Kia Soul common problems
Owners of 2015–2025 Kia Soul vehicles have filed 3,073 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported system is engine & cooling (96% of categorised reports). Below is every reported problem area, ranked by real complaint volume, with recall and crash context — useful if you're researching this model before buying used.
- 3,073
- Owner complaints
- 17
- Recall campaigns
- 139
- Crash-related reports
- 134
- Injury reports
Most reported problem areas
By share of categorised NHTSA complaints across all 11 model years. Each links to what that system covers and its recall history.
How to read this before buying
Complaint volume is not the same as failure rate. A model that sold in large numbers, or one that has been on sale for many years, accumulates more complaints without necessarily being less reliable. Use these figures to learn which systems to inspect, not to rank one model against another.
The single most useful next step is to check the specific vehicle's recalls by VIN — a recall repair is free at any franchised dealer, but only if it has actually been done.
Recent safety events
Full timeline- Investigation closed2021 soul
NHTSA closed investigation AQ25001
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
- Investigation closed2022 soul
NHTSA closed investigation AQ25001
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
- Investigation closed2023 soul
NHTSA closed investigation AQ25001
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
- Investigation opened2021 soul
NHTSA opened investigation AQ25001
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
- Investigation opened2022 soul
NHTSA opened investigation AQ25001
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
- Investigation opened2023 soul
NHTSA opened investigation AQ25001
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
Frequently asked
- What are the most common Kia Soul problems?
- Across 3,073 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2015–2025 Kia Soul vehicles, the most reported systems are engine & cooling (96%), airbags (2%), steering (2%).
- Which Kia Soul model year has the most complaints?
- In our index, the 2015 Kia Soul has the most owner complaints, with 898 filed.
- Are Kia Soul problems dangerous?
- Of the 3,073 complaints on record, 139 mention a crash, 163 mention a fire and 134 mention an injury, and 14 involve a death. Complaint counts are not a failure rate — check the specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN.
Problems by model year
The 2015 accounts for the most complaints (898). Open any year for its full complaint and recall report.
Where this comes from
Every figure is aggregated from consumer complaints filed directly with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not forums, reviews or estimates. Component grouping uses our published taxonomy.