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The 2014 Kia Soul has 894 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 5 active recall campaigns.
The 2014 Kia Soul has 894 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 458 complaints, typically surfacing around 105,716 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Soul | 193 | 3 |
| 2012 Soul | 514 | 3 |
| 2013 Soul | 659 | 3 |
| 2014 Soul (this page) | 894 | 5 |
| 2015 Soul | 900 | 4 |
| 2016 Soul | 802 | 2 |
| 2017 Soul | 270 | 1 |
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
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.
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: 2014 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.
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.
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 105,716 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.8/10 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 →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.
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.
"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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 894 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.
On the NHTSA data, the 2014 Kia Soul is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 38 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 89 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 56,000–107,000 mi; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 458 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 105,716 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.
It scores 5.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 894 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 105,716 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.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 458 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 105,716 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 76,302 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 894 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 are not always better value.