Home · 2012 Kia Soul · Complaints

What 512 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Soul

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (512)Crash / fire / injury (46)Engine (208)Steering (166)Brakes (45)Electrical system (38)Engine & cooling (31)Fuel system (23)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Body & structure (18)Airbags (17)Lights (10)

38 of 512 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Oct 14, 2025BrakesElectrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact informed the dealer of an attempted theft of the vehicle and that the ignition was damaged. The dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be performed. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11693344

Oct 10, 2025SteeringElectrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while reversing and parking the vehicle, the steering wheel malfunctioned and became difficult to turn, and the driver was unable to control the direction of the vehicle, causing the rear passenger side wheel to strike the curb. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the steering failure was due to a faulty ignition key. The keys were replaced, but later the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who indicated that the keys needed to be reprogrammed. The keys were reprogrammed. Later, while at the dealer the steering wheel failure reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11692488

Sep 25, 2025BrakesElectrical systemFire

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

Aug 27, 2025Electrical system

I had some work done on the drive train of my car by a local mechanic. When I picked up the car, the Brake light and the Low Tire light were on. I asked the mechanic to see about getting them turned off. He came to me a bit later, said they tried to replace a fuse connected to these sensors, and the fuse blew out a small flame when they tried to start the car. He looked it up and discovered there was a recall on this very fuse from Kia (I never received a notice), and he had the car towed to the local dealership. They are refusing to correct the issue because they said he messed it up, and therefore they are not liable. They are wanting to charge me several thousand dollars to fix the problem. This seems completely insane because were it not for their faulty equipment, none of this would have happened. They are also refusing to perform a recall on the ABS system, claiming that someone has previously worked on it. Unless they did it before I bought the car in 2017, no one has worked on the ABS system. Again, they are trying to charge me $2000+ to fix this issue on top of the other.

NHTSA ODI 11683497

Jul 6, 2025SteeringElectrical systemEngine

While driving KIA 2012: It will suddenly quit running while driving. Loss of control of steering. Loss of electrical controls, ie: brake lights, head lights & all electrical devices. Dangerous to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11671409

Jul 3, 2025SteeringElectrical systemBody & structure

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA ID Number: 10247553 (Steering, Structure, Electrical System), and the vehicle intermittently failed to start. While driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle jerked and shut off unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent; however, the failure mostly occurred while the radio or A/C was in use. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact used a diagnostic machine and retrieved a code for a failure with the ignition, and that an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11670995

Jun 25, 2024Electrical systemEngine

Vehicle first started to have issue with the blower motor relay, unknowingly at the time, that was the issue I had brought it to numerous mechanics, told it’s my blower motor itself, then took it to Kia and was told it’s not and they put my old one back in and didn’t solve any issue, on my way home my check engine light came on, driving on the HWY at 70mph. I get off on my exit slow down to the speed of 40Mph stop at the red light and then my vehicle starts to stall, refused to go faster then 40mph and was fighting it, at 7rpms. Local shop said it was some sort of sensor, had another mechanic look at it and found that KIA hadn’t put my Cars Computer back on my vehicle, so it was just flapping around, once he reconnected it the issue disappeared. Following this I have had a ticking engine for 2/3 years. Local mechanic said it was my Engine lifters, so we replaced all 18. The noise never stopped. I brought it back and was told I need a replacement engine the long block specifically, I couldn’t afford to replace it, years later it’s still making this noise at start up, in idel and when driving and becomes louder when I accelerate. I have had a hard time getting my vehicle to accelerate to HWY speeds at an efficient and safe level, having to use hazard lights. My car has had a gas fuel leak, repaired. I had to get a rental car. The blower motor relay has to be replaced every 3/4 months since it failed the first time years ago in order for my AC/heat to work, I’m a single mother, who is disabled with a special needs child, and a very low fixed income, this is a major safety concern on top of the HECU recall, I have asked for a buy back or a refund or replacement vehicle and have been denied, or at least reimbursement for the costs associated. Kia is negligent and obviously doesn’t seem to care whatsoever about their customers or their safety. If I could afford it I would sue them. Fire hazard, engine fire, stalling, ect.

