Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Soul. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire
- Summary
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Overheated Catalytic Converter May Damage Engine
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
Headliner Plate Detachment
- Summary
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
- Consequence
- A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (514)
514 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 514 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 209 | 40.7% |
| Steering | 166 | 32.3% |
| Service brakes | 46 | 8.9% |
| Unknown or other | 39 | 7.6% |
| Electrical system | 38 | 7.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 6.2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 21 | 4.1% |
| Power train | 21 | 4.1% |
| Structure | 18 | 3.5% |
| Air bags | 17 | 3.3% |
How 2012 compares with other Soul years
Best and worst Soul years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 | 3 |
| 2011 | 194 | 3 |
| 2012 | 514 | 3 |
| 2013 | 663 | 3 |
| 2014 | 902 | 5 |
| 2015 | 898 | 4 |
| 2016 | 816 | 2 |
| 2017 | 272 | 1 |
| 2018 | 218 | 1 |
| 2019 | 136 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Kia Soul suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 317 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 29 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 29 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 28 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Soul for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Kia Soul FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Soul have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 23V652000 (brake), 19V120000 (engine), 14V822000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Kia Soul problems?
Owners filed 514 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (209), Steering (166), Service brakes (46) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Kia Soul get?
EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 26 city, 31 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Kia Soul get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Kia Soul suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Soul compare with other years?
Among the 2010–2019 Kia Soul model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (135) and the 2014 the most (902). The 2012 drew 514. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.