Known for its quirky and fun design, the 2014 Kia Soul is a four-door hatchback that offers comfortable seating for up to five people. With standard equipment ranging from full power accessories to Bluetooth® phone connectivity, this unique car has a lot to offer. On the safety front, this includes antilock brakes, stability/traction control, hill-start assist, and active front head restraints for extra peace of mind behind the wheel.
As with many makes and models, however, the 2014 Soul has also been subject to a handful of recalls over the years. From issues with the accelerator pedal to potential overheating of the catalytic converter, there are a few recall notices you should be aware of if you drive a 2014 Soul. From there, you can enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) on Kia’s official recall page to find out whether any of these recalls may apply to your vehicle specifically.
Accelerator Pedal Fracture
The first recall on the 2014 Kia Soul was issued by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on March 2, 2015. This recall affects the vehicle speed control system on up to 208,858 Kia Soul and Soul electric vehicles. Specifically, affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a defective accelerator pedal that can bend and deteriorate over time. Eventually, the accelerator pedal may fracture completely, making it difficult for a driver to control the speed of the vehicle. This, in turn, could increase the risk of a crash.
While Kia has not reported any injuries as a result of this defect, at least 12 formal complaints were filed by Soul owners who experienced their accelerator pedals fracturing while driving.
To rectify this issue, Kia is installing a rubber support structure underneath the pedal stopper of all recalled models. This will provide the proper structural support required to prevent deterioration or cracking of the accelerator over time.
Steering Gear Separation
In September of 2017, a second recall was issued on more than 342,000 Soul and Soul electric vehicles after it was discovered that the pinion plug (which is located in the vehicle’s steering column) may be defective. The purpose of a pinion plug is to attach the vehicle’s pinion gear to the rest of the steering gear assembly. With a defective plug, however, the gear may separate from the assembly and result in a complete detachment of the steering wheel itself. This, in turn, may prevent the driver from steering the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Drivers who experienced this issue have reported that they noticed a clunking noise coming from the steering rack prior to the incident, particularly when turning the steering wheel.
Kia is addressing this defect by inspecting and securing the pinion plugs on all recalled vehicles. When needed, Kia will also replace the entire steering gear assembly on affected vehicles to ensure that the pinion gear is securely connected to the steering assembly.
Catalytic Converter Overheating
The most recent recall on the 2014 Soul at the time of this writing was issued in February of 2019. This recall involves the engine and engine-cooling system on up to 378,967 Kia Soul models equipped with the 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection engine. On affected vehicles, high exhaust gas temperatures can cause damage to the vehicle’s catalytic converter over time, which may result in damage to the engine’s pistons. In some cases, total failure of the piston connecting rod may also occur.
Piston damage may cause an unexpected engine stall, which can increase the risk of a crash. If the connecting rod fractures completely, it could also puncture the engine block and cause an oil leak. This, in turn, can pose a fire hazard if leaking oil comes into contact with the vehicle’s exhaust.
On recalled vehicles, Kia will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit to protect the part from overheating. If it is discovered that the catalytic converter has already been damaged due to overheating, it will be replaced at no charge. In situations where the engine has suffered from damage due to overheating, piston damage, or an engine block puncture related to this recall, the engine may also be replaced at a licensed Kia service center.