NHTSA ODI 11596578

Apr 3, 2024SteeringElectrical systemEngine

Despite being assured for years by KIA that my vehicle was not affected by this recall, I received a recall notice in DECEMBER 2023 for the HECU. Now it is April, and my vehicle still is not repaired because KIA STILL has not supplied the part required to fix this safety issue. Because of the high theft issue of my vehicle, I cannot park it outside and KIA is now telling me I cannot park the vehicle inside because of fire hazard. I have had to pay a higher insurance premium just to keep my car insured and have even been denied insurance by Farmers and Progressive. I am afraid to drive my car and how am I supposed to afford another car? Some dealers will not even consider the car as a trade in.

NHTSA ODI 11580934

Feb 14, 2024Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a local dealer to have the vehicle checked due to recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact was contacted by the dealer and was advised that the check engine warning light was illuminated and that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed and that the vehicle needed a BGC Fuel Induction service. The contact picked up the vehicle and was advised by the dealer to drive the vehicle for 100 miles and then return the vehicle to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that after picking up the vehicle, she was driving at approximately 30 MPH, when the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that her daughter called the dealer to check on the repair status of the vehicle and was advised that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11571939

Nov 29, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAirbagsCrash2 injuries

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

Oct 2, 2023SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65MPH AND MY CAR JUST BEGAN TO IDLE AND SLOWED DOWN TO REDUCING SPEED QUICKLY. I COULD NOT GIVE IT ENOUGH ACCELERATION TO PICK UP SPEED. I PULLED OVER TO SHUT MY ENGINE CAR OFF. TURNED CAR BACK ON AND MY RPMS TO SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR WERE LOW. I HAD TO SHIFT MY GEARS QUICKLY TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. SINCE THEN, MY ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND I CANNOT GO FASTER THAN 50MPH

NHTSA ODI 11547738

Apr 7, 2023Electrical systemSpeed control

The series of events leading to my theory of what is wrong with my 2012 Kia Soul: 1. Steering coupler replacement in March of 2021 left my steering wheel sideways instead of straight, air bag light remains on, and traction control light as well. The after-market (I assume) cruise control is automatically on when car is started. Must turn off manually. 2. U-joint connecting to steering column fell onto my feet while driving in December of 2021. I slid it back on, but it slipped off approximately 4 more times in the next month before it was strongly secured. 3. Alignment performed in February 2022. Approximately 2 weeks after the alignment, my car started stuttering, if you will, prior to shifting into third gear. Then, again, prior to each shift into the higher gears. It stalled a few times in response to this action. While accelerating, the car begins to jerk severely, as if the brakes are being pumped. It doesn't do this immediately, but only begins once it's warmed up. Several sensors have been replaced. Fuel filter replaced. It's a standard, but the transmission was replaced after I purchased it in 2018. After hooking up to the code scanner at the parts store, the Steering Tilt Sensor is the code shown. My theory is this: When the steering coupler was replaced leaving my steering wheel in the turned position, and then aligning it with it in the wrong position, that threw the tilt code. Maybe it's jerking because it thinks I'm turning when I'm not, and it could possibly be engaging the abs to slow me down while it thinks I'm turning. Would I be wrong in assuming that if I get the steering wheel straightened, get another alignment, and clear the steering tilt sensor, my car will act normal again? I am uncertain what system or part failed, but it is definitely available to be inspected. I could have died when the u-joint fell off if I hadn't been almost to a stop sign every time. The problem continues, but has not been addressed or confirmed by a dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11515984

Jan 7, 2021Electrical systemEngine

UPON MY LAST SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME MY OIL WAS LOW. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING TO ADD OIL. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE ISSUE. LAST WEEK WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX 50 MILES HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS GONE. THE CAR HAS 97,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED MYSELF FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS USING SYNTHETIC OIL.

NHTSA ODI 11387025

Dec 3, 2020Electrical system

TRIED STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS BLACK. NO READINGS FOR ANY OF THE GAUGES AND SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. CAR WAS DRIVABLE AFTER RELEASING THE GEAR WITH THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, BUT NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKING. COULDN'T SEE ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, HEAT GAUGE BECAUSE IT WASN'T MOVING OR LIT UP.

