10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,399 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Soul seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2012 Kia Soul Owner Comments

problem #16

Nov 012014

Soul

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 engine was burning excessive oil and that 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.

- St Peters, MO, USA

problem #15

Jul 142022

Soul

  • miles
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.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

problem #14

May 032022

Soul

  • miles
On April 25, 2022 the airbag light illuminated on the 2012 Kia soul. It was taken to the shop a Kia dealer on May 3, 2022. We were told by the mechanic that a contact assembly clock spring malfunctioned and if not repaired would be dangerous to drive the car because the airbag may not deploy. We inquired whether this issue was covered on the Kia airbag recall number SC229. Because this recall only covered Kia souls July 21, 2013-June 20, 2014.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #13

Aug 012020

Soul

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2012 Kia Soul has started to make a clunking sound when turning the steering wheel. On top of this the steering has become very loose when driving. While driving the wind blew at the car and the steering being so loose caused me to almost loose control and crash. Lucky for me there wasn't another car around or it would have hit me head on. It's hard to control it especially at higher speeds. I also noticed that the air bag light is constantly on also now. I'm not sure why that is happening. I hope it works in case this steering issue causes me to wreck. I need the car to drive to work and don't have the money to pay dealership to even look at it. While driving on the highway has become very nerve-wracking due to steering being so loose. I have read that everyo E with this year and model are having similar issues.

- Porterville, CA, USA

problem #12

Apr 052016

Soul

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the driver was going North on the outside lane at an intersection with the green traffic signal, another vehicle driving South made a left turn and crashed into the front of the drivers vehicle. The drivers side air bag deployed with force as well as fragments and a chemical substance that damaged the contacts left hand. The driver also sustained bruising and burns to the bust and chest. The injuries sustained from the impact of the air bags required further medical treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a impound lot and to be inspected and diagnosed to determine the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Rome, GA, USA

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problem #11

Feb 282016

Soul 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed over a pothole, the driver lost control of the vehicle crashing into the barrier and rolling over several times. The air bags failed to deployed. A police report was filed. Neither the driver nor the passenger sustained any injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 05/25/16

- Ponce, PR, USA

problem #10

Dec 182015

Soul 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact miscalculated a turn and crashed into a pole. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000....updated 02/04/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #9

Dec 092015

Soul

  • 112,000 miles
Driving a 2012 Kia Soul, truck unexpectedly stopped in front of me, light was green. Managed to stop and got hit in the rear by a Jeep, my vehicle was propelled into the pickup in front of me. Suffered injuries to neck, shoulder, R/arm R/elbow. Airbags did not deploy. Set restraints we all that prevented me from hitting the steering wheel and windshield. Injuries were from airbag not deploying properly. None deployed. Damage to front ansd rear of car, might be totaled.

- Radcliff, KY, USA

problem #8

Sep 282015

Soul

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. While driving 65 mph during inclement weather, the vehicle began to hydroplane. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

- Dinwiddie, VA, USA

problem #7

Jul 142015

Soul

  • 29,000 miles
My car was going approximately 50mph when it rear ended a stopped vehicle in the middle of a busy highway. Then my car was rear ended seconds afterwards. My car was scrunched (totaled), both front and back, and the airbags never deployed. Had the airbags deployed, the injuries to the driver would've been much less severe. I have huge concerns and doubts about the safety of this model. I don't think the airbags in this model propertly function.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #6

Jan 112014

Soul 4-cyl

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were traveling down a rural road in Kentucky. A deer ran out in front of us. We struck the deer at approximately 57 mph. There was considerable damage to the front end of the vehicle and it was not drivable. Our airbags did not deploy.

- Olmstead, KY, USA

problem #5

Feb 042013

Soul

  • 7,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, another vehicle crashed head-on into her vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The police and ambulance reported to the scene and a report was filed. The contact had to be removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained a broken hip, hand, forearm, ankle, leg, elbow and several fractured ribs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.

- Tieton, WA, USA

problem #4

Nov 262013

Soul

  • 24,000 miles
My wife was in an accident and flipped her Kia Soul several times and the air bags did not deploy, I have done some research and found that Kia's are known for this problem.

- Dandridge, TN, USA

problem #3

Jul 092013

Soul

  • 19,000 miles
I was slowing approaching parking spot. Vehicle started speeding rapidly, I could not stop vehicle and crashed into a brick building. My son was yelling to stop, I said I am trying and cannot. The air bags came out, car was smoking, badly dented. Windshield broke. We were bruised and scratched. There was over $9500 worth of damage. The vehicle malfunctioned and sped out of control.

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #2

Jan 172013

Soul 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
My spouse hit a large male deer head on at appx 55mph at about 5am this morning. The airbag deployed, but the blast from the airbag burned completely through the sleeves of his jacket, through two layers of shirts, and caused second degree burns of his arms. Had he not been wearing so many layers of clothing, we are confident that the burns would have been full thickness third degree burns. We have pictures of the burns on his arms and the burned garments. While we are pleased the airbag deployed, the heat generated and directed towards the driver is too high and extremely dangerous, causing serious burns and causing clothing to ignite which can result in death. Though his clothing was burned completely through, the flame did not spread in his case. However, the airbag deployment could have ignited the driver's (my husband's) clothing and unnecessary killed him and burned him to death. The burns he suffered are not minor and would have been much worse without the layers of clothing that helped reduce the intensity. There is no excuse for such a serious safety hazard in a feature that is supposed to protect passengers and driver. Causing serious burns, or worse, setting driver/passenger on fire, is harmful and potentially fatal.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 232012

Soul 4-cyl

  • 3,379 miles
Two occupants in front seats of 2012 Kia Soul. Involved in a passenger side collision at the front door. Other car was traveling at the speed of 40mph or greater at the time of collision. Caused more than $8500 to the Kia Soul. There was no air bag deployment.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

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