The 2014 Kia Soul has 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 903 complaints with NHTSA, including 33 crashes, 69 fires, 28 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (554 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2014 Kia Soul recalls
Front Air Bags May Not Deploy in a Crash
Some 2014 Kia Soul vehicles may have a software problem in the Air Bag Control Unit.
Engine Fire Risk While Driving: Free Inspection and Repair
An engine compartment fire can occur while the vehicle is being driven.
Engine May Stall or Leak Oil, Creating Crash and Fire Risk
Certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles with a 1.6L gasoline direct injection engine may have excessively high exhaust gas temperatures.
Steering Can Be Lost if Pinion Gear Separates
The pinion plug in the steering gear assembly may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear.
Accelerator Pedal May Bend or Break, Hindering Acceleration
A section of the accelerator pedal in certain 2014-2015 Kia Soul and Soul electric vehicles, built between July 21, 2013 and January 8, 2015, may bend and fracture.
Most common 2014 Kia Soul problems
Problem areas named in the 903 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 554 |
| Exterior Lighting | 130 |
| Electrical System | 98 |
| Unknown Or Other | 85 |
| Power Train | 58 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 57 |
| Steering | 55 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 54 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 |
| Service Brakes | 31 |
What owners report
this vehicle was service with a new engine in 2021 by the kia dealer in South Attleboro mass the car began to start loosing power on 10/15/ 2026 it now needs a new engine again I call the kia dealer to see if it had warranted and they said because it has 198 thousand miles the warranted is gone I don't understand how is a new engine last for only 3 years . no explanation after that please I need someone to let me know what is really happening with these Kia"s cause my 2018 also have the same problem and is not because of oil cause it has been service by the kia dealer itself . although I hav notice also that after service my oil will drop easily and I would have to put more oil in it can
I purchased my Kia Soul because I believed I was purchasing a dependable vehicle that I could rely on for my everyday transportation. Unfortunately, my experience with the vehicle has been very different. Over time, I have experienced ongoing and serious problems with the engine, particularly excessive oil consumption. The vehicle consumes oil frequently and requires repeated oil top-offs. I have had to visit the oil service location so often to have the oil checked and topped off that the staff now recognizes me. This is not something I consider normal maintenance for a vehicle that is supposed to be operating properly. My concerns became even more serious when my Kia Soul stalled while I
Trouble with acceleration, when coming to a full stop then trying to accelerate the car feels like it doesn't want to move. Slows down to approximately 15mph when going up hills even when gas pedal pushed down all the way. Feels like it's about to stall at stop signs, etc.
I bought the car August 21st 2026 and I'm September 20th I was driving down the interstate and my car starting shaking. I found out it's the catholic converter. I read they're was a recall on the Kia for that issue.
The Engine powered down to the point where the car stalled out. It would not accelerate. This was quite dangerous! I was in traffic when this happened. Trying to get it to a safer spot, I restarted the engine a few times; the brakes were extremely hard & wouldn't let me mash them down to catch to stop, so I immediately pulled the handbrake up & shut the engine off. I smelled a weird smell, like something was burning too. I had it towed to the shop & even though No lights were on, we plugged it up & it gave the 0420P code for the Bank 1 sensor Exhaust Flow issue. Mechanic stated he thought it might be the Catalytic Convertor. About 2 weeks beforehand, the oil light had come on, added 2 qua
2014 Kia Soul safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 5 | 5 | 4 (14.7% rollover risk) |
2014 Kia Soul questions
Does the 2014 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2014 Kia Soul: Front Air Bags May Not Deploy in a Crash; Engine Fire Risk While Driving: Free Inspection and Repair; Engine May Stall or Leak Oil, Creating Crash and Fire Risk; Steering Can Be Lost if Pinion Gear Separates; Accelerator Pedal May Bend or Break, Hindering Acceleration. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Soul?
Based on 903 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (554), Exterior Lighting (130), Electrical System (98).
How safe is the 2014 Kia Soul?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2014 Kia Soul up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2014 Kia Soul has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.