Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Kia Soul
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Kia Soul has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 516 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V652000 HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V120000 Overheated Catalytic Converter May Damage Engine NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V822000 Headliner Plate Detachment NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 210 complaints
- Steering 167 complaints
- Unknown or Other 39 complaints
- Electrical System 38 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 34 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 32 complaints
Of the 516 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 23 a fire; across all 516 complaints, owners report 25 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Kia Soul has significant issues with engine and steering systems, reflected in numerous complaints. Recurring recalls for engine fires and exhaust problems also suggest underlying reliability concerns that affect long-term costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 50,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | very common |
| steering column | 60,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| brake module | 70,000–120,000 miles | $300–$900 | occasional |
| catalytic converter | 80,000–130,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor replacement
- Cooling system flush
- Transmission fluid service
- Belt and hose inspections
- Tire rotation and balancing
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfire or knocking
- Steering wheel vibration
- Burning smell from engine
- Brake warning light illuminating
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Kia Soul at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.