Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2012 vs 2013 KIA SOUL

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 167 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 34.3% more reports in the equal exposure window

2012 490 complaints 2013 658 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2012 share 2013 share Share change
STEERING 29.0% 20.8% ▼ 8.2 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 7.2% 12.3% ▲ 5.1 pts larger share
ENGINE 33.9% 36.9% ▲ 3.0 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.1% 0.9% ▼ 2.2 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2.7% 4.4% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 1.2% 2.1% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 2.7% 1.8% ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
WHEELS 1.4% 0.6% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.2% 1.8% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2.0% 1.4% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 2.0% 1.4% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 1.0% 1.2% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE 0.2% not reported ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 0.8% 0.6% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.3% 3.2% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
TIRES 0.2% 0.3% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 0.4% 0.3% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19.5% 22.8% ▲ 3.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2012 3

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and STRUCTURE

2013 3

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and STRUCTURE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
23 → 45
◆ Injuries
25 → 25