TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Kia Soul lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Kia Soul have filed 87 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 68,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
87
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Soul | 3 |
| 2011 Soul | 12 |
| 2012 Soul | 7 |
| 2013 Soul | 5 |
| 2014 Soul (this page) | 87 |
| 2015 Soul | 24 |
| 2016 Soul | 13 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 87 lighting complaints filed for the 2014 Kia Soul, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Kia Soul we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 87.
Owners have filed 87 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSBELE152_Rev1: MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACEMENT FOR HEADLAMP FLICKERING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the multi-function switch on some 2014MY Soul (PS) vehicles, produced from July 21, 2013 through June 20, 2014, which may exhibit intermittent flickering of the low/high beams.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACEMENT FOR HEADLAMP FLICKERING - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the multi-function switch on some 2014MY Soul (PS) vehicles, produced from July 21, 2013 through June 20, 2014, which may exhibit intermittent flickering of the low/high beams.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (WTY010) - OWNER LETTER - Dear Kia Soul Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. takes pride in providing you with high quality and dependable vehicles. In order to maintain these standards, Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the headlamp multi-function switch assembly on the 2014 MY Kia Soul vehicle from 5-years/60,000-miles to 15-years/unlimited-miles, starting from the date of first service. The contact points in the multi-function switch may become worn and could result in intermittent headlamp flickering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Kia Souls consistently report headlights that flicker, dim, or cut out entirely while driving—sometimes in automatic mode, sometimes tied to turn-signal activation, and often without warning. The problem occurs at any speed, on highways and city streets, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. Several owners describe lights staying off for seconds to 20+ seconds before returning. Dashboard lights sometimes flicker or extinguish along with the headlights.
The root cause owners identify repeatedly: melted or warped connectors and sockets at the headlight assembly. Multiple owners found discolored, partially melted plugs when replacing bulbs. Owners report replacing bulbs multiple times only to have the same sockets fail again. Some have replaced entire headlight assemblies on several occasions with the problem recurring.
Dealers consistently tell owners they cannot reproduce the issue with diagnostic equipment, therefore won't repair or cover it under warranty. One owner mentioned TSB ELE093 and another referenced service bulletins on defective lighting connections, but dealerships claimed unfamiliarity. Several owners cite over 130 NHTSA complaints on the same problem yet state Kia has not issued a recall and only pays warranty repairs on vehicles still under coverage. Owners report diagnostic fees ($80) and out-of-pocket repairs ($100–$800) for parts and labor. One owner replaced the multifunction switch at dealer expense with reported temporary success; another installed an aftermarket harness pig-tail at own cost.
All owners describe this as a serious safety hazard when driving at night on dark roads.
Same Kia Soul lighting reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Headlight flickering and complete shutdown in automatic mode
Headlights in automatic mode flicker intermittently or shut off without warning while driving or stationary, sometimes triggered by turn-signal activation. Lights may stay off for seconds to minutes before returning.
When: While driving or stationary; occurs at any speed on highways and city streets; some reports tied to turn signals or initial startup
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker on and off repeatedly; Complete loss of headlights while driving; Lights return after being off for seconds to 20+ seconds; Problem sometimes associated with turn-signal activation; Occurs both in motion and while parked; Happens on low and high beams
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cannot reproduce with diagnostic equipment and refuse repair without confirmed failure on scan tool; multifunction switch replacement attempted in some cases (one reported success); TSB ELE093 mentioned by one owner but not widely acknowledged by dealers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB ELE093 exists for defective lighting connections; Kia has not issued a recall; warranty coverage limited to vehicles still under original warranty; case numbers assigned but no further assistance provided (cases 14989817, 124-09-938 cited)
Melted or warped headlight connectors and sockets
Headlight connector plugs and sockets melt, warp, brown, or char from overheating. Owners find discolored, partially melted sockets when replacing bulbs. Heat damage suggests defective connector materials that cannot withstand normal engine bay temperatures.
When: Occurs early in bulb life (days to weeks after replacement) and recurs repeatedly at same location; owners report problem starting as early as 25,000 miles and recurring through 136,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visibly melted, warped, or charred connector plug; Brown or blackened socket interior; Bulb replacement does not cure problem—same socket fails again; Evidence of overheating at connector site
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report independent mechanic assessments confirming melted connectors; aftermarket harness pig-tail replacement ($100 in one case); factory headlight assembly replacement ($800 in one case); dealer acknowledges melted internal connector (see repair notes in #16) but repair often quoted out-of-warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attribute to bulb quality or do not acknowledge; no warranty coverage once vehicle is out of warranty; manufacturer stated failure not included in recall despite multiple NHTSA complaints; one bulletin reference to substandard connector material
Headlight bulbs burning out or failing prematurely
Bulbs burn out, go dark, or stop illuminating shortly after installation. Owners replace bulbs repeatedly (sometimes multiple times in months) only to have them fail again at the same socket, suggesting electrical fault rather than bulb defect.
When: Days to weeks after bulb replacement; problem recurs at same bulb socket location; some reports spanning years (2015–2019 on same vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Bulb fails to illuminate or dims after a few minutes; Bulb works briefly then goes dark; Same bulb socket fails repeatedly despite bulb replacement; Bulb appears unblown but inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced bulbs multiple times using manufacturer-approved products; one owner tried three additional bulb replacements via independent mechanic with recurring driver-side failure; repeated bulb purchases (costs not detailed)
Dashboard and interior lights flickering with headlights
Dashboard lights (speedometer display, radio clock, interior cabin lights) flicker or go black in sync with headlight failures. Indicates broader electrical disturbance in lighting circuit, not isolated to headlamps.
When: When headlights flicker or cut out; often triggered by turn-signal activation or vehicle movement
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights and displays flicker in sync with headlights; Interior cabin lights go black when headlights cut out; Speedometer and clock displays affected; All lights return when headlights reset
Repairs/costs cited: Multifunction switch replacement attempted in at least one case; wiring overheating diagnosed in one case (not yet repaired)
Headlight assembly lens degradation and melting
Headlight lens develops orange-peel cracking on interior surface; lens and internal components overheat and melt, requiring full headlight assembly replacement.
When: At low mileage (reported at 35,112 and 100,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Orange-peel surface cracking on inside of lens; Headlight assembly overheated and melted; Internal bulb socket melted; Failure to illuminate or dim illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Full headlight assembly replacement required; one owner replaced assemblies multiple times with recurrence; warranty replacement mentioned in at least one case (#16)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership did replace under warranty (case #16); customer's insurance policy (10-year bumper-to-bumper) declined coverage in another case (#33)
Rear running light failure (LED assembly)
Driver's side rear running light goes out intermittently. Factory LED tail-light assembly becomes non-functional despite brake light, turn indicator, and hazard working normally.
When: After vehicle has been running; recurs after temporary fixes
Symptoms owners cite: Rear running light goes out after running vehicle; Tail light assembly fully functional but running light inoperative; Brake light, turn indicator, hazard light all work normally
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse flip provided temporary fix but did not resolve recurrence; issue ongoing
Synthesized from 87 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The headlight bulb connector has melted on the driver side and headlight no longer turns on. Passenger side still works but will need to get replaces asap.
The driver side headlight will flicker or entirely turn off. We have replaced the bulb multiple times with manufacture products and discovered the electric plug to the headlight is melted. This is a safety issue as we cannot drive at night safely. Each time we replace the bulb it stops functioning in a few days to weeks.
Had lighting trouble with your 2014 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2014 Kia Soul?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 87 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 74 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 45,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Kia/Soul.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.