Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2012 Kia Soul has 171 NHTSA engine complaints and 1 engine-related recall.
171
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
19V120000
ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust ga...
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2026 | ENGINE | Check engine light came on. Car starts to shutter upon acceleration as well when its idling. Changed... |
| Dec 22, 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | On 12/ 22/ 2025 I went to start the 2012 KIA Soul and it would act like it would start but, it would... |
| Nov 9, 2025 | ENGINE | P1326 code followed by loss of power (limp mode) followed by multiple misfires and loss of compressi... |
| Oct 14, 2025 | ENGINE | On Oct. 14, 2025, this vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure while driving approx... |
| Nov 22, 2024 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Took car in for recall SC176 and was told by Taylor Kia in Lima, Oh that what was happ wasn't throwi... |
| Sep 12, 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cont... |
| Jul 18, 2024 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I got the recall SC284AM - HECU FUSE REPLACEMENT Done. As soon as I started the engine at the Kia de... |
| Apr 13, 2024 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was driving and my check engine code went on , I got it checked by autozone and it was for the cat... |
| Mar 25, 2024 | ENGINE | Unknown |
| Mar 11, 2024 | ENGINE | I took my car to a local place to get the oil changed. The person would not touch anything with my c... |
| Feb 13, 2024 | ENGINE | Transmission is going out. Valve and piston issues. |
| Jan 25, 2024 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximate... |
| Dec 27, 2023 | ENGINE | I saw a puff of smoke then the engine started knocking while I was driving, I had the car brought ho... |
| Dec 12, 2023 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My car died while driving it down the highway. And I couldn't get it drive. I had to have it towed. |
| Oct 15, 2023 | ENGINE | I have contacted KIA Corp. and advised them that my 2012 KIA Soul ! with 146,500 miles was consuming... |
| Aug 12, 2023 | ENGINE | The car experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure. We had just pulled out of the driveway an... |
| Aug 1, 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the engine was misfiring.... |
| Jul 1, 2023 | ENGINE | I was driving at night down a major highway when the car stopped dead. I towed it to a repair shop a... |
| Jun 18, 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH the b... |
| Jun 13, 2023 | ENGINE | Engine seizure, stalling, engine turns off without any warning. When taken to dealership or mechanic... |