Kia Soul problems
The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Kia since 2008. Often described and marketed as a crossover since its introduction, the Soul is a hatchback with a box proportion and tall roof, which are designed to maximize its interior space. Despite its SUV-like styling, the Soul was never available with all-wheel drive, instead it is exclusively a front-wheel drive vehicle.
The Soul first appeared in 2006 in the form of a concept model displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The production model made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. During its introduction, Kia stated that the Soul is aimed at the North American market, and targeted towards buyers in the 18 to 35-year old range.
The second-generation model was introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year, which featured a larger exterior and interior dimensions along with a reworked chassis, while keeping its boxy styling. The Soul is currently in its third generation, which was introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Since 2014, Kia has also marketed a battery electric variant as the Soul EV.
The name "Soul" comes from the homophone of Seoul, the city that hosts Kia's headquarters.
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Kia Soul model years
Common Kia Soul problems
Based on complaints from Kia Soul owners, common problems with these cars include:
- Engine Failure:
- Owners reported engine failures in various model years like 2013, 2015, and 2016.
- Symptoms include banging noises, smoking engines, and oil plug issues.
- Repair costs can be substantial, with average costs ranging from $4,600 to $7,000.
- Transmission Issues:
- Transmission problems such as fluid leaks and loosening can lead to severe damage.
- Small leaks can escalate and necessitate transmission replacement if not addressed promptly.
- Airbag Problems:
- Instances where airbags failed to deploy properly or at all have been reported.
- In accidents, this malfunction can lead to injuries, highlighting safety concerns.
- Electrical Malfunctions:
- Owners reported issues like power steering shutdown and malfunctioning seat belts.
- Electrical system components can cause safety hazards, such as sudden power failures while driving.
- Fuel System Issues:
- Problems with fuel injectors causing engine flooding and other malfunctions.
- Defective fuel injectors can lead to engine damage and pose safety risks for drivers.
These issues highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of trouble to ensure the safety and reliability of Kia Soul vehicles.
Is the Kia Soul a very reliable car?
Kia Soul holds an impressive reliability rating of 4.5/5.0, performing well in real-world owner feedback and expert evaluations, outshining many competitors.
Do Kia Souls have mechanical problems?
Just like any other vehicle model, the Kia Soul still has some common issues such as engine failure, engine knocking, and ticking noises from the engine.
What is the best year for Kia Soul?
The model years 2012 – 2020 see a drop in the number of recalls and are considered the best years for Kia Soul. They boast better reliability than their previous models.
What years did Kia have engine problems?
Worst Issues
- engine failure in the 2011 Optima. ...
- catastrophic engine failure in the 2012 Sorento. ...
- engine blown in the 2013 Optima. ...
- engine stopped working while driving in the 2012 Sportage. ...
- engine stalls/shuts down while driving in the 2013 Sorento. ...
- blown motor in the 2013 Sorento. ...
- engine failure in the 2012 Optima.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Kia Soul years
We have researched Kia problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Kia Soul cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Kia Soul model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Kia Soul model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Kia Soul years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Kia Soul car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Kia Soul , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Kia Soul vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Soul model years
A total of 246 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Soul model years
There were a total of 289 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Soul model years
There were a total of 241 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Soul model years
There were a total of 15 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 4494 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Kia Soul . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Kia Soul vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Kia Soul 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: KNDJP3A5XF7
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: purchased vehicle on 10/12/2024 was driving it home the car started knocking, and loosing acceleration on freeway. the car was smelling of very volatile gas fumes. i put some gas in car for the trip home . drove about 15-18 miles had to pullover into the v shape of the merging section of a on ramp,. could not make it to the emergency lane on the freeway. used family members road side assistance to get car home, took it to the kia dealer (car pros moreno valley) towed to them because they said had to get a appt,. which they set up for today 10/25/2024. the intake person was letting us know it was just a update as if the fuel leak and oil leak was not a part of the recall and it would cost us 9000-13,000 to fix the engine plus the diagnosis of 240.00 getting the run around already for a dangerous situation. the car has caught fire for other owners, of the same year and make. the customer care person stated to me it is just a oil pan leak, as if the car is safe and anything else is our problem. the car reeks of fumes and could not be safe to drive. they were questioning us about the recall as to why it was not done? we told him we were not the owners we dont know if they got the notices? no, unknown only owned the car 0n 10/12/24 for 30 minutes before this started warning lights appeared on dash after knocking and acceleration went out. car was towed and left at kia dealer today. he was talking to us as if it was our fault the car was dangerous and could blow up while driving!!!
