Skip to content
Trimslate
SavedHelp

2012 Kia

Soul

Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L

Kia Soul: best and worst years

Overview

Body
Small Station WagonsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic 6-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

HP
138
Power to weight
0.053 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.44
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
30 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
25 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
27 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,300EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Real-world MPG
26.7 mpg, reported by 3 driversabout 0.3 mpg below the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
162 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
70 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
63 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
100 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
2,623 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
102 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Cargo Vol
24 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Overall crash rating
★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
3
Owner complaints
510
Reported injuries
25
Theft rate
0.9 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Feature availability

Which features come standard, cost extra, or are locked to a pricier trim arrives with the next data phase. Standard equipment shows here today.

Standard

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE31%
  • STEERING25%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER6%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6%
  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5%
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 667 total.

Kia Soul: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  • DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE

    Loss of Motive Power

  • EA21003opened Dec 22, 2021ENGINE

    Engine Fires

  • PE19004opened Mar 29, 2019UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Non-crash Vehicle Fires

  • DP18003opened Aug 21, 2018UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Non-crash Vehicle Fires

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.