also assessing and repairing related damage to the engine as needed free of charge to resolve the concern. They did an ECU upgrade but at the time of the recall service they noted that the engine was knocking prior to service. They did not notify me that the engine was knocking. A week later I noticed the engine knocking and took it back to the dealership to have it addressed. I was told that the #2 rod bearing was bent and that I needed to replace my engine to the tune of $5500. They stated that the bent rod was not caused by the recall defect but could not tell me any other reason for how it was bent either. They have refused to replace the engine as part of the recall.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #45

Mar 012019

Soul

  • 84,000 miles
A loud ticking noise developed in the engine this spring. It was diagnosed by a Kia technician as worn connecting rod/crankshaft bearings. I have performed regular recommended maintenance, including oil changes, within manufacturer's guidelines. The noise began subtly and worsened over time. It can be heard when the vehicle is stationary and at all speeds. It is loudest while accelerating and is faint while coasting. My specific vehicle is 2012 Kia Soul+ (plus) which has a nu 2.0-liter gdi engine. The same engine in other vehicles and different engine in this vehicle have been recalled for this same problem. I believe this is an error in manufacturing and should be recalled because of the safety hazard it presents (engine fire).

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #44

Apr 132019

Soul

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). Daytona Kia (located at 1702, 510 N nova rd, daytona beach, fl 32114, (386) 252-7000) was contacted, but failed to schedule an appointment for the free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #43

Jun 252019

Soul

  • 120,000 miles
No engine warning lights on. At random, engine will lose power, but does not quit. No matter how much you try to accelerate, car only reaches approximately 30 mph. Observed to happen after turning ignition key and nothing happens. However, occurrence is random, and no engine warning code is given. Mechanics find nothing wrong, due to no warning code.

- Monroe, OH, USA

problem #42

Jun 222019

Soul

  • 112,000 miles
My car does not seem to be covered under recall 19V120000, however it is having the same issues associated with that recall number. High exhaust temperatures within the catalytic converter may cause internal engine damage to the pistons and connecting rods, resulting in an engine stall and failure. There is engine shavings in my oil and it is making a horrible noise. It is no longer driveable. I took it into Kia service previously and they told me it was related to the above concerns,

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #41

Jun 252019

Soul

  • 100 miles
Catalytic recall- hard time accelerating. The RPM stayed at 0 while driving. Went through almost an entire tank of gas within 4 hours. Took to Kia dealership and they said it was the catalytic converter. But my VIN isn't on the list so they want me to pay out of pocked. Exact same problem as the recall.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #40

Feb 082019

Soul 4-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While the vehicle was in park with the engine running, the engine blew up and blew out pieces of the engine block. Prior to the failure, the engine rattled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact called dick hannah Kia at 360-342-9104 (located at 3400 ne auto mall dr, vancouver, wa 98662) and was informed that there was a recall. The contact waited for the unknown recall notice and, once it was received, towed the vehicle to the same dealer. The technician stated that the engine failure was due to "oil out", which was not covered by the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a decision was not made on how to proceed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Longview, WA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »