Kia Soul reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 5,558 complaints about the Kia Soul with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and other or unspecified. Kia has filed 5 warranty extensions and 28 service campaigns for it, and there are 15 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Kia Soul? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Soul a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 5,558
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 5
- Filed by Kia
- Service campaigns
- 28
- Filed by Kia
- Safety recalls
- 15
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Soul with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | Exterior lights (33%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 30 | Electrical system (30%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 53 | Electrical system (26%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2022 | 91 | Engine (58%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2021 | 236 | Engine (58%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2020 | 384 | Engine (63%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2019 | 136 | Engine (64%) | 1 | 6 |
| 2018 | 218 | Engine (64%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2017 | 272 | Engine (70%) | 1 | 6 |
| 2016 | 816 | Engine (69%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2015 | 900 | Engine (70%) | 4 | 12 |
| 2014 | 902 | Engine (61%) | 5 | 13 |
| 2013 | 665 | Engine (43%) | 3 | 5 |
| 2012 | 514 | Engine (41%) | 3 | 9 |
| 2011 | 194 | Brakes (16%) | 3 | 5 |
| 2010 | 135 | Electrical system (18%) | 3 | 10 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Soul model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Kia
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Kia filed with NHTSA for the Soul, in its own words. A warranty extension means Kia pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMar 2025· Electrical system· model years 2020–2025
HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY041) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY041) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn assembly on certain 2020-2025MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 15, 2018 through…
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2014–2016
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT - Dealer Service Manager Letter - This document is the notice to the dealer service managers advising them that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive…
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2012–2016
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER SERVICE MANAGER NOTICE (PI2002A) - This document is the notification to the Dealer Service Manager advising of a new a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from…
- Warranty extensionMay 2019· Steering· model years 2012–2013
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM 2012-2013 MY Soul Vehicles Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Flexible Coupling Warranty Extension Program (WTY013) - If you have incurred expense to remedy this issue prior to the date of this notice, you may have the opportunity to obtain…
- Warranty extensionSep 2018· Electrical system· model years 2014
Warranty extension program (WTY010) - request for reimbursement form - 2014 MY Kia soul headlamp multi-function switch new vehicle limited warranty extension
- Service campaignJun 2025· Brakes· model years 2014–2019
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components, including inspection/replacement of the brake line(s), on certain 2014-2019MY…
- Service campaignDec 2024· Engine· model years 2017–2019
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the…
- Service campaignNov 2024· Engine· model years 2017–2019
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2107Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.
- Service campaignNov 2024· Engine· model years 2012–2016
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.
- Service campaignJun 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2015–2017
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC310A) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the vehicle's battery management system (BMS) software to the latest version in certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV…
- Service campaignJan 2023· Electrical system· model years 2017–2019
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Nu 2.0L GDI SULEV engines manufactured from July 29,…
- Service campaignMar 2022· Body and structure· model years 2022
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ENGINE OIL FILLER CAP REPLACEMENT (SC224) - This bulletin provides information to replace the oil filler cap on some 2022MY Seltos (SP2) and Soul (SK3) vehicles produced in the date ranges listed below, which may have an oil filler cap with…
- Service campaignDec 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2020–2021
SC199 - Questions and Answers: Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the Transmission Control Module (TCM) logic and, if necessary, replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) on some 2019-2020 Forte; 2020-2021 Soul, and…
- Service campaignNov 2020· Fuel system· model years 2017–2019
Is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to install an Auxiliary Canister Kit to improve evaporative system performance on certain 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter Turbo-GDI engine manufactured from July 25, 2016 through December 12, 2018.
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2012–2016
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: TSB - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2002) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the…
- Service campaignAug 2019· Fuel system· model years 2019
TSB: SAFETY EVALUATION SERVICE CAMPAIGN - GDI LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE INSPECTION (SC182) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the low pressure fuel line quick connector to the Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) pump on some 2019MY Soul (PS) vehicles produced from April 2,…
- Service campaignMar 2017· Wheels· model years 2014
TSB: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - DRIVESHAFT HUB NUT (LH/RH) REPLACEMENT (SC144) - This bulletin provides information on some 2014MY Soul (PS) vehicles, produced from July 21, 2013 through May 26, 2014, which may exhibit loosening of the driveshaft hub nut while driving.
