2014 Kia Soul problems, complaints & recalls

2014 Kia Soul recalls (5)

• Recall 22V096000Feb 18, 2022128,280 vehicles
  AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V750000Dec 2, 2020294,756 vehicles
  ENGINE

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 19V120000Feb 22, 2019378,967 vehicles
  ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 17V608000Sep 29, 2017342,381 vehicles
  STEERING

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 15V123000Mar 2, 2015208,858 vehicles
  VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024led to recall 23V877

  Engine Fires

  On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine …

• PE19004Opened Mar 29, 2019Closed Dec 22, 2021led to recall 20V088000

  Non-crash Vehicle Fires

  During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on other Kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines use…

• DP18003Opened Aug 21, 2018Closed May 10, 2019led to recall 18V907000

  Non-crash Vehicle Fires

  In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2014 Kia Soul complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026MDEngineOther / Unknown

   I purchased my Kia Soul because I believed I was purchasing a dependable vehicle that I could rely on for my everyday transportation. Unfortunately, my experience with the vehicle has been very different. Over time, I have experienced ongoing and serious problems with the engine, particularly excessive oil consumption. The vehicle consumes oil frequently and requires repeated oil top-offs. I have had to visit the oil service location so often to have the oil checked and…

   NHTSA complaint #11768566 · source
2. Filed Sep 29, 2026MAOther / Unknown

   Trouble with acceleration, when coming to a full stop then trying to accelerate the car feels like it doesn't want to move. Slows down to approximately 15mph when going up hills even when gas pedal pushed down all the way. Feels like it's about to stall at stop signs, etc.

   NHTSA complaint #11767687 · source
3. Filed Sep 24, 2026TNFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I bought the car August 21st 2026 and I'm September 20th I was driving down the interstate and my car starting shaking. I found out it's the catholic converter. I read they're was a recall on the Kia for that issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11766790 · source
4. Filed Sep 21, 2026NCBrakesOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   The Engine powered down to the point where the car stalled out. It would not accelerate. This was quite dangerous! I was in traffic when this happened. Trying to get it to a safer spot, I restarted the engine a few times; the brakes were extremely hard & wouldn't let me mash them down to catch to stop, so I immediately pulled the handbrake up & shut the engine off. I smelled a weird smell, like something was burning too. I had it towed to the shop & even though No lights…

   NHTSA complaint #11765798 · source
5. Filed Sep 16, 2026TXTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and came to a complete stop. After cooling down for approximately 10 minutes, the vehicle was restarted; however, smoke emanated from the engine bay and entered the cabin, and the vehicle stalled in traffic without warning. The rod bearing engine failure warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11764822 · source
6. Filed Sep 14, 2026110,724 miKYTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact researched and discovered that there were several unknown recalls associated with the VIN. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the…

   NHTSA complaint #11764037 · source
7. Filed Aug 31, 2026175,000 miSCAirbags

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000

   NHTSA complaint #11760945 · source
8. Filed Aug 29, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   l have a 2014 grey Kia soul with engine problems engine recall. The car has stopped multiple times. The KSDS is already installed since my Kia in limp mode can’t got past 40mph. Its engine recall P1326 knock sensor rod bearing engine recall. Everything on car is up to date oil change last month and all other car parts. Smoke come inside car and outside my 2014 Kia soul making very very dangerous to drive. Its safety issue because of my Kia engine recall. Please please need…

   NHTSA complaint #11760533 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology