2012 Kia Soul problems
The 2012 Kia Soul has 513 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2012 Kia Soul has 513 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 173 complaints, typically surfacing around 120,116 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Soul | 134 | 0 |
| 2011 Soul | 193 | 1 |
| 2012 Soul (this page) | 513 | 0 |
| 2013 Soul | 659 | 1 |
| 2014 Soul | 892 | 1 |
| 2015 Soul | 898 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced.
- 16 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
- Steering: 166 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 44,507–90,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Kia Soul? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 173 owner reports · tends to show around 120,116 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 166 owner reports · tends to show around 72,149 mi · ~$700 to fix
- brakes — 39 owner reports · tends to show around 121,657 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 75,217 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 120,116 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Kia Soul
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2012 Kia Soul
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~30,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~68,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~69,000 misteering~$700
- ~74,599 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~122,746 mibrakes~$450
- ~125,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I saw a puff of smoke then the engine started knocking while I was driving, I had the car brought home and I called Joey Griffen dealership and they told me it will be a four month wait that I would have to come out of pocket $7000 to have it fixed, that's when I found out about…
My car died while driving it down the highway. And I couldn't get it drive. I had to have it towed.
Recall 19V120 received 4-12-19 was addressed by Burlington Kia in May 2019. The COP ECU logic was upgraded. The car was not running well in 2022 - hesitating, misfiring, but it did not throw a code so no one could diagnose the issue. Spark plugs were changed but that did not…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ23002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2012 Kia Soul reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 513 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Kia Soul is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Kia Soul?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Kia Soul is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 16 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Steering: 166 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 44,507–90,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Kia Soul?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 173 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 120,116 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Kia Soul a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 513 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 120,116 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Kia Soul?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 173 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 120,116 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,149 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Kia Soul?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 513 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.