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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-KIA-SOUL
2014 · kia

kia Soul problems

1 safety recall. 883 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
453 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
88 reports · avg $850
critical
lighting
87 reports · avg $250
moderate
steering
55 reports · avg $700
severe
powertrain
52 reports · avg $2,500
severe
cruise control
21 reports · avg $600
severe
airbags
19 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
19 reports · avg $450
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Soul · cruise control Crash
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE IN REVERSE AFTER LETTING OFF (REMOVING FOOT FROM) THE ACCELERATOR AND MOVING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY SPED UP AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING DEPRESSED. THE FIRST OCCASION WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON ON AN…
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164212.0
2014 Soul · engine
This vehicle has been a nightmare for half of the time that I’ve had it. I first took it back to the Kia dealership in 2019 because of the check engine light and told them it was pulling a 420 code I knew that was a catalytic converter which had been recalled. After a few hours…
12/30/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445676.0
2014 Soul · airbags Crash
AFTER HITTING A SNOW PILE LEFT FROM A SNOW PLOW I JUMPED THE SNOW PILE AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER GOING BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY. I HIT IT MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT NOTHING HAPPENED STILL. I DESTROYED THE BUMPER AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE PROTECTION IS…
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385709.0
2014 Soul · brakes
I was driving my 2014 Kia Soul on Friday 12/12 when without any warning the brakes went out. Thankfully I was able to get it to a parking lot without incident and requested a tow. After having it repaired, the mechanics stated the brake lines completely popped due to brake line…
12/29/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707517.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 22V096000 18/02/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles

Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2014 Kia Soul reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 883 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Kia Soul has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 Kia Soul?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 453 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. 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 2014 Kia Soul?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 883 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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