NHTSA ODI 11377814

Aug 8, 2020Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL AND WITH REGISTRATION PAPERS I RECEIVED RECALL PAPERS STATING 2 RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LEGAL TO SELL VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING IT FIXED.?? NEXT I. TAKE MY VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER ON MONDAY AUGUST 3 TO FIX RECALLS THEY.SAID.NO CODES SHOW.. I DRIVE HOME 45 MINI AWAY. CAR DIES. INEXT MORNING.IT.DIES.AGAIN WONT START.. I LOOKS UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE.IS A.WIRE BURING THROUGH MY FUS BOX WHICH WAS NOT THERE BEFORE AND NOW I HAVE NO.POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT I KNOW THAT WIRE WASN'T THERE BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI 11344118

Feb 21, 2020Electrical system

CAR IS IN P AS RK. CAR IS NOT MOVING. CAR IS NOT ALREADY STARTED. OFTEN THE CAR WON'T START. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHEN KEY IS PLACED IN IGNITION, BUT WONT TURN OVER. YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WILL EVENTUALLY START. CAR GURUS HAS OVER 150 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. IT APPEARS IT'S A COIL OF SOME TYPE. MULTIPLE VEHICLES VARIOUS YEARS. HE DEALERSHIPS OFTEN JUST RECOMMEND REPLACING STARTER OR BATTERY. BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. IT'S A PRODUCT DEFECT. SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11310638

Oct 6, 2019Electrical systemEngine

CAR IS JERKING/BUCKING AND MISFIRING WHILE IDLE AND WHEN DRIVING IT JERKS. CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY TURNS ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI 11266668

Aug 10, 2019SteeringElectrical system

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD POPPING NOISE IT IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY. THE LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN TURNED ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11243013

Jul 3, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel system

NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ON. AT RANDOM, ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER, BUT DOES NOT QUIT. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, CAR ONLY REACHES APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. OBSERVED TO HAPPEN AFTER TURNING IGNITION KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. HOWEVER, OCCURRENCE IS RANDOM, AND NO ENGINE WARNING CODE IS GIVEN. MECHANICS FIND NOTHING WRONG, DUE TO NO WARNING CODE.

NHTSA ODI 11229153

May 20, 2019Electrical system

AFTER WORK ON 4/30/19, I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE PARKING DECK ATTENDANT. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT STARTED SHAKING AND SOUNDING ROUGH, AS IF IT WERE STRUGGLING TO STAY ON. I DROVE IT FOR A FEW MILES, BUT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE MORE THAN 35 OR SO MPH. IT WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISE THE ENTIRE WAY. I ONLY DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE TO THE NEXT EXIT, SO THAT I COULD FIND AN OPEN PARKING LOT JUST IN CASE IT CUT OFF ON ME. I CALLED AAA AND GOT A TOW HOME DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR. THE NEXT MORNING, AAA TOWED ME TO A AAA CAR CARE FACILITY AND I LET THEM DO REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION COIL # 4 WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE, PLUS THE SPARK PLUGS AND AIR & CABIN FILTERS THAT THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED. HE SAID THAT THE OTHER 3 COILS SHOULD BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11208751

May 16, 2019SteeringElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

WHERE DO I START, MY 2012 KIA SOUL HAS ABOUT 86,000 MILES AND HAS EXPERIENCE ISSUES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE I CHANGED MY LEFT BRAKE LIGHT AND DISCOVERED IT WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WHERE BULB IS BURNT AND HAVE TO REPLACE ABOUT TWICE YEARLY. SECOND, SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO CRANK MY CAR IT WOULD START FAINTLY THEN STALL OUT AND I WILL HAVE TO RETRY AGAIN UNTIL IT CRANKS CORRECTLY. THIS HAVING ALSO BEEN OCCURRING FOR A FEW YEARS. THIRD, WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR I'VE EXPERIENCED A/C CONTROL PROBLEMS. WHEN I GO TO TURN IT ON IT WONT DO ANYTHING,NO DEFROST/BLOWING/HOT/COLD NOTHING. THEN I WOULD PROCEED TO KEEP TRYING TO TURN OFF AND ON AND OUT OF NO WHERE IT JUST STARTS ON ITS OWN. SOMETIMES IT'S SCARY ESPECIALLY WHEN I NEED TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS AND IT DECIDES NOT TO WORK. TOOK IT TO SUN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT AND SAID AND I QUOTE "IT HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE", WHATEVER THAT MEANS. FOURTH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL BUTTON. DONT KNOW IF IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS HAS ALSO STARTED WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR. FINALLY, ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO MY STEERING WHILE STARTED MAKING THIS ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT . THAT IS WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED OR STOPPED. IT JUST KEEPS CLICKING EVERY MOVEMENT, BUMPS AND TURNS. SUDDENLY I RECIEVED A LETTER ABOUT THIS GIVEN WARRANTY RECALLING MY VEHICLE TO GET FIXED. NOW I'M QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT IF MY OTHER PROBLEMS ARE COMMON IN OTHER VEHICLES AND IS ON THE ROLL TO RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11207951

