2012 Kia Soul Electrical System Problems
Owners filed 47 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul, 9% of its 514 total complaints that year. Reported issues include power steering communication failures, brake light/taillight malfunctions, headlight condensation, and vehicle fires; median mileage at failure was 68,000. No related recalls are listed.
- Electrical System complaints
- 47
- 9% of 514
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 68,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report the motor-driven power steering (MDPS) losing communication with the vehicle while driving at highway speed, cutting off power steering assist.
- Some describe brake lights or taillights that stop working or stay illuminated after replacing the lamp housing, tied to reported ABS module issues.
- Several owners found condensation inside the headlight housing after rain, obstructing illumination, with dealers reportedly finding the lights 'operating normally.'
- Multiple reports describe underhood or vehicle fires occurring both while driving and while parked, in some cases with the vehicle burning significantly.
- One owner reported the instrument cluster blinker indicator and headlight/turn signal on one side failing shortly after purchase, traced to a loose ground.
- Another owner reported the radio freezing, followed by the backup camera and dash lights ceasing to function during short trips, with the system sometimes resetting after the car sat for hours.
When 2012 Kia Soul electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 11, 2012, latest Jun 18, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Electrical System complaints by Soul model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Kia Soul?
- NHTSA lists 47 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul, accounting for 9% of the 514 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Soul electrical system?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2012 Kia Soul electrical system.
- At what mileage do 2012 Kia Soul electrical problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 Kia Soul is 68,000 miles.
- Did the 2012 Kia Soul electrical problems cause fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to this component shows 3 fires and 2 crashes among the reported incidents, with 2 injuries.
- How does 2012 compare to other Kia Soul years for electrical complaints?
- The 2012 Soul's electrical complaints made up 9% of its total complaints, lower than the 21% share seen in both 2010 and 2014, and well below the 38% share reported for 2024.