Kia Soul 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: KNDJT2A52D7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the low oil pressure warning light were illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to drive to the contact's residence. Additionally, the contact stated while his daughter was driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering, and the driver noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The vehicle stalled. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000(Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Kia Soul 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
- VIN: KNDJT2A27B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the MIL warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while the vehicle was idling, the contact noticed abnormal burning odor. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a fee would be charged for additionally repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Kia Soul 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
- VIN: KNDJX3A58G7
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to accelerate to highway speeds. The vehicle continuously went into LIMP Mode. The message for rod bearing failure was displayed on the display screen. The contact used a code reader and reset the system. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The knock sensor message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle had a salvage title and declined to perform the service. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Kia Soul 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: KNDJP3AE8G7
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: My wife was driving the 2016 KIA Soul EV and the car just shut itself off in the middle of the intersection. She was able to turn the car off and turn it back on, but nearly caused an accident. A few months later it did it again. After getting a new software update, I told KIA About the vehicle shutting down, and they told me that if it happens again that we will need to bring it it. So we brought it in. We believe we were able to narrow down the cause to be related to regenerative breaking on a full battery. On Newer EV models, when the battery is fully recharged, regenerative breaking is disabled to prevent overcharging the battery, I dont know what they do to these kias. When we brought it in they said it needed a new battery, but I am not sure if they are going to fix the vehicle shutdown issue. I think that the BMS may be shutting the car down to prevent the vehicle from overcharging the battery when we are going down hills. I've got tired of KIA and their lies. I read information about a battery recall, and they wouldn't recall the battery and replace it with the e400 battery. They said the battery was fine. They lied to me and my wife. The battery was proven recently to be defective and they were hoping the vehicle would make it past its warranty date so they wouldn't have to replace it. We took the vehicle to KIA to replace the battery, and a couple of weeks later they were able to put a battery in it, then driving it home I was bombarded with warnings, and the vehicle power was reduced by 50%, I was afraid something would happen. The vehicle also would not charge. KIA Techs came to our house and drove it back to the dealership, and it's been there ever since. They say the vehicle needs a new BMS. I think this issue with the vehicle shutting down like this is highly dangerous and needs to be reported. It even happened once when I was in the vehicle at the middle of an intersection, which could have caused an accident! (29k miles)
Kia Soul 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: KNDJP3A51J7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Oil plug fell out while driving, engine needed to be replaced.
Kia Soul 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KNDJN2A22E7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On [XXX] my 2014 Kia Soul caught on fire while I was at a gas station. There had been no warning lights, however when I first started it that day it acted like it didn't want to start. A man ran in the gas station and got their fire extinguisher and put the engine fire out. I called 911 , and when the fire department inspected it they said the fire was completely out. They filed a report and I had my car towed to Glassman Kia Southfield Michigan. It's been there since August 31st, and they still haven't told me what caused my fire. I've been in contact with KIA America in California and have been getting nothing but what seems like a snow job. The car is available at the car dealership for inspection, but only God knows if they have inspected it yet. I am [XXX] with no transportation for almost two months. This is just wrong. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Kia Soul 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: KNDJX3A53E7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound and odor coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the dealer requested for the contact to pay for the repairs out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
Kia Soul 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: KNDJ53AF6M7
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: My car has never had the gas mileage that is advertised; it’s always been about 3-4 mpg less than the 28 mpg city/31 mpg highway. Recently, I had multiple engine system failures with the plug-in check devices at places like AutoZone saying my ignition coils were misfiring, and after bringing it to the dealership twice for about 1.5 months each time for a total of 3 months, they replaced the fuel injectors and a few other parts the first time before releasing the car to me only to have the same errors come back within 24 hours and I ended up bringing it back only for them to tell me the entire fuel pump system is shot and needed to be completely replaced and all fuel flushed out. Both times I brought it in they claimed it was due to bad gas, but after talking to my insurance, my claim agent concluded it was not bad gas as newer cars like mine have internal sensors that will completely stop the car from driving or even turning on if bad gas is detected to prevent further damage and that’s never been the case for me. I’ve always been able to drive my vehicle and the only noticeable issue would be my fuel mileage. I’ve had the new fuel pump system for about a week now, and my fuel mileage is around 28-29 mpg, more than it’s ever been since I bought the vehicle back in November 2020. I’ve only ever had a max of 26 mpg no matter how or where I drive. I did find recalls on similar makes of cars with the same year as mine from both Kia and Hyundai, and I believe that the Kia Souls around 2020-2021 also have faulty fuel pump systems and should be recalled. I don’t know how many of them are out there, but despite only having 50k miles on my car, the bad gas diagnosis excluded it from the warranty and I had to pay out of pocket the $1,516.83 for the fuel pump system replacement and flushing of the ‘bad gas’ at the Kia dealership.
Kia Soul 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2014-10-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: KNDJX3A56E7
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: My 2014 Kia Soul ! has had 2 codes, P1326 which is related to a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) which has ties to a known Rod Bearing issue. And a P0420 code related to the Catalytic converter. There was a lawsuit which led to a Recall issued for this vehicle, however, it appears only for 1.6L engine. Mine is 2.0. Just basic online searches have discovered an overwhelming amount of other owners of 2.0 also getting the same issues with there's as well.
Kia Soul 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: KNDJN2A23F7
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Earlier last year, we had suddenly had an issue with the Kia Soul. We received a check engine light and noticed a loud clicking noise as the vehicle began accelerating and noticed the vehicle had difficulty accelrating. We left the vehicle parked and then attempted to change the battery and oil to see if either were a contributing factor. When we noticed no improvement upon turning on the car, we took the vehicle to a licensed dealership: Arapahoe Kia to check the vehicle to diagnose the issue and help determine if this was covered under warranty. On our drive (which was about 2 miles from where we had left the car, the engine seized so we had the vehicle towed there. Once we got the diag back, they told us the code but wanted service records to honor the warranty from all oil changes in all states for the past 5 years or pay full cost of vehicle. No mention was made of the prior repaired recalls or determination if the cause could have been because of the unprepared recall that clearly states the syptoms and result being the exact problem we experienced. A few months later when we received notification from a different licensed dealer we had the unrepaired recall (in automated texts and emails), we called back Arapahoe Kia who still had the car, and they again stated service records would be needed to honor the NHTSA recall and also admitted they didn’t attempt to identify if the engine issue we had was caused by the unrepaired recall, as they only looked at the code and visual inspection of oil sludge, and treated it like a warranty claim to deny and did not validate the recall as the cause. But they still have refused to actually inspect the recall concern to determine if the engine trouble was caused by it and repair it as obligated if it was. Instead they keep asking us to pay for the full engine without validating root cause under the NHTSA recall.
Kia Soul 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-21
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: KNDJX3A52G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My kia has always used a lot of oil to the point I need to top it off regularly despite getting recommended oil changes and doing recommended maintenance. Recently My engine started misfiring so I replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils, but was still having issues. Found out today that catalytic converter is main issue and needs to be replaced. Dealer is requiring I bring in to determine if a warranty will cover. Never had a check engine light but very slow acceleration that created several dangerous situations for me on the road. My professional mechanic repaired other issues/diagnosed this problem.
Kia Soul 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- VIN: KNDJ23AU6M7
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: 1.) We were driving to Nashville and once my car got around 70,000 mile my check engine light came on. Then my car started to make a humming noise. We pulled over to check the oil the oil was fine. Once we got back into the car and left the gas station the light started to blink. Yes 2.) We were on the highway, and if the engine could have blown up or we could've got stuck on the way there and back. Also, the where the car started to act up was around a bad neighborhood. 3.) Yes 4.) Yes 5.) The car started to hum but once my car hit 70,000 miles the check engine light came on and started to flash.
Kia Soul 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: KNDJN2A21G7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, failed to accelerate, and stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact pulled over and checked the oil level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the pistons were not operating correctly. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the engine. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Kia Soul 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: KNDJ33AU1P7
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Periodically while driving, I receive error notifications on the dashboard through both sound alerts and warning lights, resulting in the affected systems temporarily ceasing to function. The dashboard provides specific warnings: "check forward safety system," "check lane safety system," "check speed limit system," "check high beam assist system," and "check inattentive driving warning system." These warnings cycle through with flashing lights and ongoing alert noises. While the issue sometimes resolves after the first or second warning, it often continues cycling through all of the previously described warnings before returning to normal. On some occasions, the warning lights remain on for an extended period, with the longest observed duration being 16 minutes. There are no observable patterns to the frequency or cause of the issue, although it is occurring at least once per day now; initially ~2x/week. It happens at any time of day or night and in any weather conditions. I've scheduled service for this issue 5 separate times. The first time, the dealership advised they did not have a fix and declined to take the car into the service department. The second time, the camera was replaced, but the issue persisted. The third time I took the car in for service, it was at the dealer for a week and I was advised the issue was part of the normal functioning of the car. The fourth time, the service techs did not make an effort to observe the problem and reported that the car was working as designed. The car is now in for service again. Each time I have scheduled service, I have provided them with a video of the problem. The continuous disabling of these safety features is not only distracting but also diminishes the value of the vehicle. I rely on these systems for my safety and purchased this vehicle specifically for these features. I am concerned that this ongoing issue may desensitize me to important warning signals and compromise the overall functionality of the car.
