Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Kia Soul problems

Owners filed 515 complaints about the 2012 Kia Soul with NHTSA between Sep 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (210).

Complaints
515
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
23
Reported by owners
Injuries
25
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine210
  2. Steering166
  3. Electrical system38
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic34
  5. Engine and engine cooling32
  6. Fuel/propulsion system21
  7. Power train21
  8. Structure18
  9. Air bags17
  10. Service brakes12
  11. Exterior lighting10
  12. Vehicle speed control10
  13. Suspension7
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20113
201219
201319
20147
201513
20168
201725
201850
201996
202043
202150
202247
202362
202439
202522
202612

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

210 reports1 crash17 fires1 related recall
“2012 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI (VIN: [XXX]). Case #[XXX]. Safety Hazard Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden engine stalling event at highway speeds and repeatedly dropped into a restricted "Limp Mode" due to a recurring P1326 diagnostic code. This code is explicitly tied to Kia's Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) monitoring structural connecting rod bearing failure. The sudden loss of engine RPMs and throttle response created a severe traffic hazard, leaving me without power steering or predictable acceleration in active traffic. Dealer Information & System Non-Compliance: The vehicle is currently grounded and unsafe to drive. Southlake Kia (Merrillville, IN) verified that the vehicle's engine sensor and circuit are operating perfectly with an end-to-end wiring test reading at a flawless 0.2 OHMS (Repair Order #[XXX]). This mathematically confirms that the sensor is picking up real, severe internal mechanical vibrations from a failing engine block rather than an electrical short circuit. Official internal dealer records (R/O #[XXX]) prove that this severe engine defect initially manifested and was documented at 149,715 miles—strictly under the 150,000-mile…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026EngineODI 11772957

Steering

166 reports3 crashes
“When I turn my steering wheel left or right there is a very large margin before the tires turn it rattles back and forth back and forth as I'm driving down the street no control for at least three degrees and either direction, also my front of the vehicle turn signals pop out and fall out to the road and I would drive with no turn signals on the front of my vehicle?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026Steering, Exterior lightingODI 11744927

Electrical system

38 reports2 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact informed the dealer of an attempted theft of the vehicle and that the ignition was damaged. The dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be performed. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 11693344

Service brakes, hydraulic

34 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts needed to be ordered for the repair. The contact stated that the parts were ordered two months ago; however, the contact was informed that the parts were still not available. The contact stated that the recall summary stated there was a possibility of the vehicle catching on fire, and the contact stated that the repair urgently needed to be performed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11702657

Engine and engine cooling

32 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the following day, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started, and the check engine warning light was off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair failure code was not illuminated. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 156,310.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11750027

Fuel/propulsion system

21 reports
“On 12/ 22/ 2025 I went to start the 2012 KIA Soul and it would act like it would start but, it would not turn over. Battery was fine checked it. Let it set a moment and tried it again would not start. Called a wrecker and towed it in. The service guy tried and couldn't get it to start either. He ran a diagnostic on it, there were not type of codes, no check engine light nothing. He had it for until 1/5/2026 and when they went to check it it started right up. They drove it for 20 miles to check to see if it would cut off while driving, it didn't. It starts now but for how long. Here's the strange thing, I drove it 20 minutes away and I noticed that the counter for when You fill up with gas states how many miles you have left to go before fill up was counting UP not DOWN. So I think it could be the computer or electrical, I thought it was the fuel pump at first. Still no warning signals nothing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11709889
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.