CarRecordBook

Model year record

2014 Kia Soul recalls & problems

The 2014 Kia Soul has 5 safety recalls and 903 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (554 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints903filed by owners
Crashes · fires33 · 69reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2014 Kia Soul in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsFeb 18, 2022

Air bag/restraint control module › Software

Recall 22V096000128,280 vehicles

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.

Components: Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module › Software; Air bags › Frontal

EngineDec 2, 2020

Engine

Recall 20V750000294,756 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.
EngineFeb 22, 2019

Engine

Recall 19V120000378,967 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

Components: Engine; Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor

SteeringSep 29, 2017

Steering

Recall 17V608000342,381 vehicles

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.
Vehicle speed controlMar 2, 2015

Accelerator pedal

Recall 15V123000208,858 vehicles

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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2014 Kia Soul SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.7%
2014 Kia Soul NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2014 Kia Soul NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Soul

26mpg combined
City / highway24 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Soul

26mpg combined
City / highway24 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Soul ECO dynamics

26mpg combined
City / highway24 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Soul

26mpg combined
City / highway23 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine5545526103,052 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Brake lights › Bulbs13001067,005 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer; Ignition › Anti-theft › Immobilizer/proximity › Key/sender98416369,500 mi
Unknown or other85210180,000 mi
Power train5814176,400 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Exhaust system57050110,500 mi
Steering55120636,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5409083,400 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal3232177,250 mi
Service brakes3152417,868 mi
Air bags261211444,825 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate1133129,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations