2012 Kia Soul

463 serious complaints of 514, the most about engine (209) and steering (166); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21003: engine fires.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the mechanic cleared the warning light.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Aug 2021

“Knocking sound when turning steering wheel slightly to either left or right. I was told it is a bad coupler within the steering column that needs to be replaced and it will probably become a recall because the dealership has had many customers with the same issue.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Mar 2018

Fixes and extended coverage

• Extended coverage REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM 2012-2013 MY Soul Vehicles Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Flexible Coupling Warranty Extension Program (WTY013) - If you have incurred expense to remedy this issue prior to the date of this notice, you may have the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for that… (WTY013, May 2019)
• Extended coverage PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the notification to dealer principals of the updated warranty coverage for the product improvement (PI2002A). Upon completion of this Product Improvement Campaign, Kia will extend the warranty coverage for the engine long block… (PI2002, Mar 2021)
• Repair program tsb: voluntary service campaign - application of additional anti-corrosion material (sc122) - to improve customer satisfaction, kia is launching this bulletin to apply additional anticorrosion protection to various vehicle underbody components of some 2010~2013my soul (am), 2004~2009my spectra… (TSBSC122, Jul 2015)
• Repair program Will be conducting a voluntary service campaign, as a preventative measure, to add additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody of all 2006-2011 my rio, 2004-2009 my spectra, 2006-2010 my optima, 2010-2013 my soul, and 2007-2010 my rondo vehicles originally retailed and/or currently… (DEALERPSC122, Jul 2015)
• Repair program Is conducting a voluntary service campaign as a preventative measure to add additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody of all 2006-2011 my rio, 2004-2009 my spectra, 2006-2010 my optima, 2010-2013 my soul, and 2007-2010 my rondo vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in one… (DEALERPSMSC122, Jul 2015)
• Repair program Is conducting a voluntary service campaign to add additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody of all 2010-2013 my soul vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. (OWNERSC122SOUL, Jul 2015)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

514 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 25–28 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features