NHTSA (USA)CriticalPark Outside
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic electronic control unit may short electrically, potentially causing an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or driving.
This page covers 5 recalls, 510 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Kia Soul.
25–27 mpg combined
8.7–9.4 L/100km
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul cluster heavily around the engine and steering. On the engine side, owners frequently report excessive oil consumption, needing to add oil every week or two, along with misfires, rough idle, stalling, and in some cases complete engine failure while driving at highway speeds. Check engine lights and shaking under acceleration come up repeatedly, often alongside cylinder misfire codes. The steering system draws nearly as many complaints, with owners describing clicking or clunking noises from the steering column during turns, and some reporting looseness or play in the wheel. Hydraulic brake complaints are a more distant third, with notably lower volume. The engine oil consumption pattern is the most consistent thread across reports, with many owners describing ongoing top-offs between oil changes rather than a single incident.
510
Total Complaints
25
Crash-Related
23
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Kia Soul has 5 recalls, the most serious involving engine failure on models with the 1.6L GDI engine, where overheating can damage the catalytic converter, stall the engine without warning, and in some cases allow a broken connecting rod to punch through the engine block and spill oil, raising the risk of fire.
The engine concerns span several related problems: pistons can be damaged, the engine can stall or fail to restart, and a software update to the engine control module is part of the remedy to catch early warning signs before failure occurs. There is also a brake system recall covering a control module that can cause an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or being driven. On the interior safety side, vehicles equipped with a sunroof may have a headliner plate that can break loose when the curtain airbag deploys in a crash, creating a secondary hazard inside the cabin.
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic electronic control unit may short electrically, potentially causing an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or driving.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the HECU fuse at no charge to restore proper electrical function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine control module may not detect problems early enough to prevent engine failure, which could cause sudden loss of power and inability to restart.
What the fix does
Kia will mail you instructions to visit a dealer for an engine control module software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The catalytic converter may overheat and become damaged, potentially causing engine damage or failure. An engine failure results in sudden loss of power and inability to restart.
What the fix does
Dealers will update engine software to prevent catalytic converter overheating. Vehicles will be inspected, and the catalytic converter and/or engine will be replaced as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter, potentially causing abnormal engine combustion and damage to pistons or connecting rods.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control system to prevent catalytic converter overheating, replace the damaged catalytic converter, and replace the engine if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headliner plate above the sunroof may come loose when the curtain air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will install adhesive strips to secure the headliner plate to prevent detachment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
