Catalytic converter and engine failures
The 2014 Soul has about 625 complaints per 100,000 sold and 69 fire reports. Engine and catalytic converter failures are most of them.
Updated November 2026 · based on 905 owner complaints and 5 recalls
623 1.5x the Soul average
5 free to fix at a dealer
Every Soul year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2014 Soul
Top problems and what they cost
Catalytic converter overheating
The converter overheats and fails, cutting power.
Fix: Converter $1,000 to $2,000
Engine
Engine knock and failure
Knocking, piston damage and engine replacement.
Fix: Free under recall 19V120 or 20V750 if eligible
Engine
Turn signal faults
Turn signals flicker or will not turn off.
Fix: Switch $100 to $300
Exterior lighting
Recalls
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2014 Kia Soul
- Confirm recalls 17V608, 19V120 and 20V750 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2014 Soul has 5 recalls on record, listed below.
- Listen for knocking and check for a check engine light.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 251 complaints about engine knocking and failure on the 2014 Soul, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2014 Kia Soul reliable?
Catalytic converter and engine failures. The 2014 Soul has about 625 complaints per 100,000 sold and 69 fire reports. Engine and catalytic converter failures are most of them.
How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Soul have?
5 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2014 Kia Soul problems?
Catalytic converter overheating; Engine knock and failure; Turn signal faults.
Crash rating shown for the 2014 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.