Model Year Problem Record

Kia Soul 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Kia Soul: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

516Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

104Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

72Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine242

Steering167

Brakes46

Unknown Or Other39

Electrical System38

Fuel and Propulsion System23

Power Train21

Vehicle Structure18

Air Bags17

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems11

Vehicle Speed Control10

Latches, Locks and Linkages5

Seat Belts5

Tires3

Equipment1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine242 complaints

242 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 19V120000.

Steering167 complaints

167 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes46 complaints

46 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 23V652000.

Unknown Or Other39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure18 complaints

18 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V822000.

Air Bags17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

14V822000Reported December 29, 2014 - 95,314 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on December 29, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 95,314 vehicles across all affected models.

19V120000Reported February 22, 2019 - 378,967 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on February 22, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 378,967 vehicles across all affected models.

23V652000Reported September 25, 2023 - 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 1,730,192 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ23002Opened November 17, 2023 - Open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP18003Opened August 21, 2018 - Closed May 10, 2019