What 512 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Soul

The contact's son owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact's daughter-in-law looked through the glass door of the residence and noticed that the vehicle had caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire started from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the entire vehicle had burned significantly. The fire was extinguished by fire department, and the fire department filed a report. The contact stated that he resided in a lot for RVs converted into permanent residences. The contact stated that the contact's residence and a neighbor's residence sustained heat damage from the vehicle fire, and the side of the contact's residence melted. The contact's deck also caught on fire, and the fire was extinguished by fire department. The vehicle was totaled. The vehicle remained at the residence. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed but the police report information was not available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652(Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which the contact related to the failure. The contact stated that the recall notice had not been received. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11689749

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle independently accelerated while depressing the brake pedal. The contact steered the vehicle to the left in an attempt to stop the acceleration and repeatedly depressed the brake pedal. Due to the failure, the contact hit a curb, a sidewalk post, and finally, a retaining wall which stopped the vehicle. The sidewalk post was damaged due to the crash. The contact was unaware if any warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. A woman was knocked over by the vehicle as a result of the failure. The woman sustained a cut to her right hand and suffered pain to the right side of her body. The woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment, her whereabouts remain unknown. The contact was treated at the scene by paramedics but did not need further medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent mechanic and was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,700.

NHTSA ODI 11557416

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH the braking system suddenly activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. Smoke was then seen coming from under the front end of the vehicle. After the contact exited the vehicle flames and smoke began to engulf the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was later towed to the home. The extent of the damage to the vehicle and the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ODI 11528499

While driving down the freeway, the engine began to smoke and caught fire. My husband and kids were in the car but were fortunately able to pull over without physical injuries. Our insurance company held the car and a third party company (hired by Kia) concluded “ the origin of the fire is in the engine compartment at the exhaust manifold. The cause of the fire is internal engine failure resulting in a hole in the block allowing oil to escape and ignite on contact with heated exhaust components”. There were no warnings, check engine light, etc. Kia pointed us towards a class action lawsuit but when you search our VIN # on Kia’s website, there’s are no recalls or issues reported, which is clearly false. Our family escaped serious injury/death but it could have easily been a different story. I will not stay silent and let this happen to other families. I am going to continue to advocate for my family until Kia listens.

NHTSA ODI 11525369

i was driving, all of a sudden my car started losing speed so i got onto the shoulder. then i saw smoke and a fire from under the hood. the door stuck and i hit it with my shoulder to get out. 30 seconds after i got out the engine bay exploded.

NHTSA ODI 11523474

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash no air bags deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury which did not require medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. In a second incident, the vehicle crashed down an embankment, and again no airbags had deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury that did not require medical treatment. Recently while operating the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and the engine was burning excessive oil and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11519953

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph a loud popping sound originated from the undercarriage on the driver's side. The contact witnessed smoke coming from the engine compartment and veered to the vehicle side of the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact was then notified by pedestrians, that a fire was originating from the engine compartment, and the contact exited the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a report was available. Additionally, the contact stated that the Engine Oil Level and the check engine safety light had been illuminated for three days prior to the failure, and approximately three quarts of oil were added four to five days before the fire. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515170

On July 14, 2022 at approximately 7:41 pm in Jacksonville, FL. The car hydroplaned and flip 3 times which ended up with the vehicle have significant damage to the front end and roof of the car. The driver side airbag did not deploy during this accident. Which makes me real concern, thank goodness my son-in law was able to walk away from the crash. However he is now experiencing problems from the impact and faulty air bags not deploying. I noticed that a recall was for 2014 but did not include the 2012 model. This is something of concern and needs to be investigated. The car has since been donated to DAV, if this information is needed please let me know as well as pictures of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11478194

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, she saw smoke exiting the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and after exiting the vehicle, she saw a fire that started under the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was unaware if a fire report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her sister's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464457

Loss of power to brakes while braking at low speed resulting in a crash, air bag deployment and blowout of driver airbag. Driver sustained chemical burns, and abdomen bruising. The fire department extinguished a small fire . The KIA is a almost total loss .

NHTSA ODI 11447270

The rod punctured the engine block and caused a fire around the fuel pump area. Signs on the positive battery terminal of jumping backwards. Kia believes the cause of the fire was the engine falling apart. I had been travelling free of worry when I heard a high whirring sound then a bang coming from the engine. I pulled over immediately and upon opening the hood discovered a fire. Good samaritans pulled over and put the fire out, there were 3 females in my car who could've burned alive had the others not stopped. The car needed a new engine at the cost of $7,404.08 I sold this car to Carvana and am waiting for Kia to get their act together and refund the cost of potentially killing 3 people. I have all paperwork from Kia regarding the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11436472

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, a abnormal noise and odor appeared from the rear both driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road, turn the vehicle off, wait for about 15 minutes, attempted to turn the vehicle back on when the noise became louder and the check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle then was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the command rod fractured and went through the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not drivable. In addition, a visible leak was noticed by the technician. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recalls were under the VIN. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V12000 ( Engine, engine coolant ) as a possible solution to the failure however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximate 90,600.

