Model year guide

2014 Kia Soul

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2014 Kia Soul is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1,088 on record.

2014 Kia Soul — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2014 Kia Soul at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints890
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$13,351

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

2014 Kia Soul recalls 5

Engine NHTSA Campaign #20V750000 · 02/12/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software,…

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…

Steering NHTSA Campaign #17V608000 · 29/09/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recal…

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal NHTSA Campaign #15V123000 · 02/03/2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #22V096000 · 18/02/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.

Fix: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.

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.

2014 Kia Soul common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 890 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.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2014 Kia Soul safety ratings

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

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2014 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2014 Kia Soul MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,350

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

What's a 2014 Kia Soul worth?

Low
$11,600
Typical price
$13,351
High
$14,900

From 1,078 comparable 2014 Kia Soul listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2014 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,250
Total$19,000
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,351) with the same model 4 model-years older ($7,556), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2014 Kia Soul trims & engines on record

Trims
+ · Base · ! · GL(BASE) · GLS(PLUS) · TOP(EXCLAIM)
Engines
2.0L · 1.6L

2014 Kia Soul vehicles on record

Other Kia Soul model years

2014 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2014 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 2014 Kia Soul?

Based on 890 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, service brakes, vehicle speed control.

What is the 2014 Kia Soul safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2014 Kia Soul an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2014 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2014 Kia Soul at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2014 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2014 Kia Soul listings run roughly $11,600–$14,900, typically around $13,351 (from 1,078 vehicles).

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