Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Kia Soul owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter's boyfriend was driving approximately 70 MPH with her daughter in the passenger's seat, when they noticed smoke in the rearview mirror. The driver checked around to see if the smoke was coming from another vehicle and determined that the smoke was coming the vehicle he was driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle and noticed fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished with the assistance of the Fire Department. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to the local dealer and repaired under an unknown recall. After retrieving the vehicle, the contact stated occasionally the low oil level warning light would illuminate. …
A loud bang was heard while driving approx. 35 MPH on a clear day. The vehicle lost all power, smoke started coming from the hood area and the cabin began to fill with smoke. Driver pulled over, opened the hood and discovered the entire engine compartment in was engulfed in flames. Passersby tried to extinguish the flame with fire extinguishers, but it kept reigniting. The fire department arrived and put out the flames. This could have been life threatening if the driver did not get out of the vehicle. Amica Insurance's claims processors and an independent forensic investigator engaged by Amica Insurance have concluded the engine fire was the result of catastrophic engine failure. The forensic investigator noticed an outward bump in the oil pan and indicated this was likely the result of a separation of crankshaft and or piston rod elements. …
check engine light came on the evening of 3/08/2023. Auto zone said it was a knock sensor code and was listed as a recall. Next morning while driving on highway to ft Wayne Kia dealership my car engine lost rpm while driving at 65 mph on i-69 chapel exit in ft Wayne indiana. The car engine compartment almost immediately ignited into flames with an explosion. Driver barely got out before fire was in the dash. The front interior dash and front seat areas were caught on fire. Shrapnel blown from car started a grass fire as well. The fire department arrived to get both fires under control. My car was still under warranty at 108 months and 89,000 miles. Never had any problem with my Soul until that next day after light came on. I was not notified of the recalls except only recently received an airbag recall on 3/30/2023. I have contacted Kia to file a claim with them.
I am unaware of what is able to be inspected of the vehicle at this time due to the amount of damage. My own and other drivers' safety was at risk when my car began smoking and eventually caught fire. Nothing has been reproduced, inspected, or confirmed by any manufacturer, dealer, or independent contractor. I had my car in park for 2 hours before I began my trip. When I started the car up in the parking lot, the engine ran for about 10 minutes before I left. Within 2 miles of driving, the check engine light came on and the engine started smoking. I pulled the car over as soon as I could do so safely, put the car in park, turned off the ignition, and evacuated the vehicle. Soon after, the car ignited into flames under the hood and I called 911. The fire department extinguished the fire and reported to me that it was an electrical fire.
I drove my car a short distance, parked, and turned off the engine. about 5 minutes after I left my car in the parking lot, we heard a loud explosion and everyone in the office stepped outside. My car became a ball of orange fire and burned for some time. It took 3 fire trucks to contain the fire and several other vehicles were damaged from the explosion. Pictures taken after the incident show the engine was gone (melted maybe). The inside of the car was also burned beyond recognition. My potential death was approximately 5 minutes after I parked my car. The gas tank did not explode; rather, the car burned from the front to the rear. This vehicle should not be on the road and the problem should be made public immediately.
The contact's wife owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle and outside around the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on several occasions, there was condensation under the gas tank. The vehicle was inspected, and there was corrosion underneath the vehicle on the gas tank, and the rear of the gas tank was separating. The replacement gas tank was purchased but the refurbished gas tank had the same corrosion on the gas tank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The front of the car started to smoke (black smoke coming from under the hood) while driving on a highway and caught fire within one minute. The safety of the driver was at risk. He barely had enough time to get out of the car before the whole front of the car burst into flames. The driver had to call 911. The FDNY put the fire out with NYPD present. The fire was so big that there was nothing left to inspect after FDNY put the fire out. This was a total loss and insurance accepted the photos without physically inspecting the car. The car began to sound like it was running on diesel and lost power shortly before the smoke. No other obvious warnings or signs were noted.
In June 2024, my 2014 Kia Soul (VIN: [redacted] ) experienced a sudden engine failure without warning. I was driving on a busy road when the engine began sputtering and quickly stalled. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed. I had it inspected at a Kia dealership, who diagnosed the issue as complete engine failure but have not provided me with a full diagnostic report despite multiple requests. This type of failure is consistent with the known defects in the Theta II engine that have triggered recalls and extended warranties in similar Kia models. Although Kia has denied coverage for my vehicle, I believe this is a related safety issue. The vehicle stalled unexpectedly, creating a hazardous condition on the road. I was traveling with my toddler in the back seat and felt our safety was at risk. …
I own a 2014 Kia Soul 2.0L GDI that consumes approximately one quart of engine oil every 1,500 miles. The engine oil became dangerously low between oil changes without any warning indicator. The vehicle has also experienced reduced engine performance, declining fuel economy, and previously displayed a P0420 catalytic converter efficiency fault code. Replacing the PCV valve did not improve the condition. An overnight piston soak temporarily reduced the oil consumption, but the problem returned, suggesting carbon-related engine deposits. Kia has acknowledged that catalytic converter damage can create a safety hazard in certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul models equipped with the 1.6L GDI engine, and the NHTSA has issued a recall thereof (see "SC176 - 2012-2016 MY KIA SOUL ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) LOGIC UPGRADE SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN"). …
Since I bought this car, I have experienced hesitation, stalling, high RPM idle, fluctuating idle, burning smell, lurching, running though gas very fast (not due to increased driving), engine noises, dash panel half lighting up, hard to accelerate when the headlights are on, or heat, or air con, odd noises..and through this entire time, check engine light comes on and off and on and off...along with my gas gauge saying empty when its full. I have reported ALL of this throughout the entire time since all bought it. Every single time they say "software update" and send me home with nothing ever fixed. EVER. Now again check engine and false fuel reading, hesitations, etc....again! This engine and fuel pump is bad and explains all of my complaints since 10kmiles. My car has under 80k mi on it, its been a lemon from the start. …
Fuel System complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2014 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2014 Kia Soul, 6% of the model year's 902 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Kia Soul fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2014 Kia Soul, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Kia Soul fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 10 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.