Every 2012 Kia Soul recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Engine · NHTSA 19V120000
Feb 22, 2019Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V120000 →Structure · NHTSA 14V822000
Dec 29, 2014Structure:Body:Roof and Pillars
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 14V822000 →
2012 Kia Soul complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 514 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Soul, reporting 25 crashes, 23 fires, 25 injuries, 2 deaths. Kia has issued at least 132 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine209
- Steering166
- Unknown Or Other39
- Electrical System38
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic34
- Engine and Engine Cooling32
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (42)
- Electrical System (40)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (32)
- Steering (24)
- Engine (15)
- Power Train (12)
Read Kia Soul owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Kia Soul
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 5 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires
PE19004Opened Mar 29, 2019Closed Dec 22, 2021
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires
DP18003Opened Aug 21, 2018Closed May 10, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 514 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Soul. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“The contact's son owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact's daughter-in-law looked through the glass door of the residence and noticed that the vehicle had caught on fire.”
2012 KIA SOULSep 25, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11689749
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle independently accelerated while depressing the brake pedal. The contact steered the vehicle to the left in an attempt to stop the acceleration and repeatedly depressed the brake pedal.”
2012 KIA SOULNov 29, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11557416
Fire
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH the braking system suddenly activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. Smoke was then seen coming from under the front end of the vehicle.”
2012 KIA SOULJun 23, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11528499
Fire
“While driving down the freeway, the engine began to smoke and caught fire. My husband and kids were in the car but were fortunately able to pull over without physical injuries.”
2012 KIA SOULJun 5, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11525369
Fire
“i was driving, all of a sudden my car started losing speed so i got onto the shoulder. then i saw smoke and a fire from under the hood. the door stuck and i hit it with my shoulder to get out. 30 seconds after i got out the engine bay exploded.”
2012 KIA SOULMay 23, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11523474
Check your Soul by VIN
Not every 2012 Kia Soul is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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