Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Kia Soul problems

Owners filed 905 complaints about the 2014 Kia Soul with NHTSA between Dec 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (555).

Complaints
905
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
34
Reported by owners
Fires
69
Reported by owners
Injuries
30
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine555
  2. Exterior lighting130
  3. Electrical system98
  4. Power train58
  5. Engine and engine cooling55
  6. Steering55
  7. Fuel/propulsion system54
  8. Service brakes31
  9. Vehicle speed control31
  10. Air bags27
  11. Structure11
  12. Wheels9
  13. Seat belts6
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)5

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
20131
201426
201519
201626
201733
201872
2019177
2020165
2021119
202281
202375
202437
202541
202633

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

555 reports5 crashes52 fires2 related recalls
“this vehicle was service with a new engine in 2021 by the kia dealer in South Attleboro mass the car began to start loosing power on 10/15/ 2026 it now needs a new engine again I call the kia dealer to see if it had warranted and they said because it has 198 thousand miles the warranted is gone I don't understand how is a new engine last for only 3 years . no explanation after that please I need someone to let me know what is really happening with these Kia"s cause my 2018 also have the same problem and is not because of oil cause it has been service by the kia dealer itself . although I hav notice also that after service my oil will drop easily and I would have to put more oil in it can anyone get back to me now I have two Kias one 2014 and 2018 with engine problem in the same month.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026EngineODI 11773575

Exterior lighting

130 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night, the front passenger’s side low-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that while activating the high-beam headlights, the driver’s side high-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side headlight assemblies had overheated and melted. The headlight assemblies and light bulbs were replaced but the failure eventually reoccurred. The contact stated that the light bulbs and headlight assemblies were replaced on several occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11616116

Electrical system

98 reports4 crashes16 fires
“The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact became aware of a burning rubber odor and observed grey and brown smoke coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that a fire had started underneath the front of the vehicle. The local Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. While exiting the vehicle, the vehicle continued rolling and the rear driver’s side tire ran over both feet. The contact had two severely bruised feet; however, medical assistance was not sought. The vehicle was not towed or taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11751048

Power train

58 reports1 crash4 fires
“The Engine powered down to the point where the car stalled out. It would not accelerate. This was quite dangerous! I was in traffic when this happened. Trying to get it to a safer spot, I restarted the engine a few times; the brakes were extremely hard & wouldn't let me mash them down to catch to stop, so I immediately pulled the handbrake up & shut the engine off. I smelled a weird smell, like something was burning too. I had it towed to the shop & even though No lights were on, we plugged it up & it gave the 0420P code for the Bank 1 sensor Exhaust Flow issue. Mechanic stated he thought it might be the Catalytic Convertor. About 2 weeks beforehand, the oil light had come on, added 2 quarts of oil & it went out. Then the check engine light came on about 2 weeks after that, blinked a couple of times, but went back off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11765798

Engine and engine cooling

55 reports5 fires
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V096000 (AIR BAGS). The vehicle was taken for the oil change, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The oil level was extremely low. The contact was informed that the manifold was cleaned; however, the cause of the excessive oil consumption was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11728657

Steering

55 reports12 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V096000 (AIR BAGS), 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 17V608000 (STEERING), and 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked and vibrated abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle idled down to 5 MPH. The contact continued to drive; however, the contact had to pull over several times. The contact drove to the mother's residence. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged or had melted and damaged the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was missing several updates, and the dealer refused to perform the recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance with the recall repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2025Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Air bagsODI 11683509
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.