Does the 2012 Kia Soul have any recalls?

3 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, engine, engine and engine cooling, structure. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2012 Kia Soul recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Soul?

514 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2012 Kia Soul recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

3 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2012 Kia Soul. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

One of these recalls carries a manufacturer safety advisory to stop driving or to park outside until repaired. See below.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2012 Kia Soul recalls, newest first

September 25, 2023NHTSA 23V6520001,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

Park outside until repaired

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 22, 2019NHTSA 19V120000378,967 vehicles potentially affected

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.
Components: Engine; Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 29, 2014NHTSA 14V82200095,314 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 514 complaints about the 2012 Kia Soul with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 25
Fires reported: 23
Injuries reported: 25
Deaths reported: 2

Most complained-about components

Engine209
Steering163
Service brakes46
Unknown or other39
Electrical system37

Other Kia Soul years

Other 2012 Kia models

Most recalled 2012 vehicles

2012 Blue Bird All American (30 recalls)
2012 Spartan Gladiator (24 recalls)
2012 IC Bus CE (22 recalls)
2012 Freightliner Cascadia (19 recalls)
2012 Blue Bird Vision (19 recalls)

All of 2012’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2012 Kia Soul have any recalls?: 3 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, engine, engine and engine cooling, structure. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2012 Kia Soul recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Soul?: 514 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.