2017 Kia Soul Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 05/03/2026

I reported the issue yesterday, but we have additional information. Here is a timeline of the incident as recorded by the doorbell camera: 2026-05-03 085400 Car parked 101423 Car is already trying to start by itself 101713 Car still starting, starter slowing down 101734 Starter sounds overheated 101740 Starter slows to stop 101835 First visible smoke 102304 Neighbor notices 102338 I was notified 102452 Used extinguisher 102600 Fire out 102744 Called the fire department 103600 Fire department arrives shortly after I have camera videos showing much of the timeline. I cannot upload because they exceed the limits of this form. Well over an hour after the car was driven, the starter engaged. It ran for almost 4 minutes straight as far as I can tell. In the videos we have, you can hear it seize up from the heat. About a minute later, smoke is visible. Had this not been caught in thte timely manner that it was, it would have been devastating. Here is a link to two of the videos. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/03/2026

After multiple recent services at the dealership, the car caught fire while idle in the driveway. The fire was under the hood in the front part of the engine compartment, just behind the latch mechanism. Fire was extinguished and verified by the local fire department. The parking spaces are close to other cars and townhouses.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/25/2025

2017,Kia soul plus brakes failed with no warning and we crashed into an intersection and hit a dump truck. I suffered severe broken bones including a compound femur fracture and broken arm. I was trapped in the car for over a hour. Both my arm and leg have rods and pins now. I also suffer from severe ptsd and nightmares. I hospitalized from 6/25-7/4, and in a nursing home until 7/4-8/1, learning to walk again. I received the voluntary recall letter on 7/11when I was in the nursing home. It was sent too little too late. I’m contacting an attorney and Kia deserves to pay. Kozlowski towing took the care away. I do not know if they still have it

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 08/25/2024

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. While the contact was asleep, they were awoken by an abnormal burning smell. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the rear end of the vehicle had caught fire. A neighbor called the authorities and the fire department extinguished the fire. The fire department informed the contact that the fire was caused by an electrical wiring failure in the rear taillights. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle remained in the contact's possession. The vehicle had yet to be inspected or diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY — Filed 12/22/2023

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to park on an incline, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration which resulted in a crash. The contact crashed into a handicap ramp. The vehicle then unintended accelerated in reverse where the vehicle crashed into a cement pole and a bush. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence pending another tow by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,114.

ENGINE — Filed 10/20/2023

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH on the interstate, black smoke emanated from the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the flames of the vehicle grew larger. The contact exited the vehicle when suddenly it exploded. The low oil pressure, air bag, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The fire department extinguished the fire. The police department was on the scene and confirmed that the fire department filed a report. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

ENGINE — Filed 09/17/2023

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle started to smoke under the hood. The contact noticed that there was a fire under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report was filed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. The VIN was not available.

ENGINE — Filed 06/30/2023

On 6/30/23 While exiting the highway and waiting at a traffic light he noticed smoke coming from the hood. As he proceeded through the intersection to pull over the dashboard lit up with many lights and then the power went out. He was able to coast to the side of the road. A Police Officer happened to be nearby and called the fire department. When they arrived and opened the hood the engine compartment was in flames. They put the fire out and then the car was towed to a storage yard. A claim was filed with the insurance who then had the car moved to the dealership for repairs. On 7/5/23 Upon arrival, the service advisor proceeded to do their normal intake, put the key in the ignition, and started the car which then burst into flames and became a total loss. The regular driver of the car is disabled and it takes him some time to get in and out of the car, if it had been engulfed in flames he would not have been able to get out as quickly as your average driver. The insurance and manufacturer both have inspected the car and determined it was an engine failure. The car had been to the dealership the week before for an oil change.

ENGINE — Filed 08/07/2023

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started pulling to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she allowed the vehicle to pull to right lane as there was no traffic, and the vehicle struck the guard rail. The vehicle then stopped and made an abnormal banging sound. The vehicle was towed to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine. The vehicle was then towed to an unknown dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and would be repaired out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,845.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 06/17/2023

The car engine made a clamoring noise and sudden seized up and stopped in the middle of traffic. The hood started smoking and a good Samaritan passed by and alerted me to get out of car. I did and noticed puddle of liquid was in flames and soon the front of the car was also in flames.