May 14, 2019SteeringSuspensionElectrical system

RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA STATING TO HAVE MY STEERING CHECKED OUT . I AM HEARING A POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN LEFT IN THE STEERING. IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING THE KIA DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING GOING ON AND THEY KEEP TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. ALSO THERE'S A SUSPENSION NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEN I GO OVER A GREAT OR ANYTING EVEN A SMALL LITTLE DENT IN THE ROAD IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE BACK END OF MY CAR IS GOING TO FALL APART ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES MY LIGHTS DIM ON THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE THEN WHEN I GO THE LIGHTS WILL GO BRIGHT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11207500

Mar 18, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

CAR WAS GREAT UNTIL IT REACHED THE 100000 MILE MARK. THEN IT LOSES ALL POWER AND DIES WHILE GOING 65 TO 70 MPH ON FREEWAY! IT IS GOING TO GET ME KILLED! WHEN HAPPENS, THE RPM GAUGE QUICKLY PLUMMETS TO ZERO AND REMAINS THERE AT ZERO AFTER I GET IT RESTARTED. AFTER IT SITS FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES IT STARTS FINE WITH THE RPM GAUGE GIVING AN ACTUAL READING. THIS IS HAPPENING ABOUT 3 TIMES IN A 25 MILE SPAN!

NHTSA ODI 11187504

Mar 15, 2019Electrical systemEngine

MY 2012 KIA SOUL (BASE) WITH THE 1.6L GDI RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM ON I-80 TRAVELING BETWEEN DES MOINES, IA AND DENVER, CO. (THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS) AFTER REACHING AROUND 65 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN MISFIRING EMMITING OBD ERROR CODE 0336 INDICATION A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I STOPPED AT THE NEAREST AUTOZONE, BOUGHT A APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT, AND INSTALLED THE PART IN THE PARKING LOT. UPON IGNITION, THE CAR IMMIDIATELY BEGAN MISFIRING AND DIED. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE CAR STARTED AND MISFIRED; BUT IT SENT THE SAME 0336 CODE THEN THE TACHOMETER DIED. ALTHOUGH THE TECHOMETER DIED, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE (AND RUN) WITHOUT FURTHER MISFIRES. UPON SEEING THIS, I FIGURED IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS (AS THE SYMPTOMS ARE VERY SIMILIAR). I FOUND, AND REPLACED BOTH ENGINE MOUNTED CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS, BUT NO NEW SYMPTOMS UNTILL I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE EMMITED 3 OBD CODES, AND DIDNT START MISFIRING UNTIL THE TACHOMETER WENT OVER 3500 RPM. BY THEN, I WAS DOING A HIGHWAY TEST ON I-80 OUTSIDE LINCOLN, NE, AND THE CAR JUST DIED AT AROUND 55-65 MPH. IT EMMITED CODE 0336 FOR A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, 0565 FOR CRUISE CONTROL ON SIGNAL MALFUNCTION (I HAVE THE BASE MODEL, SO THERE IS NO CRUISE CONTROL), AND 0517 FOR BATTERY TEMPERATURE CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE INTERSTATE, AND BACK HOME WHERE THE PROBLEM CHANGED AGAIN. NOW IT MISFIRES UNTILL THE TACHOMETER HITS 3500, THEN THE TACHOMETER DIES AND THE VEHICLE APPEAR TO RUN NORMAL (DISPITE THE REOCCURING ODB2 CODES 0366, 0517, AND 0565) IT APPEARS THE ENGINE HEATED UP ENOUGH TO BURN OUT A BRAND NEW CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, AND CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY. (AND POSSIBLY THE ECU AS IT NOW REPORTS MY NON-EXISTANT CRUISE CONTROL IS MALFUNCTIONING)

NHTSA ODI 11187115

Dec 4, 2018SteeringElectrical systemCrash

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

Older →

Working with the data? Download all 512 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Kia Soul verdict →