Are there open safety recalls?
3 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 Kia Soul has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 514 owner complaints, and gets about 27 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 Kia Soul
- Engine 4-cyl 1.6L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Station Wagons
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
2 deaths reported
Out of 514 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20103recalls
- 20113recalls
- 2012 · this car3recalls
- 20133recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 Kia Soul SUV FWD
Open safety recalls
3 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Engine
22/02/2019
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Structure
29/12/2014
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic
25/09/2023
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 2010134reports
- 2011193reports
- 2012 · this car514reports
- 2013660reports
514 owner reports on file
25 crash mentions 23 fire mentions 25 injury mentions 2 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 514 total reports.
- STEERING 166 of 514
When I turn my steering wheel left or right there is a very large margin before the tires turn it rattles back and forth back and forth as I'm driving down the street no control for at least three degrees and either direction, also my front
- ENGINE 143 of 514
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and failed to accelerate with the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the
- SERVICE BRAKES 40 of 514
I purchased Dorman part #74015 Brake Pedal Stopper from AutoZone Altamonte after an employee recommended it for my 2012 Kia Soul without checking system compatibility. I installed it that night. On, while driving on a busy road in Orlando
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 30 of 514
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26 of 514
a few months after buying the car (the car was bought used), the "check engine" icon appeared on the instrument panel, I immediately went to the car workshop, the employee said after checking that he did not see any problems. the icon disa
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 of 514
I had some work done on the drive train of my car by a local mechanic. When I picked up the car, the Brake light and the Low Tire light were on. I asked the mechanic to see about getting them turned off. He came to me a bit later, said they
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 2 versions
They range from 27 to 28 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201028mpg
- 201127mpg
- 2012 · this car27mpg
- 201327mpg
$2,300
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 25 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 27 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 102 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 24 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.6L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.6L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.6 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Small Station Wagons
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the engine). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 Kia Soul listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul, including the engine. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Soul get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Kia Soul at 27 mpg combined (25 city / 30 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2012 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2012 Kia Soul 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Kia Soul? +
Owners have filed 514 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Soul, including 25 involving a crash. The most-reported area is steering.
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