The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 592 of 905 complaints (65%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 669 in 2013 to 905 in 2014.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 905
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,400
- Combined MPG
- 26
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | vs. 2014 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,300–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 25–28 | 26 | 26 | 26–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–26 / 28–31 | 23–26 / 28–31 | 23–24 / 30 | 23–24 / 30 | 24 / 30–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–355 | 322–353 | 335–344 | 335–344 | 335–338 | |
| Complaints filed | 516 | 669 | 905 | 909 | 830 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 23 | 34 | 36 | 29 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 23 | 46 | 69 | 84 | 35 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 25 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 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 2014 Kia Soul have?
5 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 2014 Kia Soul?
Engine: 592 of 905 NHTSA complaints (65%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Kia Soul get?
EPA rates it 26 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Kia Soul?
EPA estimates $2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| 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 | 24 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 335 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 338 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 337 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 344 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 592 | 5 | 57 | 6 | 1 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 58 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 57 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical | 98 | 4 | 16 | 3 | 1 |
| Brakes | 38 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 55 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 32 | 15 | 1 | 18 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 33 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 135 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 87 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 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 (5)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
- Consequence
- Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.
ENGINE
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
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.
STEERING
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
- Consequence
- If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
- Consequence
- If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.