The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 221 of 516 complaints (43%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 194 in 2011 to 516 in 2012.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 516
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200–$2,500
- Combined MPG
- 25–28
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,200–2,400 | 2,200–2,400 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–28 | 26–28 | 25–28 | 25–28 | 26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–26 / 30–31 | 24–26 / 29–31 | 23–26 / 28–31 | 23–26 / 28–31 | 23–24 / 30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–342 | 317–342 | 317–355 | 322–353 | 335–344 | |
| Complaints filed | 135 | 194 | 516 | 669 | 905 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 23 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 34 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 15 | 5 | 23 | 46 | 69 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 30 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Soul have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Kia Soul?
Engine: 221 of 516 NHTSA complaints (43%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Soul get?
EPA rates it 25–28 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Kia Soul?
EPA estimates $2,200–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 26 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg | 30 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg | 30 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 221 | 2 | 18 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 21 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 38 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 53 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 167 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 18 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 23 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 40 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Defect
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; ENGINE
- Defect
- 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Defect
- 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.