NHTSA ODI 11430641

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside of the vehicle. Additionally, the brake lights were inoperable prior to replacing the rear taillight housings. After replacing the brake lamp housings, the contact became aware that the brake lamps remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the abs module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was warned that the vehicle was at risk of catching on fire. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was smoking, and the wires were melting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered by recall or warranty. The approximate failure mileage 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424409

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS AN UNKNOWN COLOR SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. AS THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE AS TWO FELLOW MOTORISTS ASSISTED HER WITH THROWING A BLANKET OVER THE FLAMES TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE AUTHORITIES WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TOM DOLAN'S RENO KIA(9455 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT AN ENGINE ROD HAD BLOWN THREW AN ENGINE BLOCK. THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH ENGINE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,402.

NHTSA ODI 11400128

THE ENGINE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11390200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED ALSO WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTART OF THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ALERTED BY A FELLOW MOTORIST THAT HER VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE(FIRE ORIGIN UNKNOWN). THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER BELIEVED THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN; NO INJURIES WERE SUFFERED DUE TO THE FIRE. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11373862

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS WELL AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS CLOSED TO THE DEALER AND COASTED INTO SPRITZER KIA CLEVELAND (3414 BROOKPARK RD, CLEVELAND, OH 44134) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11330025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, DROVE OFF THE ROAD, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT KNOB SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN SCRATCHES TO THE LEFT LEG, ARMS, CHIN, AND CHEST. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND FRONT BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 9630 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11286493

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, AND ALL THE LIGHTS LINING THE FREEWAY WERE OUT. IT WAS PITCH BLACK, AND A COW HAD MADE ITS WAY INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. IT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT INTO THE AIR, AND FLEW RIGHT INTO MY CAR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF ADOT'S FENCES WERE DOWN THAT WAS CONTAINING CATTLE. I WAS IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, ALONG WITH MULTIPLE OTHER VEHICLES. I FILED A POLICE REPORT AND HAVE THAT CASE NUMBER AS WELL. I HAVE PHOTO AND VIDEO EVIDENCE PROOF.

NHTSA ODI 11278738

HELLO.. I AM A LITTLE UPSET. I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT THE SPEED OF 40MPG. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. I ENDED UP HITTING MY CHIN AND JAW ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI 11271186

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED RUSTY WALLACE KIA OF KNOXVILLE (701 CALLAHAN DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37912, (865) 688-8886) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MISSED THE APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SON NOTICED A HOLE IN PISTON NUMBER TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL REMAINED AT THE SAME DEALER WHERE THEY FAILED TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13379468. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11270505

MY 2012 KIA SOUL'S ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING WHILE MY 19 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING HOME ONLY TWO MILES ON A 35 MPH ROAD! THE FLAMES WHERE SO HOT BUT LUCKILY WE LIVE BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH WAS THERE WITHIN MINUTES AND PUT IT OUT. WAITING ON KIA TO MAKE RIGHT!

NHTSA ODI 11242501

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATED ON OR ABOUT MARCH 29, A TAPPING NOISE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON APRIL 2ND AND THE NOISE WAS REDUCED. ON APRIL 3RD WHILED DRIVING TO WORK THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROD FRACTURED CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN WHICH RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE DEALER GOSSETT KIA, 1900 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, 901-388-8989, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11207234

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE DETECTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHICH LED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO CASA KIA 1374 GEORGE DIETER DR, EL PASO, TX 79936 (915) 856-2982 WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RESULTS FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE RESULTS WAS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPAIRS WERE DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.

NHTSA ODI 11207248

WAS GOING DOWN TEN, KIA CAN'T DETERMINE IF MY POWER STEERING WANT BOUT WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 55, AND THEN HITTING A DEER. THE BODY WORK HAS BEEN FIXED BUT MY VEHICLE HAS NO POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING IS NOT RESPONDING - MDPS WILL NOT COMMUNICATE WITH VEHICLE. FAILURE IN ELECTRONIC MDPS AT TOP OF STEERING COLUMN. THEY CHECKED ALL CONNECTORS, AND NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO COLUMN ITSELF. FOUND C1503 -ESC/ECS (ESP) ERROR AND C1687 - TIME OUT VSM2 (MDPS) FAILURE. DIAGNOSIS SAYS I NEED A POWER STEERING COLUMN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. GEICO REFUSES TO COVER THIS SAYING IT'S A COMMON ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ISSUE WITH KIA'S. IF THESE ARE MESSING UP ELECTRONICALLY WHILE DRIVING THIS YEAR FOR 2012 SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT FEELS AS IF INSURANCE HAS FOUND A LOOPHOLE TO NOT COVER KIA SOULS WITH POWER STEERING. I ALSO SAW A CORROSION ISSUE RECALL AND MY CAR WAS FROM OHIO WHICH I LIVED THERE YEARS WITH IT BEFORE MOVING TO VIRGINIA. NO ONE AT THE NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA KIA EVEN MENTIONED THE RECALL FOR MY VIN #, I FOUND IT WHILE REGISTERING MY KIA ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI 11155899