Excellent, trustworthy, and affordable vehicle! Driving it, it feels much larger and more substantial than it does. A very dependable and well-made model, 2012 was.
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How dependable is a 2012 Kia Soul?
- 2012 is not a good year. Owners have criticized the car’s small interior, cheap materials, and shoddy suspension.
- Ratings for reliability are below average. In 2012, there were four times as many complaints as there were in 2011, despite mechanical advancements for models made in 2016 and later.
- The performance of both 4-cylinder engines is subpar.
- The Soul received a Top Safety Pick Award and received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- The combined fuel efficiency is up to 27 MPG, which is extremely good.
Positive Owner Reviews
The Kia Soul’s most noteworthy feature is how spacious it truly is despite how compact it appears to be!
I cherish my Kia Soul. It is spacious while remaining little. Although it’s a small, quick automobile, it’s nonetheless useful and affordable.
The gas mileage is good. I enjoy how simple driving is. I appreciate the petrol tank’s compact size. The only thing I have against it is that it does not get better gas mileage than it did when I initially bought it.
In contrast to how it appears from the outside, the Kia Soul has a lot more inside space. The turn radius and driving dynamics are fantastic. Even after being rear-ended and having to replace the back panel and bumper, the 2012 Kia Soul is a terrific car overall, and I haven’t had any major problems with it.
The gas mileage is great. When the seats are lowered, I adore the space. The handling and parking are good.
bought secondhand. Our Kia Soul has not been the subject of any issues. It is excellent for travel because it uses very little petrol. long-distance riding is comfortable in these. has a fantastic radio system that was fitted in the factory. I’d advise it to anyone.
Its square design is appealing to me. It sits up higher, which I appreciate. I adore the audio setup. The technology might use some updating.
I cherish my automobile. After three years, the motor failed. I decided to install a motor in it rather than buy a new automobile because I still owe money on it. has no spare tire included. I learned that the hard way. I doubt I’d purchase another one. The mileage is not too bad.
Its reliability, low cost, excellent gas mileage, tiny size, ease of parking, and ease of loading and unloading make it a superb value.
I can load up my entire business in it and drive to the farmers market every Saturday with no problems because I get good gas mileage and it is a terrific rug carrier.
Negative Owner Reviews
Having two children and two car seats leaves me with very little room in my car. The goods barely fit in the car. My automobile also consumes fuel poorly; the best mileage I can obtain is around 20 mpg. To make moving about easier, I would most definitely want to upgrade to an SUV.
I don’t like the rims, the inside is subpar, or the tires. It costs little to make keys. burns oil and is maneuverable. excellent gas mileage.
Really cozy, although there are many problems. favor a more recent model. Excellent dependability; adore the Bluetooth functions. When something goes wrong with the car, several problems start to occur. Performance is really good if the car is in good shape and has no problems. I was quite satisfied with performance.
Little automobiles called souls are tricky. They will last a very long time if the maintenance is done properly. and look fantastic!
With almost 143,000 miles on it, my Soul has only experienced the starter failing once. It has incredible gas mileage of 3334. It’s also cute. There are always remarks. It’s also roomy for a small car.
When the car was purchased, the gas mileage was incorrectly displayed. Although the gas mileage wasn’t too poor, I think it could have been better. The vehicle ride was anything but smooth. I didn’t feel secure when operating the car. The sound system was the sole positive aspect of this car.
It has little power, but it gets fantastic gas mileage and costs only $20 to fill the tank for the entire week. Overall, it is a terrific car for the price; I just wish it were a little bit bigger and roomier. For sure, I’d recommend it to college students, or even to new mothers.
The Kia Soul is dependable and has exceptional gas mileage. There is hardly much upkeep required. It is simple to swap out parts.
Recalled a couple times. One for a software problem in the ECU. I corrected it. The car now has 82k kilometers and consumes oil (acetate). Pathetic Before this, I had never owned a car with less than 100,000 miles. I also never owned a car that burnt oil. I purchased it used. 50k miles w/w. The clutch was already fading and looking worn, as well, I could tell. I recently learned about Sheets brake fluid and clutch fluid, which is a great revelation. It has its attractions, good mileage, and occasionally a 45 mph highway. Optimal conditions include no wind, etc. I would have like larger wheelsat least 16″. I had 18×7.5-inch Nissan Maxima wheels mounted, but I couldn’t afford new tires. I’ve never needed an alignment for a car. There was one. I need another now because the tiered end broke. And I had to swap it out. Parts are expensive. Passenger front power window had to be torn apart and rebuilt after unexpectedly not functioning completely. Mind you, all of this is under $100,000. I currently use crazy oil. every two days, 1 qt. It’s beneficial to baby-carry. I enjoy driving. This is disappointing. Before this, I had a 2012 escape. three years. Never had to fix anything other than oil and brekes. And I mishandled it. I typically get whatever vehicle I can afford that will be dependable. and eventually come to be impressed. I like to add that it’s not a fashionable magnet. However, it has soul. Purchase a Kia Soul. It is soulless. Ironic. Most I’ve ever spent on a vehicle. I’ve actually driven cars that I purchased for $100. I won’t say how much I spent on this. I feel ashamed.
What is the lifespan of a 2012 Kia Soul?
A well-kept Kia Soul typically has 200,000 kilometers or more on it. The most recent models should last longer. In terms of longevity, the Kia Soul now competes with Honda and Toyota models.
What issues are there with Kia Souls?
The Kia Soul dominated the market for more than ten years with its boxy appearance, which people either love or detest, good safety ratings, and a long list of standard amenities. Today, the Soul is among Kia’s best-selling vehicles and is still a serious competitor in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
Despite being a reliable small SUV, there have been several problems, complaints, and recalls across a number of model years. There are some Kia Soul years to stay away from when purchasing used.
