2014 Kia Soul Exterior Lighting
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Headlights seem to flicker off and on while using turn signals. Dash lights will brighten during the incident as well.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night, the front passenger’s side low-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that while activating the high-beam headlights, the driver’s side high-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side headlight assemblies had overheated and melted. The headlight assemblies and light bulbs were replaced but the failure eventually reoccurred. The contact stated that the light bulbs and headlight assemblies were replaced on several occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Since September 2015 the car Headlamps malfunctioned. I made several trips to the Dealer and was told they are not able to duplicate my complaint. Presently while driving the headlights will go off and by bumping the multi-Function light switch, they would come back on. Please see attached letter & service detail that was sent to Kia without resolution.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night at 45–50 MPH, the headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over, and the headlights returned to operation but were flickering. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the connectors had melted and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA ID Number: 10170778 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated she noticed that the driver’s side brake light bulb was inoperable. The bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
My headlights flicker or shut off intermittently when driving at night. Sometimes it seems to be associated with using my turn signal. Sometimes it seems to be associated with going from dim to bright headlights. I took my car to the dealer who said that KIA has an extended warranty to cover this repair. But when the dealer's service department could not reproduce the situation in the shop, then said KIA would not pay for the repair. I contacted KIA consumer affairs and was given a case number (14989817). After two weeks I finally was contacted and the policy was repeated by KIA. I explained that the problem was intermittent but they would not do anything on their end because the dealer could not diagnose the issue in shop.
2014 Kia Soul: Noticed some pretty dim headlights. In checking them out the lens over the headlight has orange peal cracking. On the inside. Took it to Kia dealer where I bought it with a 10 year bumper to bumper insurance policy. They told me it is not covered. To go ahead and call myself and find out. Still waiting for an answer. This is a definite safety issue. I only have 35,112 miles on it. Not happy...
Driver's side headlight flickering on and off at times. Inspected wiring and it looks like the harness socket is burning out. It looks like this is a common problem with this car and can prove to be a safety issue if your lights go out while driving
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONNECTOR MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ANDERSON, 5281 US-76, PENDLETON, SC 29670, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTION THAT THE HIGHT AND LOW BEAM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY CONSTANTLY HAD TO REPLACED THE BULB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
IN THE PAST YEAR FROM FEB LAST YEAR TILL TODAY I HAVE BOUGHT 2 SET OF LIGHTBULBS. THE 1ST SET LASTED A YEAR THE 2ND SET I BOUGHT 2/1/21 AND IT JUST BURNT OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT BUYING CHEAP BULBS EITHER.
THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2014 KIA SOUL HAVE BEEN FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO A DEALERSHIP BUT AFTER BEING CHARGED THE 80$ DIAGNOSTIC FEE, I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE BATTERING TERMINAL CONNECTOR. THE ISSUE IS STILL ONGOING EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE NEGATVE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS IS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS MANUFACTURER. WHEN IS KIA GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND DO A RECALL?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILING TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES WITH THE FAILURE RECURRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WINN KIA OF FREMONT (5633 JOHN MUIR DR, NEWARK, CA 94560) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VIN, AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR OCT 14 ,2020. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE COULD BE A FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
IF YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS THEY LIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES JUST GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHICH AT NIGHT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHILE DOING THIS AND IT CAN BE ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN TURNING OR JUST GOING STRAIGHT
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2014 KIA SOUL FLICKER WHEN TURNED ON. THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN I USE THE TURN SIGNALS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL REMEDIED BY KIA. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE SO FAR ONLY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ACTIVATED, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUOUSLY FLICKERED CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER DENNIS DILLON KIA LOCATED AT 9501 WEST FAIRVIEW AVENUE ' SUITE. B, BOISE, ID 83704, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND THE RADIO/DASH LIGHTS GO BRIGHTER (LIKE THEY DO WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF), AND THEN THE LIGHTS FAIL ALTOGETHER. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND BECOMING A GREATER SAFETY ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAYTONA KIA (510 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114), AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE MAY BE WITH THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE LEFT THE DEALER ON HER WAY TO HER RESIDENCE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
PROBLEM: MULTIFUNCTIONAL SWITCH ISSUE (LIGHTS FLICKER WHILE I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT AND TURN OFF RANDOMLY!) CAR: KIA SOUL 2014 NO APPARENT RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR CONSUMER SAFETY ISSUE.
WHILE DRIVING WITH DAUGHTER I USED MY TURN SIGNAL ON A BUSY HWY GOING 70MPH TO CHANGE LANES. THE HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, AND RADIO/CLOCK ALL FLICKERED AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN. A FEW DAYS WENT BY AND WE WERE TRAVELING TO A NEARBY STORE AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND HAS KEPT OCCURRING. I CANNOT JUST BE TRAPPED IN MY HOME AFRAID TO BE OUT AFTER DARK OR TRAVEL WITH MY CHILD AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA SHOULD FIX IT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT'S DANGEROUS! I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE...
HEADLIGHTS ON THE LIGHTS START FLICKERING WHEN I BEGIN TO PULLOUT INTO THE MAIN STREET.WENT TO TURN AND HAD THE TURN SIGNAL ON AND HEADLIGHTS STARTS FLICKERING AGAIN. TOLD MY SON HE SAID IT HAPPENED TO HIM SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT A WEEK AGO.
IT DOES THIS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION LIGHTS GO OFF AND SOMETIMES FLICKER WHEN TURNING OF TURNING SIGNALS
WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER OR GO OFF. IN ADDITION, ALL INTERIOR NIGHT LIGHTS AND DISPLAYS GO BLACK. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE STATIONARY. THE RADIO AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT GO OFF SO THIS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT BUT THIS IS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY NEEDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY.
HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENT THEN GO OUT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE TECHNICAL BULLETINS ON HEADLIGHTS. LOST LEFT HEADLIGHT BECAUSE CONNECTORS WERE MADE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL. THE SOCKED MELTED. DEALER WANTED $800.00 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT. PARTS AND TIME TO DO IT MYSELF WAS ABOUT $100.00. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY LOOSING HEADLIGHTS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE IS A HARD CALL TO TURN INTO A RECALL. ON MY WAY IN TO WORK THIS MORNING MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT MAKING IT 2 FOR 2. HEADLIGHTS ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT IS DARK. WITH ONE LIGHT OUT IS IS HARD TO SEE, IN THIS CASE, THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD ON THE WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD I TRAVEL IN TO MY OFFICE. THIS STARTS AS INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUALLY BURNS THE CONNECTOR SOCKETS. YOU CAN DO BETTER.
THE HEADLIGHT BULB CONNECTOR HAS MELTED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND HEADLIGHT NO LONGER TURNS ON. PASSENGER SIDE STILL WORKS BUT WILL NEED TO GET REPLACES ASAP.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES TURN OFF FOR A SECOND OR 2, AND ALSO GO OFF MAJORITY OF TIMES WHEN USING TURN SIGNALS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A YEAR NOW.THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES FOR THIS BUT NO CORRECTION EVEN ATTEMPTED. PROBLEM OCCURRED ON CITY STREET WHILE TURNING.
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Quick Summary
The 2014 Kia Soul has 81 Exterior Lighting complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.