general problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Soul

I had some work done on the drive train of my car by a local mechanic. When I picked up the car, the brake light and the low tire light were on. I asked the mechanic to see about getting them turned off. He came to me a bit later, said they tried to replace a fuse connected to these sensors, and the fuse blew out a small flame when they tried to start the car. He looked it up and discovered there was a recall on this very fuse from kia (I never received a notice), and he had the car towed to the local dealership. They are refusing to correct the issue because they said he messed it up, and therefore they are not liable. They are wanting to charge me several thousand dollars to fix the problem. This seems completely insane because were it not for their faulty equipment, none of this would have happened. They are also refusing to perform a recall on the abs system, claiming that someone has previously worked on it. Unless they did it before I bought the car in 2017, no one has worked on the abs system. Again, they are trying to charge me $2000+ to fix this issue on top of the other.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA id number: 10247553 (steering, structure, electrical system), and the vehicle intermittently failed to start. While driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle jerked and shut off unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent; however, the failure mostly occurred while the radio or a/c was in use. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact used a diagnostic machine and retrieved a code for a failure with the ignition, and that an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

While driving kia 2012: it will suddenly quit running while driving. Loss of control of steering. Loss of electrical controls, brake lights, head lights & all electrical devices. Dangerous to drive.

Despite being assured for years by kia that my vehicle was not affected by this recall, I received a recall notice in December 2023 for the hecu. Now it is April, and my vehicle still is not repaired because kia still has not supplied the part required to fix this safety issue. Because of the high theft issue of my vehicle, I cannot park it outside and kia is now telling me I cannot park the vehicle inside because of fire hazard. I have had to pay a higher insurance premium just to keep my car insured and have even been denied insurance by farmers and progressive. I am afraid to drive my car and how am I supposed to afford another car? some dealers will not even consider the car as a trade in.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a local dealer to have the vehicle checked due to recall, NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact was contacted by the dealer and was advised that the check engine warning light was illuminated and that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed and that the vehicle needed a bgc fuel induction service. The contact picked up the vehicle and was advised by the dealer to drive the vehicle for 100 miles and then return the vehicle to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that after picking up the vehicle, she was driving at approximately 30 mph, when the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 mph. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that her daughter called the dealer to check on the repair status of the vehicle and was advised that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owned a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle independently accelerated while the contact's foot was on the brake pedal. The contact steered the vehicle to the left in an attempt to stop the acceleration and repeatedly depressed the brake pedal. Due to the failure, the contact hit a curb, a sidewalk post, and finally a retaining wall which stopped the acceleration. The sidewalk post was damaged due to the crash. The contact was unaware if any warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. A woman was knocked over by the vehicle as a result of the failure. The woman sustained a cut to her right hand and suffered pain to the right side of her body. The woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment, her whereabouts remain unknown. The contact was treated at the scene by paramedics but did not need further medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent mechanic and was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,700.

Driving down the highway at a speed of 65mph and my car just began to idle and slowed down to reducing speed quickly. I could not give it enough acceleration to pick up speed. I pulled over to shut my engine car off. Turned car back on and my rpms to shift to 2nd gear were low. I had to shift my gears quickly to be able to drive. Since then, my engine light is blinking and I cannot go faster than 50mph.

The electrical system on this vehicle is severely malfunctioning. Once the engine is started it will not allow me to take it out of gear. All of the indicator lights are on and flash. It is unsafe because the kia dealership service center doesn't know how to fix it. I don't think it's safe to drive because what if I put it in drive & it would not stop or shift to neutral.

The series of events leading to my theory of what is wrong with my 2012 kia Soul: 1. Steering coupler replacement in March of 2021 left my steering wheel sideways instead of straight, air bag light remains on, and traction control light as well. The after-market (I assume) cruise control is automatically on when car is started. Must turn off manually. 2. U-joint connecting to steering column fell onto my feet while driving in December of 2021. I slid it back on, but it slipped off approximately 4 more times in the next month before it was strongly secured. 3. Alignment performed in February 2022. Approximately 2 weeks after the alignment, my car started stuttering, if you will, prior to shifting into third gear. Then, again, prior to each shift into the higher gears. It stalled a few times in response to this action. While accelerating, the car begins to jerk severely, as if the brakes are being pumped. It doesn't do this immediately, but only begins once it's warmed up. Several sensors have been replaced. Fuel filter replaced. It's a standard, but the transmission was replaced after I purchased it in 2018. After hooking up to the code scanner at the parts store, the steering tilt sensor is the code shown. My theory is this: when the steering coupler was replaced leaving my steering wheel in the turned position, and then aligning it with it in the wrong position, that threw the tilt code. Maybe it's jerking because it thinks I'm turning when I'm not, and it could possibly be engaging the abs to slow me down while it thinks I'm turning. Would I be wrong in assuming that if I get the steering wheel straightened, get another alignment, and clear the steering tilt sensor, my car will act normal again? I am uncertain what system or part failed, but it is definitely available to be inspected. I could have died when the u-joint fell off if I hadn't been almost to a stop sign every time. The problem continues, but has not been addressed or confirmed by a dealer.

