NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Soul

Data refreshed June 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Soul.

Complaints

5,404

Active records

Recalls

15

Active records

TSBs

481

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

18

Injuries

258

Crashes

265

Fires

318

Top reported issues — Kia Soul

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

1,688

Reporting mechanism

1,463

Noise

1,408

Engine behavior

1,334

Condition issue

1,262

Fluid issue

1,169

Performance issue

1,121

Thermal issue

699

Vibration/harshness

354

Lighting behavior

331

Steering behavior

268

Safety restraint issue

239

Electrical issue

208

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

204

Starting behavior

181

Safety restraint behavior

179

Braking behavior

164

Smell

158

Driver assistance issue

153

Powering on/off behavior

112

Recent change

103

Access/entry issue

63

Ride/handling behavior

56

Infotainment behavior

44

HVAC behavior

23

Wiper/washer behavior

12

Electrified system issue

10

Communication/network issue

7

Charging behavior

3

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2016 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 23, 2026


What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI with approximately 83,000 miles. The vehicle experienced engine performance issues, loss of power, and stalling. A Kia dealership diagnosed a failed/melted catalytic converter and reported metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at…

2014 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 22, 2026


Calipers were froze from the salt

2013 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 22, 2026


Vehicle is experiencing rod-knock and engine performance issues along with a P0420 code for the catalytic converter. After using a diagnostic tool to retrieve code, a recall was present for the existing code, that explained the exact symptoms my car is experiencing. I have had the car since 2021 and have not received any notification regarding a recall for the engine; it was only after I ran a diagnostic check where I found out there was a past recall for the engine and catalytic converter…

2013 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 22, 2026


My vehicle engine failed on the interstate after getting KDS update on my vehicle and it is covered Kia Corporate and the franchise dealer are actively claiming they 'cannot share or access' the vehicle's electronic diagnostic data, despite the mandatory use of the connected Kia KDS tool, in an apparent attempt to obscure a documented safety defect and deny a class-action lifetime engine warranty. They have kept my car almost 2 months, won't give me a rental , only information is again them…

2015 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 21, 2026


The vehicle burns an unreasonable amount of oil. This clogs tue catalytic converter creating risks of breakdown or fire. There are many documented cases of this on the vehicle models and yet Kia has not resolved. Instead we pay for the issue. Car ownership has been consistent on maintenance and yet this issue remains.

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 21, 2026


I recently bought this 2020 Kia soul the 2 L engine and I’ve noticed every 700 miles 1 quart of oil in this concerns me because how do I not affect it would’ve ran dry and burn the motor up that me is safety. I understand that they have it to replace motor and engine for the original owner, but since I am second owner of this vehicle I don’t qualify for the hundred thousand miles 10 year warranty. My vehicle has 88,700 miles and I’m sure what not to do next.

2016 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 20, 2026


AIR BAG

2015 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 19, 2026


the car burns oil. I am having to put in 1 to 3 quarts a month.

2012 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 18, 2026


When I turn my steering wheel left or right there is a very large margin before the tires turn it rattles back and forth back and forth as I'm driving down the street no control for at least three degrees and either direction, also my front of the vehicle turn signals pop out and fall out to the road and I would drive with no turn signals on the front of my vehicle?

2015 KIA SOUL

Filed Jun 18, 2026


The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with knock sensor failure, valve cover gasket failure, and an inoperable oil pan. The contact was informed that the knock sensor, valve cover gasket and oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated June 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.