2012 Kia Soul: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Engine · AZ

On Oct. 14, 2025, this vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure while driving approx. 70 mph on a highway. While in the passing lane, the vehicle began to lose power, shake, and wouldn’t accelerate. The check engine light came on just moments before a loud explosive noise came from the engine, and a burning smell came through the vents - the engine completely shut down. This failure occurred with other vehicles on the roadway, creating a serious safety risk. I was forced to quickly maneuver the disabled vehicle across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the right shoulder, where I called for roadside assistance. The vehicle was inoperable from that point forward, it would not turn on, and was towed from the scene. There were no warning signs prior to this event. The vehicle had been operating normally before the incident - I had recently checked the oil levels, there were no warning lights, no drivability issues, and no known mechanical problems before the sudden failure. This led me to find the vehicle was subject to an open safety recall addressing engine damage consistent with this failure; the federal safety agency Recall 19V120000. On Oct. 27th, the vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership in Prescott Valley, AZ for recall inspection. The dealership advised the connecting rods failed and blew 3 holes through the engine block, confirming catastrophic internal engine damage. The manufacturer required a recall-related software update be performed before reviewing the engine failure under the recall. The software update was completed in Nov., but the manufacturer later declined to repair or replace the engine. Kia Corp. refuses to address the safety recall entirely, and instead repeatedly mischaracterizes the issue as a warranty matter - they are unwilling to provide a written explanation of how the failure falls outside the scope of the safety recall 19V120000, despite the failure matching the recall’s described defect & consequences.

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Brakes · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts needed to be ordered for the repair. The contact stated that the parts were ordered two months ago; however, the contact was informed that the parts were still not available. The contact stated that the recall summary stated there was a possibility of the vehicle catching on fire, and the contact stated that the repair urgently needed to be performed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Sep 25, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 200,000 miles · MS · fire

The contact's son owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact's daughter-in-law looked through the glass door of the residence and noticed that the vehicle had caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire started from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the entire vehicle had burned significantly. The fire was extinguished by fire department, and the fire department filed a report. The contact stated that he resided in a lot for RVs converted into permanent residences. The contact stated that the contact's residence and a neighbor's residence sustained heat damage from the vehicle fire, and the side of the contact's residence melted. The contact's deck also caught on fire, and the fire was extinguished by fire department. The vehicle was totaled. The vehicle remained at the residence. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed but the police report information was not available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652(Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which the contact related to the failure. The contact stated that the recall notice had not been received. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2023 · Steering · AL

This involves the MDPS steering wheel coupler. Spoke with Kia care center 12/20/23 Amy said notice was sent to owners in 2019 I NEVER RECIEVED ANY NOTICE ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE A VERY LOUND CLUNKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE I HAVE OWED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2016. Just purchased another vehicle in October 2023 because of the Kia problems. Kia is NOT going to fix the problem!! And i have another recall on the car so it is parked at my neighbors house for fear of it catching on fire!! I am paying for full coverage insurance on a vehicle i can't drive or sell!!

Filed Jun 23, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · 190,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH the braking system suddenly activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. Smoke was then seen coming from under the front end of the vehicle. After the contact exited the vehicle flames and smoke began to engulf the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was later towed to the home. The extent of the damage to the vehicle and the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · Engine · AZ · fire

While driving down the freeway, the engine began to smoke and caught fire. My husband and kids were in the car but were fortunately able to pull over without physical injuries. Our insurance company held the car and a third party company (hired by Kia) concluded “ the origin of the fire is in the engine compartment at the exhaust manifold. The cause of the fire is internal engine failure resulting in a hole in the block allowing oil to escape and ignite on contact with heated exhaust components”. There were no warnings, check engine light, etc. Kia pointed us towards a class action lawsuit but when you search our VIN # on Kia’s website, there’s are no recalls or issues reported, which is clearly false. Our family escaped serious injury/death but it could have easily been a different story. I will not stay silent and let this happen to other families. I am going to continue to advocate for my family until Kia listens.

