2012 Audi A3 vs 2012 Kia Soul
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Audi A3 | 2012 Kia Soul |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 43 | 514 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 869 | 132 |
| Investigations | 2 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 25 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 23 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 24–32 | 25–27 |
| Median reported mileage | — | 88,850 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Audi A3 | Kia Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 209 |
| Steering | 0 | 166 |
| Air Bags | 31 | 17 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 38 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 34 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 0 | 32 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 21 |
| Power Train | 0 | 21 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 79 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 71 |
| Stalling | 0 | 63 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 26 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 13 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 12 |
| Oil consumption | 0 | 10 |
| Overheating | 0 | 10 |
2012 Audi A3
2012 Kia Soul
Compare all Audi A3 vs Kia Soul years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.