ENGINE — Filed 03/27/2023

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound inside the vehicle then the vehicle started to decelerate without warning. The contact then stated that other drivers on the road alerted the contact’s friend that a fire had ignited underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s friend was able to pull the vehicle off the road and exit the vehicle. The local authorities were notified and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot where the technician diagnosed the vehicle that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/17/2023

On 11/07/22 my car started to sputter & lose power while going up a hill, the incident only lasted a few seconds with no warning lights. Later that same day my car wouldn't start and when it finally did start it started sputtering, had no power with no warning lights, plus there was a strong smell of gas from inside the car. I had the car towed to a local shop. The shop cleaned the injectors, put a fuel treatment in the tank and replaced a bad O2 censor. 8 Days later on another hill it happened again. A hard sputtering followed by loss of power, still no warning lights but also no smell of gas. I drove it back to the same shop and after just one day the shop could not get my car to reproduce the same incident but was having difficulty starting it so they installed a new battery. 5 Days later on Thanksgiving my car sputtered hard while driving with no warning lights or smell of gas. I was barely able to get my car across 2 lanes of oncoming traffic in order to pull into a store's parking lot. I had it towed to a new shop. At this new shop it was diagnosed that the car needed new Spark Plugs, a new High Pressure Fuel Pump and new Injectors but the shop took 3 weeks to give me an estimate and so I went and retrieved my car and towed it KIA of Lynchburg, having only had the Spark Plugs replaced. Once at KIA, I was told I had a Catalytic Converter failure and it needed replacing. KIA said that it would be covered under Emissions Warranty. I had the part installed and 3 days later on New Years Eve as I was driving on the highway, I had to come to a stop due to a stop light and when I halted, the car again sputtered and I limped into a nearby parking lot and had it towed back to KIA. KIA tried to say it was Engine Failure this time but the Engineers said the High Pressure Fuel Pump should be replaced. Once installed and during a test drive by the Master Mechanic, smoke emanated from under the hood. Soon after that my Engine bay was on fire which led to a total loss.

ENGINE — Filed 11/27/2022

I was driving down the interstate and my car made a loud noise, so I pulled over. Smoke started pouring out then it was immediately in flames. No prior issues. No injuries as I was able to get out. If fire recalls were till 2015, clearly my vehicle had issues too. What do I do?

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/11/2021

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while in stop-and-go traffic, an 18-wheeler crashed into her vehicle and sent the vehicle into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact and the contact hit her head on the driver-side window. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a fractured skull and a concussion. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed which noted that the guardrail was damaged and in need of repair. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and was deemed a total loss. After the accident, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000(Air Bags) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/20/2022

On August 20, 2022, I was driving my 2017 KIA Soul and was slammed into in the front of my car, at full speed, by a KIA sedan which had sped across my path in an attempt to make an illegal U-turn across a highway. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED in my KIA OR in the other errant KIA's car! I suffered physical injuries upon impact to the chest and sternum and was removed from the scene by ambulance. Since that awful crash, I have read a number of articles that KIA is in the process of issuing recalls for airbag malfunctions in their cars, beginning with the year 2017. This must be made known and corrected!

ENGINE — Filed 07/22/2022

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, a cloud of black-colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact used his emergency brake to stop and immediately exited the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle quickly caught fire; by the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was incinerated. A fire report and police report were both filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The contact went to the unknown dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

ENGINE — Filed 06/21/2022

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, knocking noise would emit from the engine without warning. The contact notified the dealer and they informed him that the knocking noise was normal vehicle operation. The contact then stated that while driving at 60 MPH as the knocking noise persisted, the noise grew increasing louder without warning. The contact looked out of his rearview mirror and saw a cloud of white smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. As he pulled over, he inspected the hood and saw flames encroaching towards the front driver's seat. The contact instructed his girlfriend to exit the vehicle, as he went back to retrieve a cell phone, he burned the hairs off both arms, and his right leg, as well as some hair on his head and face. The contact called the authorities while the vehicle became engulfed in flames as his children's safety seat and strollers were inside the vehicle. The children were not in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact also stated that part of a highway sign was burned due to the fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a police report was filed. The contact sought medical treatment at the scene where paramedics checked his vital signs and the burns to his body. The contact stated that both he and his girlfriend have suffered severe mental anguish as a result of the fire. The contact has suffered from traumatic dreams and hallucinations since the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and deemed a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The contact then filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/16/2022

