Kia Soul Complaints (2012)

516 consumer complaints on file.

#11477169August 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Any time I apply the brakes while simultaneously hitting a bump, speed bump, etc, the brakes seems to loose power and the brakes seem to go to the floor. It's frightening! I have mentioned it to the KIA Dealer but they've not been able to identify the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477031August 1, 2022
STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Popping in steering when turning back and forth. Cruise and radio quit working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476420July 28, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle then stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that she smelled a strong fuel odor. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The contact drove to her father's residence and parked the vehicle. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) which she associated with the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,150.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472344July 5, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at unknown speed, the check engine warning light appeared illuminated. Shortly after the light illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who discovered that the vehicle was low on oil; however, there was no evidence of an oil leak. Oil was added, however, the vehicle failed to restart. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where they confirmed the engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471928June 30, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, after retrieving the vehicle, the failure was still present. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,378.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11470057June 20, 2022
ENGINE
A loud thumping noise accompanied by a large amount of smoke in exhaust along with sudden loss of engine power while traveling at highway speeds. Oil was spewing from a hole that was blown through engine block.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468160June 8, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer performed an unknown repair; however, the vehicle later lost motive power. The vehicle was then taken to Community Kia of Bloomington (2200 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47401) where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine damage and connecting rod failure, which punctured the engine block. Community Kia of Bloomington informed the contact's daughter that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464457May 13, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, she saw smoke exiting the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and after exiting the vehicle, she saw a fire that started under the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was unaware if a fire report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her sister's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463225May 3, 2022
AIR BAGS
On April 25, 2022 the airbag light illuminated on the 2012 Kia soul. It was taken to the shop a Kia dealer on May 3, 2022. We were told by the mechanic that a contact assembly clock spring malfunctioned and if not repaired would be dangerous to drive the car because the airbag may not deploy. We inquired whether this issue was covered on the Kia airbag recall number SC229. Because this recall only covered Kia souls July 21, 2013-June 20, 2014.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462972May 1, 2022
STEERING
Steering coupler. I have paid for replacement 2 different times and has broke yet again. Worried with wife driving car that she will lose control
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461851April 22, 2022
STEERING
The steering coupling is going out. it makes a clunking noise when you turn the steering wheel either direction constantly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461657April 21, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, upon a VIN search, she discovered that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460188April 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made a clicking noise. The check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459982April 7, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
On 4/7/2022 I was advised by Mike at Auffenberg Kia Group in O'Fallon, IL (618)624-2277 that the problem with my car stalling and starting is the catalytic converter. I had my car towed to the Kia Dealership and the diagnostic code that the car was giving is P0335. After replacing the crankshaft sensor, the car continued to stall and struggle to startup. The service repairmen advised me that they spend 9.5 hours of diagnostic time with Kia troubleshooting the problem because everything was testing good. The service repair and kia decided that the issue is the catalytic converter. The kia service repairmen also advised me that they opened a case with kia, case number 14741430 to try to get the repair covered under the recall but Kia's district manager declined the repair. My engine is 2.0L and the recall is for engines 1.6L. I ask that Kia does the right thing and repair my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459407April 3, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I've had recalls on antiknock sensor and catalytic problems with vehicle I've had them repaired at kia dealerships to no avail I've had catalytic converter replaced with my own money because the solutions did not fix problems..still having severe issues.vehicles engine light blinks three times and goes into limp mode which prevents engine from accelerating past 45 mph
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457294March 18, 2022
ENGINE
Took it in to the shop. Had have problems with vehicle start up, stalling, and smell of gas. It has 107000 miles on it. Was told engine will need to be replaced. It is a Hazzard while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453714February 23, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel tank is made in two parts a top and a bottom and assembled together along with mounting brackets. The joining seam leaks fuel when the fuel level is greater than half fuel. The fuel leakage is very close to the exhaust system creating a potentially dangerous Fire and Safety hazard. The design is flawed because the mounting brackets continually stress the joint which separates to cause fuel leakage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453086February 20, 2022
STEERING
Steering wheel couplen is going out and every kia soul 2011 2013 are recall some 2012 why isn't mine thats a sad situation kias are having major recalls kia needs to fix my steering
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450643February 6, 2022
STEERING
My 2012 Kia Soul+ is having the same steering wheel "clunking" issue as other years/models which have been issued a recall notice but my year/model/VIN is not included in the recall and I would like for it to be included so I can get the safety issue fixed. https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2012-kia-soul-steering-recalls-your-questions-answered - below are statements from other owners with same issue: "I have a 2012 Kia Soul and the steering coupler is messed up. Premature Wear of the Flex Steering Coupler, it states that previous years and later years have this problem. But the 2012 does not have a recall although it has the same coupler." "Why is the 2012 Kia Sould not recalled for steering coupler? All other years prior and after were." "I have a 2012 Kia soul and the steering wheel coupler is messed up all other Kia have recall but my year model does not but yet same issue same part "
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449285January 28, 2022
STEERING
Steering coupler failing. Steering wheel currently clicks and feels loose when turning. Afraid it will break at any moment and needs immediate repair... Recall has been offered for other years of Kia Souls for this part but not 2012. This should be a recall for 2012 too!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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