Vehicle first started to have issue with the blower motor relay, unknowingly at the time, that was the issue I had brought it to numerous mechanics, told it’s my blower motor itself, then took it to kia and was told it’s not and they put my old one back in and didn’t solve any issue, on my way home my check engine light came on, driving on the hwy at 70mph. I get off on my exit slow down to the speed of 40mph stop at the red light and then my vehicle starts to stall, refused to go faster then 40mph and was fighting it, at 7rpms. Local shop said it was some sort of sensor, had another mechanic look at it and found that kia hadn’t put my cars computer back on my vehicle, so it was just flapping around, once he reconnected it the issue disappeared. Following this I have had a ticking engine for 2/3 years. Local mechanic said it was my engine lifters, so we replaced all 18. The noise never stopped. I brought it back and was told I need a replacement engine the long block specifically, I couldn’t afford to replace it, years later it’s still making this noise at start up, in idel and when driving and becomes louder when I accelerate. I have had a hard time getting my vehicle to accelerate to hwy speeds at an efficient and safe level, having to use hazard lights. My car has had a gas fuel leak, repaired. I had to get a rental car. The blower motor relay has to be replaced every 3/4 months since it failed the first time years ago in order for my ac/heat to work, I’m a single mother, who is disabled with a special needs child, and a very low fixed income, this is a major safety concern on top of the hecu recall, I have asked for a buy back or a refund or replacement vehicle and have been denied, or at least reimbursement for the costs associated. Kia is negligent and obviously doesn’t seem to care whatsoever about their customers or their safety. If I could afford it I would sue them. Fire hazard, engine fire, stalling, ect.

Tried starting the car one morning and the entire dashboard is black. No readings for any of the gauges and shifter stuck in park. Car was drivable after releasing the gear with the shift lock release, but nothing on the instrument cluster working. Couldn't see odometer, fuel gauge, heat gauge because it wasn't moving or lit up.

I just bought my car in April and with registration papers I received recall papers stating 2 recalls for my vehicle I didn't think it was legal to sell vehicle without having it fixed. ?? next I. Take my vehicle to kia dealer on Monday August 3 to fix recalls they. Said. No codes show. . I drive home 45 Mini away. Car dies. Inext morning. It. Dies. Again wont start. . I looks under the hood and there. Is a. Wire buring through my fus box which was not there before and now I have no. Power to my vehicle and something isn't right I know that wire wasn't there before.

Steering wheel makes a loud popping noise it is getting worse by the day. The lights flicker when turned on inside and outside the vehicle.

No engine warning lights on. At random, engine will lose power, but does not quit. No matter how much you try to accelerate, car only reaches approximately 30 mph. Observed to happen after turning ignition key and nothing happens. However, occurrence is random, and no engine warning code is given. Mechanics find nothing wrong, due to no warning code.

Car is jerking/bucking and misfiring while idle and when driving it jerks. Car check engine light constantly turns on and off on its own.

Where do I start, my 2012 kia Soul has about 86,000 miles and has experience issues over the past few years. It started a few years ago where I changed my left brake light and discovered it was an ongoing issue where bulb is burnt and have to replace about twice yearly. Second, sometimes when I go to crank my car it would start faintly then stall out and I will have to retry again until it cranks correctly. This having also been occurring for a few years. Third, within this past year I've experienced a/c control problems. When I go to turn it on it wont do anything,no defrost/blowing/hot/cold nothing. Then I would proceed to keep trying to turn off and on and out of no where it just starts on its own. Sometimes it's scary especially when I need to defrost my windows and it decides not to work. Took it to sun auto repair shop and they couldn't figure it out and said and I quote "it has a high failure rate", whatever that means. Fourth, the passenger side window will not respond to the driver side control button. Dont know if it's an electrical issue. This has also started within this past year. Finally, about a few months ago my steering while started making this annoying clicking sound when I turn the steering wheel left to right . That is while driving and parked or stopped. It just keeps clicking every movement, bumps and turns. Suddenly I recieved a letter about this given warranty recalling my vehicle to get fixed. Now I'm questioning whether or not if my other problems are common in other vehicles and is on the roll to recall.

Car was great until it reached the 100000 mile mark. Then it loses all power and dies while going 65 to 70 mph on freeway! it is going to get me killed! when happens, the rpm gauge quickly plummets to zero and remains there at zero after I get it restarted. After it sits for about 15 minutes it starts fine with the rpm gauge giving an actual reading. This is happening about 3 times in a 25 mile span!.

Was going down ten, kia can't determine if my power steering want bout while going down the highway going 55, and then hitting a deer. The body work has been fixed but my vehicle has no power steering. Power steering is not responding - mdps will not communicate with vehicle. Failure in electronic mdps at top of steering column. They checked all connectors, and no physical damage to column itself. Found c1503 -esc/ecs (esp) error and c1687 - time out vsm2 (mdps) failure. Diagnosis says I need a power steering column and motor assembly. Geico refuses to cover this saying it's a common electrical power steering issue with kia's. If these are messing up electronically while driving this year for 2012 should be recalled. It feels as if insurance has found a loophole to not cover kia Souls with power steering. I also saw a corrosion issue recall and my car was from ohio which I lived there years with it before moving to virginia. No one at the newport news virginia kia even mentioned the recall for my VIN #, I found it while registering my kia online.

