The 2012 Soul lasts around 200,000 miles, but there are steering and engine problems. At $7,082 – 9,210, it’s not worth the money when there are expensive parts that fail.
Is the 2012 Kia Soul a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2012 is a bad year. Owners have complained about limited space, a cheap interior, and rough suspension.
- Reliability ratings are below average. There are four times the number of complaints in 2012 compared to 2011, with mechanical improvements for 2016 and newer.
- Performance is weak from both 4-cylinder engines.
- The Soul is a safe vehicle getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award.
- Fuel economy is very good at up to 27 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Soul?
- Consumer Reports finds the Soul to be stiff and noisy with low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Soul a 4.3/5 liking the compact boxy styling, but cargo room is smaller than rivals.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Soul a 4.5/5 and enjoy the affordability, but loses value fast.
What Common Problems Does the 2012 Kia Soul Have?
Problems with the 2012 Soul are very serious including steering issues, engine failures, and the transmission shifting hard.
Clunking noises while turning are extremely common at around 80,000 miles. The flex coupler on the steering column is the most common source, costing around $850 to replace.
Engine failures are mentioned by owners in the first 50,000 miles. The main source is high exhaust gas temperatures, which can cause damage to the pistons and rods. Replacing the engine costs over $5,000.
Transmission shifting issues are brought up by owners at around 100,000 miles. The most common source of the problem is low fluid levels, changing the fluid costs about $200.
There are 2 recalls with the most serious being for the catalytic converter which may cause the engine to overheat. The second recall is just for the headliner plate, and is not a concern once it’s been replaced.
How Long Will the 2012 Kia Soul Last?
A properly maintained 2012 Soul should be able to last about 200,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles shorter than top-rated competitors including the RAV4. Maintenance costs are affordable according to Repair Pal, at $471 per year.
A 2012 Soul likely has over 100,000 miles and buyers should be prepared to replace the clutch for $1,000, the oil pan costing $450, and a seat heater switch which costs $125.
It has had no problems at all since I bought it. It is getting high in miles, and I keep up with maintenance, but it has run perfectly.
I feel that it is very reliable. The only downside I think it has is how light it is when empty because you can feel every bump on the road and the uneven parts are very noticed.
The only problem the Kia soul may have is that it can look odd or too small, but it is still useful everywhere else.
It has been reliable in getting me around but it has consistently had minor issues. The check engine light has been on frequently during its lifespan.
This has been a very reliable car that has not provided and major issues. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.
The Kia soul + is extremely reliable. I have not experienced any problems with my car and I have had it for over two years.
The only problem is the gas mileage. Except for that I have only had to have a headlight replaced and have the usual regular oil changes and regular maintenance.
Very reliable car. It has had no issues, just done required maintenance, oil changes, tires, shocks and struts, etc. nothing major and has ran great.
How Much Is the 2012 Kia Soul Worth?
Blue book prices range from $7,082 – 9,210 making the Soul $3,000 cheaper than a CR-V or Liberty. When new, the price range was $13,900 to $19,600. Depreciation is worse than average, losing 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Soul?
There are three versions of the Soul available. Technology is okay and was last updated in 2010 with a full redesign of the SUV showing up in 2014.
Base is the entry-level model and comes with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 3.5mm AUX and USB Connectivity
Soul + is a step up adding features such as:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
- Automatic Headlights
- Rearview Camera
Soul ! is the flagship model and has:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Two-Tone Interior Cloth Seating
- Sunroof
- 8-Speaker Infinity Sound System
What Engines Come In the Soul?
- The base engine is a weak 1.6L 4-cylinder with 138 horsepower getting 27 MPG combined.
- A more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder is available, making 164 horsepower and getting 26 MPG combined. The larger engine is still slow, taking 8.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Soul Come In?
How Big Is the Soul?
The 2012 Soul is classified as a compact SUV, but is smaller than rivals including the RAV4 and Escape. Passenger room is good in the cabin with plenty of room in the backseats for adults.
Cargo space is small with only 19 cubic feet of room behind the backseats, increasing to 53 cubic feet when folded flat.
How Does the Soul Compare to the Competition?
The Honda Fit is one of its closest rivals costing only about $500 more. Passenger and cargo space are both better in the Fit, but the Soul has more technology. We recommend the Honda Fit since there are fewer mechanical issues helping it last longer.
The Scion xB is another competitor at around $1,000 more. Performance is better in the xB, but the Soul has a higher-quality interior. The Scion xB is a better choice since it is more reliable to own long term with no engine issues.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Soul?
Yes, it has been reliable and had no issues since I bought it used in 2013. I like that it has a small body, but still manages to have a lot of room for passengers and cargo.
Yes, good gas mileage, comfortable seats plenty of room. Drives long distances well and has a very good sound system. Good for people of all heights.
This Kia has always been reliable, safe, and easy to navigate with. I'd highly recommend it to any driver young or old.
No the gas mileage is not good and I have had many issues with my car. The car goes through oil very quickly and needs to be checked frequently.
It is a very dependable vehicle with many features. It is excellent on snow and has good pep for being a 4 cylinder vehicle.
I absolutely love my 2012 Kia soul +. It has an excellent turning radius. The gas mileage is amazing and is even better when eco mode is on. It has a good amount of space and is not too big of a car.
Absolutely I love its looks, it is size, it is pick up. I have had this car for seven years and the battery is still the original. The one negative is the gas mileage.
Yes it is a wonderful car. Have had no major issues requiring maintenance. Only have had suggested maintenance and has ran great.