2014 KIA Soul Engine Problems
Owners have filed 553 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2014 KIA Soul, 61% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 103,052 miles. The words owners use most often: “catalytic converter” (19% of reports).
- 553engine complaints
- 103,052median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $6,450typical repair cost reported by owners
- 53%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Catalytic converter: mentioned in 105 of 553 complaints (19%)
- Oil change: mentioned in 62 of 553 complaints (11%)
- Engine cooling: mentioned in 38 of 553 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2014 KIA Soul at $6,450, and half of them between $2,500 and $7,800.
Based on 24 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 361 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 553 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 52 a fire, 6 an injury.
KIA Soul engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Soul | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Soul | 5 | 17% | 7,000 |
| 2023 Soul | 14 | 26% | 8,872 |
| 2022 Soul | 53 | 57% | 27,000 |
| 2021 Soul | 137 | 58% | 41,000 |
| 2020 Soul | 241 | 63% | 24,037 |
| 2019 Soul | 87 | 64% | 50,045 |
| 2018 Soul | 140 | 64% | 70,812 |
| 2017 Soul | 191 | 70% | 82,000 |
| 2016 Soul | 561 | 69% | 86,000 |
| 2015 Soul | 630 | 70% | 93,000 |
| 2014 Soul | 553 | 61% | 103,052 |
| 2013 Soul | 285 | 43% | 117,000 |
| 2012 Soul | 209 | 41% | 119,150 |
| 2011 Soul | 24 | 12% | 107,000 |
| 2010 Soul | 9 | 7% | 65,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Engine; engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor
Problem: 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.
Risk: Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I purchased my Kia Soul because I believed I was purchasing a dependable vehicle that I could rely on for my everyday transportation. Unfortunately, my experience with the vehicle has been very different. Over time, I have experienced ongoing and serious problems with the engine, particularly…
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and came to a complete stop. After cooling down for approximately 10 minutes, the vehicle was restarted; however, smoke emanated from the engine bay and entered the cabin, and the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact researched and discovered that there were several unknown recalls associated with the VIN. The dealer was contacted by phone and made…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2014 KIA Souls have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 553 owner complaints about engine for the 2014 KIA Soul (61% of the 902 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2014 KIA Soul engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 103,052 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2014 KIA Soul?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,450 (half paid between $2,500 and $7,800), from 24 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2014 KIA Soul?
The most frequent phrase is “catalytic converter”, in 105 of 553 complaints, followed by “oil change” (62).
Other 2014 KIA Soul problems
See all 2014 KIA Soul problems or engine problems across all Soul years.