12/28/17 purchased car from kia dealership. 1/27/18 I was driving approx 50 mph down a county road and the drivers side windshield panelling flew off. The passenger side is loose as well. I am told no way to secure passenger side it just has to be replaced as well. Also noticed a loud screeching coming from driver side every time I apply the brake. 2/3/18 neighbor was driving behind me down a city street and called to tell me rear driver side tire appeared wobbly. 2/6/18 dealership said bad wheel bearing and replaced but still had not ordered panelling. Also said noise was fine it was just caused by metallic structure of brakes and have to deal with it. 2/7/18 the stereo will turn on but everything is back to factory presets and no sound comes out of speakers.

2012 kia Soul with less than 15,000 miles on it suddenly burst into flames and the car is a total loss .

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that there had been several failures that progressed since the initial ownership of the vehicle. The radio shorted and was replaced by the dealer. The odometer had an improper reading. The steering column was extremely tight, making abnormal noises and the steering wheel was difficult to turn left or right. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer more than 3 times and the radio failed again, the drivers side seat belt failed to properly restrain and the contact was uncertain if the dealer (southside kia, 9401 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, FL 32225, (904) 400-6650) would be able to provide a solution. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was still at the dealers receiving servicing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, indicated that they would provide a follow up response and the contact received no solution yet from the manufacturer to determine if the vehicle would be repaired by the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. Dyd.

My car's heater assembly control has failed and in doing so my car's heater defaulted to cold and face making it impossible to defrost the windshield. Kia wants an astronomical fee to diagnose the problem and even more for the part and installation.

I purchased the vehicle in December and every so often the gauges and the lights in the dash will not work. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. I had contacted the dealer from whom I purchase the vehicle, I then took it to their repair shop. The gentleman (mechanic) was unable to determine the cause. I then called the dealership and requested another vehicle, of course they refused. In a matter of days, the dash materials began to work again. Unfortunately, 20 days later, the same thing happened again. None of the lights and gauges in the dash work, and the vehicle will not go into drive. I am simply unhappy with the matter, because they are charging me nearly $20,000. For the vehicle.

Nov. 2013 I was driving the car and the odometer stopped working, I went to kia and they said they had to order a part for it but it was okay to drive. I continued to drive it from ky to indianapolis in when the speedometer stopped working then the entire instrument panel stopped working, I called kia dealership in elizabethtown ky and they said they had ordered the entire cluster but car was okay to drive, I went out the next day and the car started but you could not engage the gear shift. Had to have the car towed to dealership. They had car 3 weeks and said it is fixed. January 13th 2014 started all over with odometer going out, took it back to kia and they had to order yet another cluster (2nd in 2 months) okay to drive car, I refused and required them to provide loaner (which is not allowed to be taken out of state). This is not a safety issue but goes to electrical, they had to replace the entire glove compartment because the light kept going on and off when the door was closed. They said a sensor had gone out and they had to replace the entire thing not just a bulb.

Started car Sunday at 1:30 pm. Notices gas guage needle was below empty. Backed out of parking space, put the car into drive - no instrumentation at all. Tach at o, temp gage at o, fuel gage below empty. Sut off ignition and restarted engine - still no instrumentation drove slowly to nearest gas station to fill tank (I did not remember but I never lat the tank get below 1/4 full) too 2. 6 gallons to fill. Speedometer ao odometers not working. Only dashboard light working is temp (outside) and the econ light. Made an appointment with university kia - huntsville, al - left car after describing problem. The call Monday pm said they were unable to determine the problem and since it was mlk day there was no tech suppert avialable - need to keep car overnight. No loaner could be authorized. U. Kia called Tuesday pm at 1:30 said they rebooted the computer and the gagues appear working but they probably would fail. Kia tech services were to order and instrument cluster from korea as there were none in the us. Would take several weeks to obtain and reprogram. I requested a loaner from the service manager but he could not authorize one. I requested he elevate the request ot the dealership owner or to kia management. He (john u. Kia service person) said he would forward my request and call me tomorrow (Wednesday) this is just not an acceptable level of service. I cannot be without a vehicle for several weeks - especially since this is a major failure in a new auto that they are not prepared to repair quickly.

Received a letter from kia stating to have my steering checked out . I am hearing a popping noise when I turn left in the steering. It pulls to the right when driving the kia dealership is saying there's nothing wrong. But there's got to be something going on and they keep trying to tell me that there's nothing wrong. Also there's a suspension noise coming from the rear when I go over a great or anyting even a small little dent in the road it sounds like the whole back end of my car is going to fall apart another issue with the brakes when I apply the brakes my lights dim on the inside of my vehicle then when I go the lights will go bright again.