For many people, their vehicle is the first sizable investment they make. We count on them to get us from Point A to Point B safely and efficiently. However, when something goes wrong with a vehicle at its foundational level that makes it unsafe, a recall has to be issued on that vehicle to address the issue.
Just how many recalls have been reported for the 2012 Kia Soul?
As of August 2020, there have only been two recalls reported for the 2012 Soul. These relate to an engine defect and an issue with the structural design affecting airbag deployment.
Own a 2012 Kia Soul? Don’t panic, as we will discuss both of these recalls in detail. Including, what they entail and how you can go about addressing them. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this particular make and model has the following recalls attached to it:
Engine and Engine Cooling Issue
NHTSA Recall ID: 19V120000
Summary: Kia Motors America put out a recall notice on some 2012-2016 Kia Souls equipped with the 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection engines. So far, there have been almost 379,000 models affected.
High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, which could lead to issues with the piston rods, damage to the catalytic converter, as well as unsafe combustion of the engine.
Consequence: Piston damage could lead to an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash while operating the vehicle. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. Oil and fluid leakage combined with abnormally high temperatures could increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the system to replace the defective component. Kia will also inspect the vehicle for any damage caused by the issue related to the recall. Depending on the extent of any problem, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge.
Structural Defect Related to Airbag Deployment
NHTSA Recall ID: 14V822000
Summary: Kia Motors America sent out a recall notice on some 2010-2013 Kia Souls built between January 8, 2009, and October 2, 2013, that came equipped with a sunroof. There have been more than 95,000 affected models so far.
A headliner plate may have been defective in its design and installation, which may cause it to detach during deployment of the side-curtain airbags.
Consequence: A detached headliner plate can fly off at high speeds during a high impact accident when the airbags deploy. It may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a collision. Minor to severe injuries can occur depending on where and how the headliner plate impacts the occupants.
Remedy: Kia sent out notices to all vehicle owners and dealers alerting them of this issue. Kia will cover the installation of industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates so long as it is done at a licensed Kia dealership.
What to Do if Your Vehicle has a Recall
Owners may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
These sources can help determine if your vehicle has any open recalls or if there are any other safety alerts to know about.
