What's Wrong with the 2nd Generation (2014–2019) Soul?

Soul owners have made 141 complaints about the 2014–2019 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 36th out of 42 Kia generations in overall reliability, with real engine and electrical concerns.

Compare With Other Soul Generations

Common 2014-2019 Kia Soul Problems

Some of the worst issues 2nd generation Soul owners have to deal with.

  2. Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in Kia vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs. However, this isn't a Kia-only problem.

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

2nd Generation (2014–2019) Soul Key Numbers

  1. 6 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 141 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 36th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 42 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 2nd Generation Soul Owners

  • Thornhill, et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai and Kia engine lawsuit alleges several models are equipped with defective gasoline direct injection (GDI) and multipoint fuel injection (MPI) engines which may catch fire.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2012-2015 Forte
    • 2012-2015 Forte Koup
    • 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid
    • 2012-2013 Sorento
    • 2014-2015 Soul
    • 2012 Sportage
    Location
    California

Recent 2nd Generation (2014–2019) Soul News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Another owner has sued Hyundai and Kia for knowingly equipping vehicles with defective Theta II engines.

    Proving once again that when it comes to engines that catch on fire, people generally aren't fans. The automakers have settled similar lawsuits and issued recalls for these clunkers, but the plaintiff suggests not all affected vehicles were included.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Not Enough Vehicles Were Covered in the Theta II Recalls"

  2. More than 1,800 Kia vehicles have burst into flames, now the government wants to know why.

    It’s about time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was petitioned to look into these non-collision fires last June. They are responsible for 77 injuries and 1 death. The investigation will focus on the Theta II engine, but the NHTSA plans on looking into tail lights and other potential combustion sources as well .…

    keep reading article "NHTSA Opens Investigation into Non-Collision Kia Fires"

  3. Over 379,000 Souls are at risk of burning in eternal damnation … due to damaged catalytic converters and connecting rod failures.

    Wait, you knew I was talking about the Kia Soul, right? The automaker has admitted that hot exhaust gas is overheating the catalytic converters. Additionally, piston damage and busted connecting rods can puncture the engine block and let oil leak onto the hot exhaust. In other words, these things are a tinder box and the recall can’t come fast enough.

    keep reading article "379,000 Souls At Risk of a Fiery Damnation. Kia Souls, That is."

  5. What are the odds that your car will set itself on fire without ever being involved in a collision?

    Much higher than you’d think, especially if you’re one of these 3 million Hyundai and Kia owners. The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has put together a list of vehicles that they say should be taken off the road until a pending government investigation ends with a comprehensive recall.…

    keep reading article "Are 3 Million Hyundai and Kia Cars Too Dangerous to Drive?"

  6. One Kia owner has had enough of gnawed wires leading to dashboard warning lights and multiple calls to the insurance company.

    Tsvetelin Tsonev filed a class-action lawsuit because his 2015 Soul is being used like a chew toy. The plaintiff says he leased a 2015 Kia Soul in April 2015 that has allegedly been damaged three times because the automaker keeps replacing soy-based wiring with more soy wiring, inviting more critters to snacktime.

    OK, so it turns out rodents don’t really snack on the coating, but they do love chewing on it and making nests out of it.

    And if you’re wondering just how much damage a rodent could do, brace yourself.…

    keep reading article "Soy Wires are Still Being Chewed Up. Maybe Kia Should Stop Advertising with Rodents."

  7. Kia is recalling the 2014-2016 Kia Soul and Soul EV because previous recalls didn’t work.

    [The car’s] pinion plugs can allow the pinion gears to separate from the steering gear assemblies. That's king-size trouble for a driver because all steering control will be lost while traveling at any speed.

    The [first recall](http://www.kiacomplaints.com /news/2014/kia-recalls-51k-souls/) was made back in 2014 with a follow-up recall the next year. A 3rd recall? It’s time Kia does some Soul searching … you had to know that was coming.

    keep reading article "Kia Recalls Soul Steering Pinion Problems for the 3rd Time"

  8. Another day, another manufacturer getting sued for using soy-based wire coating.

    Plaintiff Campbell claims her 2014 Kia Optima was damaged in December 2016 when rodents chewed the wire harness and wiring. Campbell asked Kia to cover the repairs under warranty but after allegedly making her wait almost a month with the Kia Optima sitting at the dealership, Kia denied her claim for coverage.

    This is not a Kia-only problem. Other automakers have made the switch to a soy-based wire coatings and are facing similar lawsuits including Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Subaru.

    The lawsuit covers owners or lessees in California, Texas, and NJ with most of the 2012-2017 Kia lineup.

    keep reading article "Kia Sued for Using A Soy-Based Wire Coating"

  9. Soul and Soul EV vehicles can suffer a complete loss of steering after the steering pinion gear separates.

    Over 256,000 Kia Soul cars are recalled to fix problems that can cause a complete loss of steering. The recalled cars include the 2014-2016 Kia Soul and Soul EV that have weak adhesive used to secure the steering pinion gear to the steering gear assembly.

    This isn’t the first time Kia has issued a recall for this problem. That’s soul annoying.

    keep reading article "Steering Pinion Gear Problems Lead to Another Soul Recall"

  10. Kia Recalls 51,000 Souls?

    OK, that headline is a bad play on words but the problem prompting the recall is a worse day waiting to happen. The automaker is recalling over 51,000 model year 2014 Kia Soul cars because the ability to steer the cars could go from good to none. Kia said a plug that secures the pinion gear to the steering gear can loosen and cause a complete loss of steering.

    The problem was discovered during an internal investigation opened after three warranty claims. Thankfully there were no crashes reported.

    keep reading article "Kia Recalls 51,000 Souls"