- Service campaignJul 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012
Tsb: Voluntary service campaign - application of additional anti-corrosion material (SC122) - to improve customer satisfaction, kia is launching this bulletin to apply additional anticorrosion protection to various vehicle underbody components of some 2010~2013MY Soul (AM),…
- Service campaignJul 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012
Dealer principal memo (SC122) - kia motors america, inc. Will be conducting a voluntary service campaign, as a preventative measure, to add additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody of all 2006-2011 MY Rio, 2004-2009 MY Spectra, 2006-2010 MY Optima, 2010-2013 MY Soul,…
- Service campaignJul 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012
Dealer service manager memo (SC122) - kia motors america, inc.
- Service campaignJul 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2013
Is conducting a voluntary service campaign to add additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody of all 2010-2013 MY Soul vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
- Service campaignJul 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012
Questions and answers for voluntary service campaign SC122 underbody additional anti-corrosion treatment
- Service campaignMay 2015· Tires· model years 2010
Tsb: Voluntary service campaign - as a preventative measure, effective immediately, voluntary service campaign SC119 has been expanded to include all states.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Tires· model years 2010
Is conducting a voluntary service campaign to replace the tire valve stem assemblies in certain 2010 MY Soul vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Tires· model years 2010
Dealer principal memo: Attention: All dealer principals - kia motors america, inc.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Dealer parts and service manager memo: Attention: All kia parts & service managers - kia motors america, inc.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Q and a: For voluntary service campaign (SC119) 2010 MY Forte, 2010 MY Soul, and 2011 MY Sorento replacement of the valve stem assembly
- Service campaignMar 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014–2015
Tsb: Voluntary service campaign: Acu logic update (SC117) - this bulletin provides information related to the update of the airbag control unit (acu) logic of some 2014~2015MY Soul (ps) vehicles, produced from july 21, 2013 Through november 26, 2014, to reduce the likelihood of…
- Service campaignMar 2015· Electrical system· model years 2014–2015
Is conducting a voluntary service campaign to update the airbag control unit (acu) logic for anticipated rollover situations for the curtain and side airbags in certain 2014-2015 MY Soul vehicles.
- Service campaignMar 2015· Airbags· model years 2014–2015
Tsb: Voluntary service campaign: Acu logic update (SC117) - this bulletin provides information related to the update of the airbag control unit (acu) logic of some 2014~2015MY Soul (ps) vehicles, produced from july 21, 2013 Through november 26, 2014.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Soul model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine3,128 (56%)
- Other or unspecified644 (12%)
- Electrical system520 (9%)
- Steering502 (9%)
- Transmission and drivetrain407 (7%)
- Engine and cooling388 (7%)
- Fuel and propulsion335 (6%)
- Exterior lights185 (3%)
Safety recalls
15 recalls cover at least one Soul model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles.
Kia is recalling certain model year 2010 Soul and model year 2011 Sorento vehicles manufactured from september 7, 2009 Through july 30, 2010.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- AQ25001Audit query· opened Aug 2025, closed Dec 2025· Engine and cooling· model years 2021–2023
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
- AQ23002Audit query· opened Nov 2023, still open· Brakes· model years 2011–2013
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
- DP22003Defect petition· opened Sep 2022, closed Dec 2023· Engine· model years 2012, 2019–2020
Loss of Motive Power
- EA21003Engineering analysis· opened Dec 2021, closed Feb 2024· Engine· model years 2012–2016
Engine Fires
Led to recall 23V877.
- PE19004Preliminary evaluation· opened Mar 2019, closed Dec 2021· Electrical system· model years 2010–2015
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Led to recall 20V088000.
- DP18003Defect petition· opened Aug 2018, closed May 2019· Electrical system· model years 2010–2015
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Led to recall 18V907000.
- PE10030Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2010, closed Dec 2010· Steering· model years 2010
Steering Shaft Separation
NHTSA's own page for the 2025 Kia Soul has the complaint text and every document.
Was the work actually done on the car you're looking at?
Model-year records can't tell you about one car. A Kia service history check returns that vehicle's own dealer records by VIN.
Check a Kia's service historyCommon questions
Is the Kia Soul reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 5,558 owner complaints, 5 warranty extensions and 28 service campaigns Kia filed, and 15 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2014 (902), 2015 (900), 2016 (816). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Kia Soul?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (56%), other or unspecified (12%), electrical system (9%). Kia has filed 5 warranty extensions covering the Soul, listed on this page.
Which Soul model years have the most complaints?
2014 (902), 2015 (900), 2016 (816). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Soul with each other rather than with other models.
Has Kia extended the warranty on the Soul?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2020–2025); engine and cooling (model years 2014–2016); engine and cooling (model years 2012–2016), and 2 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Soul?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 15 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.