The worst Kia Soul years to steer clear of due to reliability difficulties are listed below, along with the safest years for used purchasing.
Which Kia Soul Years to Avoid?
If at all possible, stay away from buying a secondhand Kia Soul from one of the following model years:
- Kia Soul 2012
- Kia Soul (2013)
- Kia Soul (2014)
- Kia Soul 2015
- Kia Soul 2016
Kia Soul
The 2012 Kia Soul should be avoided at all costs, according to the people from Car Reports, who cite 470 NHTSA complaints. Body integrity issues and flawed safety features were its principal shortcomings.
Clunking noises when turning are this Soul year’s most prevalent problem. Owners have mentioned hearing a clunking or popping sound when rotating the steering wheel. Additionally, some owners have heard loud rattles when driving on roads or hitting small bumps. Owners are perplexed that there hasn’t been a recall because this body integrity issue is so prevalent.
The 2012 Soul’s unlatched hood while driving is another potential issue. Although this is a rare problem, it poses a serious safety risk, particularly on roads or freeways.
The CoPilot app isn’t just for purchasing a car; it can also be used to keep track of recalls and receive recommendations on which regular maintenance activities are most crucial.
Kia Soul
Several owners of the 2013 Soul have suffered engine failure, which has been known to occur at roughly 85,000 miles or more. Some users reported hearing a banging sound emanating from the engine, while others just experienced an engine failure. The expected fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which will set you back a whooping $5,000.
A few owners reported that their Soul’s engine had started to make a ticking noise, which is less serious. The ticking noise, which may be anywhere from mildly bothersome to frighteningly loud, compels owners to visit their nearby Kia dealership. With an average repair cost of $4,100, we cannot recommend the Soul model year.
Kia Soul
The 2014 Kia Soul is the greatest loser in terms of complaints. The 2014 Soul is unquestionably one of the worst Kia Soul years to stay away from, receiving more than 900 complaints. Similar to the 2013 Kia Soul, the 2014 model similarly receives a pitiful 1 out of 5 stars from Consumer Reports.
One of the 2014 Soul’s most serious problems, according to a number of Consumer Reports owners, is engine failure. This issue appears to be connected to the oil pump in the Soul, which results in higher-than-normal oil consumption by the engine. One owner said that the car began requiring a quart of oil every 300 miles.
The 2014 Soul has a terrible comeback of the engine’s annoying ticking/knocking noise. The initial diagnosis by technicians is that this occurs at about 105k miles and is caused by low oil. However, the owners who are meticulous and keep up with their oil changes are the ones who complain the most.
Kia Soul
The 2015 Kia Soul is another vehicle you ought to stay away from, with more than 700 NHTSA complaints and four recalls to its name. The 2015 model of the Soul has numerous engine problems, just like the other problematic Souls on our list.
Engine failure is the issue that needs to be addressed first. Around 80k miles is the typical mileage at which this problem appears. Many customers have noted that the engine initially made knocking or ticking noises or began to burn more oil. The Soul’s engine finally just stopped working. You will be responsible for paying the estimated $4,620 cost of the engine rebuild or replacement if this occurs.
Excessive oil use is another area of concern. It seems that the engine guzzles oil like it’s nobody’s business when it’s not breaking down.
Check out our list of the top 10 most dependable used sedans available if you’re ready to start looking for a used automobile and reliability is important to you.
Kia Soul
The number one issue with the 2016 Soul, as measured by the severity scale, is a blown engine. According to several accounts, the 2016 Soul’s engine is prone to blowing up, particularly after 90k miles. This is not only dangerous, but an engine replacement will cost you almost $7,000 as well.
Additionally, Kia Soul owners complained that their car simply won’t start. Although there are indications that there may be a battery issue, most concerns are unrelated to this.
Common Kia Soul Problems
Although the Kia Soul is extremely reliable in every way, there are a few persistent issues that impact cars from a few years ago. Here are a few examples:
- spike in cruise control There are rumors that some Soul models have a surgey cruise control technology. Owners reported that when the SUV was in cruise control mode, it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down to a crawl. As of the time of writing, Kia has not yet addressed this potentially deadly problem.
- a ticking clock
- Although it’s not the most typical of Soul models, 2013 Soul owners find it extremely annoying. Hearing loud knocking or ticking noises emanating from the engine is not enjoyable. The Kia Soul has yet another problem with its engine.
- spinning while clicking
- The 2012 Soul’s clunking sounds when turning were a problem for owners. This is unquestionably a body integrity issue that Kia overlooked.
This question’s solution is more complex than you might think. Let’s examine the distinctions between gasoline and diesel engines as well as the precise number of spark plugs that a diesel engine truly has.
Kia Soul
One of the most dependable Kia Soul generations was the second one ever produced. A adaptable, reasonably priced, and all-around useful compact SUV is the 2011 Soul. Car Complaints awarded the 2011 Soul a “Pretty Good” Seal of Approval for dependability, stating that it is “pleasant to drive, roomy, and trustworthy.”
Kia Soul
The 2018 Soul features a huge luggage area, a roomy interior, a nimble turbocharged engine, and top-notch reliability ratings. In fact, the 2018 Soul received a fantastic Quality & Reliability score from J.D. Power of 84 out of 100.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul made a victorious comeback the following year with its 2019 year model. The 2019 Kia Soul received praise for its smooth ride, great utility, and respectable fuel efficiency. You may put your reliability concerns to rest because the 2019 Kia Soul received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5.
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