Filed Apr 3, 2023 · Engine · 127,000 miles · LA · fire

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph a loud popping sound originated from the undercarriage on the driver's side. The contact witnessed smoke coming from the engine compartment and veered to the vehicle side of the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact was then notified by pedestrians, that a fire was originating from the engine compartment, and the contact exited the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a report was available. Additionally, the contact stated that the Engine Oil Level and the check engine safety light had been illuminated for three days prior to the failure, and approximately three quarts of oil were added four to five days before the fire. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · MO

"play" and clicking noises in steering wheel have increasingly gotten much worse and noisier, clicking and clunking on turns. I feel like any moment my steering is going to go out and I am going to put everyone in my car and around me at risk. Called dealership and they said it is a common problem which I researched and found that the coupler in steering wheel fails. Kia used the same part in presvious years same model and even years afterward and those years were recalled but not my year. Makes no sense. The next issue was I was driving on the highway at 70 and all of a sudden lost power and car would not accelerate beyond a speed of 45 mph. Black smoke came out of my tail pipe and I limped home at 20 mph. Mo engine warning lights but I could smell something was hit like melted plastic. After letting the car sit a couple hours, I started it and it sounds like there is a hole in the exhaust all of a sudden. There lots of black ish grey soot under my car as if a balloon burst with soot in it from underneath the car somewhere. I called the dealer and described the issue and all they did was look up my vin and tell me there is no recall and that I must have gotten bad gas somewhere.

Filed Oct 1, 2022 · PA

I was driving on the highway and I went To pass someone and then all of the sudden my car did not switch gears when accelerating (which has always been an issue) and a big cloud of white smoke came out of my exhaust. My car has always had issues switching gears but this time was bad. I checked all of my fluids, they were fine and my car wasn’t over heated. Once I started My car again it was fine and no smoke came out but it is still struggling to switch gears. I just Took my car to get my tires changed and looked at for any issues last week and they changed my tires and said my car had no issues. I know 2012 Kia Soul 1.6 engines just got recalled for similar issues. I also Looked up to see if anyone else with the same car had this issues and a lot of people have had this happen to them.

Filed Dec 28, 2021 · Engine · AR

2012 Kia Soul there is a recall sc176 but my car is not on the recall? Around September 2021 my Motor running hot engine light is on and is flashing acts like it has low compression won’t go when I give it gas sometimes . Engine light came on again in november2021 and did not go off My car bogged down I was going 60mph 0mw to work traffic behind me and all sudden car went down to 40 then 20 mph then came To complete stop in highway I was almost rear ended. I would give it gas but it wouldn’t go . Big puff of gray smoke came Out of tail pipe then smoke started coming out from under hood I raised hood and hot water was bubbling and splashing out of motor. Now there is no air or exhaust coming from my tail pipe car will crank but will not go smelt like wires burning . I don’t understand how the same year make and model have recalls but mine doesn’t , I’m having the same problem as the recall I’m without transportation now please help me with this matter I have a appointment on Jan 31 2022 at Kia dealership but my vin doesn’t show recall idk what to do I had someone look at it they told me it was the Catalic converter malfunctioning this is very dangerous it could have caused a wreck or caught on fire leaving me Stranded on side of road is very unsafe for a woman ant time especially at night .

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Lights · 109,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside of the vehicle. Additionally, the brake lights were inoperable prior to replacing the rear taillight housings. After replacing the brake lamp housings, the contact became aware that the brake lamps remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the abs module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was warned that the vehicle was at risk of catching on fire. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was smoking, and the wires were melting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered by recall or warranty. The approximate failure mileage 109,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2021 · Engine · 159,000 miles · NM

Traveling at 55 MPH on level highway engine started knocking started to slow down loud bang followed by sparks coming out from under vehicle became hard to steer and got pulled over bought this car new and I think this is very dangerous as car could have caught on fire due to oil and sparks under engine compartment kia seems to know about issue but refuses to do anything about it