2012 Kia Soul Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 516 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Kia Soul, 2% of the 516 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I recently noticed when stopped that the steers no wheel makes a clunking sound when steer no left to right and back again and has a little play like it's not catching. Also I recently had brake lights replaced and it quickly burned out on the bottom half of the drivers side brake light.”
NHTSA complaint #11091967, filed 2018-05, 77,000 miles“Driving home from work turned right blinker on to make turn and noticed the blinker arrow in the instrument cluster stayed on.when I got home I checked the lights and blinker and on the right side the headlight and blinker were not working .I called the dealer and they are going to look at it .I have only had the car 24 hours I will let you know what happens .I am praying it is just something simple .”
NHTSA complaint #10451710, filed 2012-03, 203 miles“When I turn my steering wheel left or right there is a very large margin before the tires turn it rattles back and forth back and forth as I'm driving down the street no control for at least three degrees and either direction, also my front of the vehicle turn signals pop out and fall out to the road and I would drive with no turn signals on the front of my vehicle?”
NHTSA complaint #11744927, filed 2026-06“Not sure if model is 2012 or 2011. A Kia SOUL was in front of me at a stop light. The stop lights on the vehicle were so bright as to almost blind me. Is there a national standard that limits the maximum light on brake taillights?”
NHTSA complaint #10443440, filed 2012-01“I posted a complaint earlier with the blinker and headlight not working. I took it back to the dealer 3/17/12 it was a loose ground they fixed it and I thank god it was something simple.”
NHTSA complaint #10452134, filed 2012-03Related service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10170778Jan 21, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 4 | 7% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 | 6 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 18 | 2% |
| 2015 | 36 | 4% |
| 2014 | 130 | 14% |
| 2013 | 10 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 13 | 7% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Kia Soul
210 complaintsSteering
167 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Soul
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology