Model year guide

2012 Kia Soul

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Kia Soul is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 415 on record.

2012 Kia Soul at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints510
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$9,596

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Kia Soul recalls 3

Engine NHTSA Campaign #19V120000 · 22/02/2019

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine m…

Structure:body:roof And Pillars NHTSA Campaign #14V822000 · 29/12/2014

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #23V652000 · 25/09/2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Kia Soul common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 510 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2012 Kia Soul safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Kia Soul MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,350

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Kia Soul worth?

Low
$6,900
Typical price
$9,596
High
$12,000

From 409 comparable 2012 Kia Soul listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,750
Fuel only$11,750
Per mile$0.16

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Kia Soul trims & engines on record

Trims
+ · Base · GL
Engines
2.0L · 1.6L

2012 Kia Soul vehicles on record

Other Kia Soul model years

2012 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Soul?

Based on 510 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, steering, service brakes.

What is the 2012 Kia Soul safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Kia Soul an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Kia Soul at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2012 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2012 Kia Soul listings run roughly $6,900–$12,000, typically around $9,596 (from 409 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.