I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane to the left of me, and behind me. I had both of my hands on the steering wheel the entire time. I, of course, took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brakes. The brakes were not stopping the car. The car took off and was uncontrollable. I hit the car in the lane to my left, traveled across the same lane, then luckily ran up a curb and onto a median that had grass on it. The car was out of control and moving swiftly. I steered it to the right and off the median (which avoided hitting oncoming traffic head-on). The brakes were not stopping the car. I heard and felt that the car was hitting things: the car to my left, the median, etc.) I think the car may have spun 360 degrees, one complete revolution, and then jumped the curb and went up onto the median again. Again, I steered to the right to avoid crossing the median. The car then spun 180 degrees, and stopped perfectly facing south in the left northbound lane. (I thought I had gone up the median two times; however, maybe it was only once, as my passenger thought. I don't know if it was once or two times up the curb and onto the median. It all happened so fast.) Car was towed away. What failed: the car wildly took off, veering to the left; the brakes didn't stop the car Risk: the car was uncontrollable (except steering somewhat) and moving; if not for the curb and wide median, I would have traveled head-on into oncoming traffic; the car spun as if spinning on ice Reproduced: the car has not been touched; there is a consumer affairs case open with its manufacturer Inspected: by my insurance appraiser, at the dealership Warning: none, was a shocking surprise

ENGINE — Filed 05/27/2022

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH said she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine as she depressed the accelerator. The contact heard a loud bang coming from the engine, smoke began to emit from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off to the left side of the highway and jumped over the highway divider and twisted her left ankle. The police and fire department was not called. The contact did not seek medical attention. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/07/2022

Severe front end damage in accident and airbags never deployed on 4/7/2022. Airbag light was never illuminated on the dash. Never received notification of recall before accident. Both driver and passenger taken to emergency room.

ENGINE — Filed 01/04/2022

After dropping me off school my partner began his way home. Along the way there was a poof of smoke coming from under the hood. He pulled over to the edge of the highway and as soon as he got out the car caught on fire. Then there was a second burst. The car was completely burned. We lost our lively hood. Medical supplies that were in the car. I have since contacted kia and they are not doing anything about it.

ENGINE — Filed 09/26/2020

BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2017 KIA SOUL IN 2019 AND 1 YEAR AFTER USAGE THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE FOR WHAT IT APPEARED TO BE NO REASON. I'VE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING AROUND 60,000 MILES AND CONVENIENTLY ENOUGH OUR VEHICLE HAD 65000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN SMOKE WHEN IT FAILED. IT CAUSED A CRACK TO GO UP THROUGH THE SHORT BLOCK AND LUCKILY WASN'T ABLE TO DAMAGE THE VALVE TRAIN. I'VE TRIED CONTACTING EVERY KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I GOT THE SENSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE COSTLY HEADACHE, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE FACT I WAS BARELY OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY THRESHOLD OF 60000 MILES. I FEEL LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE ENGINES ESPECIALLY IF THEY IS AN ONGOING LAWSUIT AGAINST OTHER KIA MODELS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/23/2020

ON 10/23/2020 I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A 2017 JEEP WRANGLER AND THE AIR BAGS IN MY SOUL DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SOUL IS A TOTAL LOSS, DUE TO FRAME DAMAGE.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/06/2020

TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE CALLING FOR THEIR PARENTS WHO OWN A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR FATHER WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN A VEHICLE TWO CARS IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE THEN BOUNCE AND HIT THEIR VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED A HEAD AND NECK INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DROVE OFF WITH NO ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR3E MILEAGE WAS 2.800.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/29/2019

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AIR BAGS HAVE NOT GONE OFF IN A CRASH ON THIS CAR THE FIRST CRASH WAS AT 55 MPH HEAD ON AND THEY DIDNT GO OFF AND THE SENSORS WERE HIT AND DAMAGED. TODAY THE CAR WAS IN ANOTHER HEAD ON CRASH WITH INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS TO MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAGS . IN BOTH CRASHES THE VECHILE WAS IN MOTION.I WILL BE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE CAR TOMORROW. SOMEONE COULD HAVE DIED IN THIS CRASH.