Kia Soul owners filed 3,124 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2015 Kia Soul drew the most complaints (897); across all years, owners complain most about engine (65% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2015, with 897 complaints, led by engine (628) and 4 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 2,038 complaints and 4 recalls.
- Stop-driving recalls: One recall told owners to park outside until repaired (23V531000).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2015 (4.1 times as many complaints), 2016 (3.7 times as many complaints), 2020 (1.7 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: brakes complaints came at a median 18k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 166 complaints mention a fire and 135 a crash, with 135 injuries and 14 deaths reported.
Kia Soul complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 4 recalls | 897 | Engine (628), Fuel system (76), Electrical system (75) median 88k mi · 33 crashes · 83 fires |
| 2016 2 recalls | 811 | Engine (556), Engine and cooling (106), Fuel system (83) median 82k mi · 28 crashes · 35 fires |
| 2017 1 recall | 271 | Engine (190), Electrical system (19), Transmission / powertrain (19) median 74k mi · 17 crashes · 14 fires |
| 2018 1 recall | 218 | Engine (140), Transmission / powertrain (31), Electrical system (19) median 54k mi · 14 crashes · 14 fires |
| 2019 1 recall | 136 | Engine (87), Air bags (15), Electrical system (14) median 50k mi · 11 crashes · 8 fires |
| 2020 1 recall | 379 | Engine (236), Transmission / powertrain (89), Electrical system (28) median 13k mi · 9 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2021 2 recalls | 232 | Engine (132), Engine and cooling (47), Transmission / powertrain (26) median 65k mi · 12 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2022 1 recall | 88 | Engine (51), Engine and cooling (19), Transmission / powertrain (12) median 69k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 4 recalls | 51 | Electrical system (13), Engine (13), Steering (8) median 20k mi · 5 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2024 no recall | 29 | Electrical system (9), Engine (4), Lane departure assist (3) median 7k mi · 1 fire |
| 2025 no recall | 12 | Exterior lights (4), Brakes (2), Lane departure assist (2) 2 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 17, more than the 10 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Kia Soul problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,038 | 65% | 4 | 85k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 311 | 10% | 1 | 33k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Engine and cooling | 266 | 9% | 4 | 99k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 258 | 8% | 1 | 55k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Fuel system | 233 | 7% | 0 | 65k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Steering | 130 | 4% | 1 | 33k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 105 | 3% | 1 | 45k mi | — |
| Brakes | 103 | 3% | 0 | 18k mi | Brake repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Kia Soul owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
My vehicle with 59,000 miles developed a knocking sound in engine. Took to Kia dealership. They said my car has bearing failure but my car is out of warranty due to time, not mileage. I found where Kia recalled 695,000 (2015) Kia souls with the 2.0 liter motor (same as mine) for a design flaw that causes bearing failure. They told me sorry I'm out of luck. They want to charge me $10,000 for a new engine.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11362530
Catalytic converter needed to be replaced at 98,914 miles in my 2016 2.0 l ( cost me $3,144.78 since out of warranty). Oil consumption seems to be a big problem too. I usually change oil every 3 months, regardless of mileage, but this car needs it every 2 months. Dealer recommended using synthetic oil. No warning lights, car wouldn't go over 35 MPH on highway.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11469412
Related recalls: 20V750000 (2015): An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. 19V120000 (2015–2016): Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. 25V099000 (2021–2023): Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
2,038 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
Car is on second complete transmission failure at 10,500 miles. 1st failure at 10,000 miles. Transmission locked up in busy intersection coming off major interstate. Kia dealer informed me it needed complete new transmission. Dealer had unit for over 2 months.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11310304
The transmission on the vehicle has gone bad twice since we purchased it used. The car has 34,400 miles on it. The problem puts the driver in an unsafe situation as the problem causes the car to lose power while at high speeds. The piston rings have also been replaced as part of the recall. Kia just keeps replacing these parts with more defective parts. I have videos if you want them.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11716734
Related recalls: 23V531000 (2023): An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
311 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Engine and cooling
Vehicle has begun burning oil excessively and has a smell of gas in the oil. The oil is changed regularly with the correct oil. This did not begin to occur until the vehicle had a recall issue resolved at the dealership. The vehicle has 113,000 miles on it, a engine service light is on and and is throwing a P420 code.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11503439
The contact owned a 2021 Kia soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25V099000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning electrical odor. No warning lights were illuminated.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11646862
Related recalls: 25V099000 (2021–2023, described above). 21V259000 (2020–2021): A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire. 20V750000 (2015, described above).
266 owners reported engine and cooling problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Kia Soul recalls
Check these first: 23V531000 (2023, transmission / powertrain: park outside).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V099000 | 2025-02-17 | 2021–2023 | Engine and cooling | Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 23V830000 | 2023-12-22 | 2023 | Air bags | An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash. |
| 23V531000 | 2023-07-31 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. |
| 23V298000 | 2023-04-26 | 2023 | Electrical system | A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V031000 | 2022-01-25 | 2017–2019 | Air bags | Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 21V259000 | 2021-04-13 | 2020–2021 | Engine | A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 20V750000 | 2020-12-02 | 2015 | Engine | An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 19V120000 | 2019-02-22 | 2015–2016 | Engine | Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 17V608000 | 2017-09-29 | 2015–2016 | Steering | If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V123000 | 2015-03-02 | 2015 | Speed control / acceleration | If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
3,124 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Kia models in the index
- Kia Sorento (4,270)
- Kia Optima (2,598)
- Kia Telluride (1,977)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.