2014 Kia Soul Key Replacement | Wilshire Lock & Key

The 2014–2019 Soul uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Kia Soul key guide.

2014 Kia Soul: key facts

Key type: Mechanical (no chip)
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: DST80 (Texas 80-bit) — when immobilizer-equipped (incl. smart-key trims)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Base turn-key Souls of this era commonly lack an immobilizer (see the 2021-2023 theft wave; published class lists conflict on the exact Soul years). When equipped — including '!'/Exclaim smart-key trims — transpondery.com lists the Texas DST80 family. We test the car and read the key before quoting; OBD programming where a chip is present.

What kind of key does a 2014 Kia Soul use?

The 2014 Soul is a mechanical-key car. You put a metal key in the ignition and turn it. It is not a push-to-start system, and there is a mechanical key blade that works the lock. For you, that usually means a replacement is more straightforward than on a newer proximity-key car.

The one thing to check is the chip. Base turn-key Souls of this era commonly have no immobilizer, which is the same gap behind the 2021 to 2023 Kia theft wave. When a car does have an immobilizer, the published chip family is the Texas DST80 (80-bit), according to transpondery.com. That applies to chipped cars, including the smart-key trims.

So there are two possibilities for your Soul. Either the key is a plain cut key with nothing inside it, or it carries a DST80 chip that has to be programmed to the car. We find out which one you have before we quote.

Can you copy my key, or do you need to make one from scratch?

For this setup, you do not need an original key to get a new one. If you still have a working key, we can duplicate it. If you have lost every key, that is also doable. All-keys-lost replacement is possible on this car, and we can cut a key to the lock and, if there is a chip, program it to the car.

Programming on this car is done through the OBD port. It does not require NASTF SDRM secure-data access, so there is no waiting on a special credential. We come to you with a mobile van, or you can bring the car to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd.

You call (213) 577-1366 and give us the year, model, and your VIN if you have it handy.
We look at the car and test the ignition to see whether an immobilizer is present.
We read the key or cut a new one from the lock if you have no working key.
If a DST80 chip is present, we program it through the OBD port and test the car.
We check that the key turns smoothly, starts the car, and works the door locks before we finish.

What affects the cost of a 2014 Soul key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the car decides the work. These are the things that move the cost:

Whether the car has a chip at all. A plain cut key without programming is usually the more economical route.
Whether you have a working key to copy or all keys are lost. Starting from nothing takes more steps.
Whether the key needs OBD programming, which applies only when an immobilizer is present.
Whether the ignition lock itself is worn or damaged, since a key cannot fix a bad lock.
Where the car is. A mobile visit to you and a drop-off at our storefront are priced differently.
How many keys you need.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

The ignition problems we see on this car

Replacing the key is not always the real fix on a Soul. Worn ignition lock wafers can make a key stick or refuse to turn. A new key will often feel the same if the lock inside is the problem, so we check the lock before cutting anything.

The other issue is theft damage. These turn-key cars lack an immobilizer in many cases, and they were prime targets in the 2021 to 2023 Kia theft wave. If your Soul was stolen and recovered, or someone tried to start it, the steering column and ignition may be damaged. Recovered cars usually need a new ignition lock, and the keys are then matched to that lock. If that sounds like your car, tell us when you call so we bring the right parts.

If you want a broader view of what we do for the brand, see our Kia key replacement page or the Kia Soul overview.

What we confirm by VIN before we quote

Here is the honest part. The published class lists conflict on which Soul years came without an immobilizer, so we cannot tell you from a chart that your 2014 has or lacks a chip. The record for this year is marked conflicting, and we treat it that way.

What we do instead is test the car and read the key in person, then check the VIN. If a chip is there, it should be the DST80 family, and we program it by OBD. If it is not there, we cut the key and make sure it runs the car properly. Either way, you hear the answer from the car, not from a guess.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. We are one company with a storefront and our own mobile vans, and David oversees the work, so your call does not go through a dispatch middleman. We cover 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they start. You can contact us anytime, or see our full list of car key services.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2014 Kia Soul have a transponder chip?

It depends on the car. Base turn-key Souls of this era commonly have no immobilizer, but published lists conflict on the exact years. If a chip is present, transpondery.com lists the Texas DST80 family. We test the car and confirm by VIN before quoting.

Can you make a 2014 Soul key if I lost all my keys?

Yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible on this car. We cut a key to the lock and, if the car has a chip, program it through the OBD port. You do not need an original key.

Do I need the original key to get a copy made?

No. Duplication does not require an original key for this setup. A working key makes the job simpler, but it is not required.

Is the 2014 Soul a push-to-start car?

No. It uses a mechanical turn-key and has a mechanical key blade for the ignition and locks. Some trims may carry a smart-key system, which is one reason we check the car in person.

Do you need dealer-only codes or special access to program it?

No. Programming on this car is done through the OBD port, and it does not require NASTF SDRM access.

My Soul was stolen and recovered. Will a new key fix it?

Often not by itself. Theft attempts commonly damage the steering column and ignition, and recovered cars usually need a new ignition lock. We inspect the damage first, then match keys to the new lock.

My key sticks or will not turn. Is it the key or the ignition?

On a Soul it is often worn ignition lock wafers rather than the key. We check both, because a new key will not cure a worn lock.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.