CarBrief

NHTSA has 904 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Kia Soul, and the engine group has the most[1][2]. Five recalls cover this model year, and each one lists a free remedy[3][4][5][6][7].

904owner complaints[1]
5recalls[8]
26MPG combined (EPA)[9]
5★NHTSA overall rating[10]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 904 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 34 mention a crash, 69 a fire, 30 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Component group Complaints Fires Crashes Median miles at failure
Engine[2] 591 57 5 103,329
Exterior lighting[11] 130 1 0 67,005
Electrical system[12] 98 16 4 69,500
Unknown or other[13] 85 10 2 80,000
Power train[14] 58 4 1 76,400
Steering[15] 55 0 12 36,000
Fuel/propulsion system[16] 54 9 0 83,400
Brakes[17] 35 2 5 41,000

Engine. This is the largest group by far[2]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, fires starting under the hood, and hesitation or loss of power[2]. The group has 57 fires and 6 injuries[2].

Lighting and electrical. In the sample of exterior lighting complaints we read, owners describe headlights that go out or work on and off, and a few describe melted headlight connectors[11]. The electrical sample also includes headlights that shut off, in some cases when the turn signal is used, and several reports of fire or smoke[12]. The electrical group has 16 fires[12].

Power train. In the sample we read, owners describe hesitation or loss of power, and a few say a dealer pointed to the catalytic converter[14].

Steering and brakes. Steering has 55 complaints but 12 crashes and 6 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 36,000[15]. Brakes have 35 complaints, 5 crashes and 4 injuries[17]. The counts are small, so treat them as a reason to ask questions, not as a verdict.

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[8]. Newest first:

Before buying, ask for proof that each recall was done. Kia customer service handles recall questions at 1-800-333-4542[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions of the 2014 Soul, all with front-wheel drive and regular gas. All four are rated 26 mpg combined and 30 mpg highway[9][18][19][20]. City is 24 mpg for the 1.6L automatic, the 1.6L manual and the Soul ECO dynamics 2.0L, and 23 mpg for the standard 2.0L automatic[9][18][19][20]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $2,600 for each, using EPA's current fuel price assumptions rather than prices when the car was new[9].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2014 Soul 5 stars overall, 5 stars in frontal crash tests and 5 stars in side tests[10]. Rollover is rated 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 14.7%[10]. Keep in mind that the airbag recall above is about airbags that may not deploy in some cases[3].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 1.6L 4-cylinder is rated 130 hp[21]. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 164 hp[22].

Size figures are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[23].

EX/SX LX
Length[23][24] 163 in 163 in
Width[23][24] 71 in 71 in
Height[23][24] 63 in 63 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 101 in 101 in
Curb weight[23][24] 2,970 lb 2,798 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2010: 135 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 194 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 514 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 667 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 904 complaints, 5 recalls90420142015: 908 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 823 complaints, 5 recalls20162017: 290 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 222 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 140 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 387 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 238 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 94 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 54 complaints, 4 recalls2024: 30 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Soul model year. The 2014 is highlighted[8].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20101353
20111943
20125143
20136673
20149045
20159087
20168235
20172903
20182223
20191403
20203871
20212382
2022941
2023544
2024300
2025120

The 2014 model year has 904 complaints and 5 recalls[8]. Only 2015 has more of both, with 908 complaints and 7 recalls[8]. 2016 has 823 complaints and 5 recalls[8]. Earlier years are lower, from 135 complaints for 2010 to 667 for 2013[8]. Every year from 2017 on has fewer than 400 complaints[8]. The 2024 and 2025 model years show 30 and 12 complaints and no recalls[8], The 2024 and 2025 model years show 30 and 12 complaints and no recalls[8]. These counts are not adjusted for sales. and the counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2014 Soul?

The record here is mixed. The engine group has 591 of the 904 complaints, including 57 fires[1][2]. Five recalls apply and each lists a free remedy, so a car with complete recall work is in a better position than one without[3][4][5][6][7]. Crash ratings are strong at 5 stars overall[10], and fuel economy is 26 mpg combined[9]. Get the VIN checked for open recalls, ask for service records on the engine and headlights, and treat the unverified complaints as questions to ask, not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Soul?
The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints at 591 of 904[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe stalling, fires and power loss. Headlight problems show up in the lighting group's sample[11].
Does the 2014 Kia Soul have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5[8]. They cover airbag software, engine fire, engine pistons and catalytic converter, steering pinion and accelerator pedal[3][4][5][6][7]. Each lists a free remedy.
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Kia Soul?
EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined and 30 mpg highway[9]. City is 23 or 24 mpg depending on the version[9][18][19][20].
How safe is the 2014 Kia Soul?
NHTSA gives 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[10].
Is 2014 a bad year for the Kia Soul?
2014 has 904 complaints and 5 recalls[8]. Only 2015 has more of both, with 908 complaints and 7 recalls[8]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 904 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Kia Soul (34 mention a crash, 69 a fire, 30 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 591 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 57 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,329). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V096, filed February 18, 2022: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module › Software. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 20V750, filed December 2, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V120, filed February 22, 2019: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V608, filed September 29, 2017: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 15V123, filed March 2, 2015: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Soul model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 130 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,005). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 98 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 16 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 85 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 10 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 58 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 55 complaints name the steering component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 54 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 9 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 35 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Soul ECO dynamics, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Kia Soul with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 130 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Kia Soul with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 164 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL EX/SX: length 163 in, width 71 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,970 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL LX: length 163 in, width 71 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,798 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.