Every 2014 Kia Soul recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 22V096000
Feb 18, 2022Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
- Risk
- Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.
Full recall details for 22V096000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V750000
Feb 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Full recall details for 20V750000 →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 →Steering · NHTSA 17V608000
Sep 29, 2017Steering
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
- Risk
- If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Full recall details for 17V608000 →Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 15V123000
Feb 3, 2015Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
- Risk
- If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
Full recall details for 15V123000 →
2014 Kia Soul complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 904 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Soul, reporting 34 crashes, 69 fires, 30 injuries, 1 deaths. Kia has issued at least 175 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
- Engine554
- Exterior Lighting130
- Electrical System98
- Unknown Or Other85
- Power Train58
- Engine and Engine Cooling57
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (70)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (55)
- Equipment (49)
- Engine (20)
- Steering (14)
- Power Train (13)
Read Kia Soul owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2014 Kia Soul
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- 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 904 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Soul. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedFire
“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.”
2014 KIA SOULJul 17, 2026 · NY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11751048
Injury reportedCrash
“"TAKATA RECALL " I HAD A REAR END ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE REAR END ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY AT 45 MI PER HOUR I BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE POLICE HAVE PHOTOS”
2014 KIA SOUL EVDec 29, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11163905
Injury reportedFire
“On [XXX] my 2014 Kia Soul caught on fire while I was at a gas station. There had been no warning lights, however when I first started it that day it acted like it didn't want to start. A man ran in the gas station and got their fire extinguisher and put the engine fire out.”
2014 KIA SOULOct 22, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11621254
“MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON AND I WHERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE IT STARTS SHAKING, SMOKING, AND OIL STARTS SPEWING. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WAS TOLD MY ENGINE EXPLODED. CALLED KIA AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING.”
2014 KIA SOUL EVMay 21, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11097099
Fire
“The contact's neighbor owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his neighbor's garage, another neighbor noticed smoke coming from the walls of the garage. The contact then stated that his neighbors were awakened by another neighbor alerting them of the fire.”
2014 KIA SOULSep 27, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11546830
Check your Soul by VIN
Not every 2014 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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