Model year
2014 Kia Soul
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 902 complaints for the 2014 Kia Soul (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 2 complaints under SOUL EV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (553), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (124), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (94). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA rated the SUV FWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 135 complaints
- 2011 194 complaints
- 2012 514 complaints
- 2013 667 complaints
- 2014 902 complaints
- 2015 902 complaints
- 2016 816 complaints
- 2017 272 complaints
- 2018 219 complaints
- 2019 137 complaints
- 2020 387 complaints
- 2021 238 complaints
- 2022 94 complaints
- 2023 54 complaints
- 2024 30 complaints
- 2025 12 complaints
Recalls
22V096000 · Feb 18, 2022
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020
ENGINE
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.
19V120000 · Feb 22, 2019
ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
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…
17V608000 · Sep 29, 2017
STEERING
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.
15V123000 · Mar 2, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
Complaints
902 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 33, fire flag on 69, injury field 28, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SOUL EV | 1 | 2 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP18003 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Aug 21, 2018 | May 10, 2019 |
| PE19004 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Mar 29, 2019 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| EA21003 | Engine Fires · ENGINE | Dec 22, 2021 | Feb 5, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul · 1.6L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Soul · 1.6L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Soul ECO dynamics · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Soul · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2014 Kia Soul at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.