Latest 5 recalls Kia Soul
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 31 recalls for different components of the Kia Soul.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Kia Soul 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-07
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
- Model: Kia Soul 2012
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-25
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- Model: Kia Soul 2013
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-25
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- Model: Kia Soul 2011
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-25
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- Model: Kia Soul 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-07-31
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
- Consequence: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
Latest negative Kia Soul car reviews
Latest positive Kia Soul car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2023
I have the Mars Orange colour which has a lot of red in the paint and doesn't look like a pumpkin. Although it's not a speedster, it's peppy enough and the Sport mode helps. The Apple CarPlay feature is great for streaming from an iPhone. I would have preferred the EX, but the dealer who had one was charging 10% over MSRP, which was not reasonable. I bought the cargo floor option, which elevates the rear storage and covers all the items I carry around. It also makes the cargo surface flat when folding down the rear seats. Overall, it's a nice handling vehicle at a pretty reasonable price.
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Vehicle year: 2019
This car has a unique style that has made it my favorite car ever. It is my 4th new car and hands down the one most loved. A year and a half ago, I had to rent a car and Enterprise gave me a 2018 Kia Soul. I literally fell in love with it. The great space, comfortable seats, and clear view for driving made it a wonderful experience. I bought a used Kia Soul (2014) which I had for 6 months but unfortunately lost in an accident. Now, knowing it was the only car I wanted, I bought a new 2019 Kia Soul in Inferno Red. It is the best car ever! I paid under $19K for an automatic with every convenience: A/C, power everything (windows, locks, etc.), cruise control, and steering wheel controls for radio, cruise, and driving modes. The best part was that I was able to get a $0 down loan (and I don't have the best credit). If you are looking for a nice car that comes well-equipped, you should definitely consider a Kia Soul, especially the model after 2014!
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Vehicle year: 2015
This car has excellent maneuverability and can turn on a dime. The seats also fold down for more storage, and the electronics are top-notch. Plus, it's sporty and fun to drive!
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Vehicle year: 2013
The Kia Soul is a fantastic choice among econoboxes, and it stands out from the competition. I considered the Scion XB, as I'm a fan of most things Toyota (especially the original MR2), but it was too quirky and heavy. The Honda Element has similar traits, but with worse gas mileage. The Nissan Cube is quirky too, but it's not large enough for passengers, at least not when compared to the Soul. The Cube also has poor visibility and an uncomfortable seating position. On the other hand, the Kia Soul does everything right while looking great and driving smoothly. You can opt for the 2.0-liter with a manual for a sportier ride, but I prefer the better mpg of the 1.6. It still accelerates strongly due to its low weight, but keep it out of the revs and you can return 31 mpg in Suburbia-type traffic with lots of stop and go. This is my first manual with 6+ forward gears, and the Soul really makes the most of them. The stereo with Aux in, USB for charging (or a billion songs on a thumb drive), bluetooth for phone audio or calls, great ergonomics, a huge glovebox, great visibility all around, and a very comfortable drive. I also do my own maintenance and repairs, and was blown away the first time I popped the hood. There's plenty of room for hands and wrenches. The only criticism I can imagine is that there is some road noise, but no more than my wife's very comfortable Odyssey. Some of that is likely tire noise, but you can tell that they left off some noise dampening to keep the weight and price down. It's not bad by any means, but it's the only thing I can think of that is less than ideal with the Soul, even with the base. You can find sheets of sound deadening material for sale on Ebay, and I'm planning to install them soon.This car is highly recommended. You'll be shocked if you don't have at least one Soul in your driveway 10 years from now.
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Vehicle year: 2018
I have driven several Kia Souls between 2015 and 2018 models before purchasing my own. I am absolutely loving my 2018+ model! It is surprisingly spacious for its size, handles really well, and has a very clean implementation of Apple Car Play, which is impressive for a car in this price range. Additionally, it looks great and I can easily park it in smaller spots, something that was difficult with my previous Chevy Malibu. The standard speaker system also sounds pretty great. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase so far!
Are you having problems with your Kia Soul?
Kody Goyette 2025-10-01
Vehicle year: 2014
I bought the car brand new in 2014 and absolutely loved it. It has a great amount of space and is agile to drive around. However, I did experience some difficulties driving in the snow. Unfortunately, my car started having issues with the lights (interior and exterior) at about 65k miles. From everything I've read online, this seems to be a pretty common issue that nobody has found a fix for yet. It can be incredibly dangerous when driving at night! Sometimes the headlights will just flicker, usually when using the blinkers. Now it's becoming a lot more common and I hear it just gets worse and worse. Despite this issue, I still think this car has a lot of great features and would recommend it to others with the caveat to be aware of the light issue.
Sim Schowalter 2025-09-29
Vehicle year: 2012
I would suggest considering other options before purchasing a Kia. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience with my Kia when the engine failed due to connecting rod failure, despite taking good care of the car. My local shop was unable to identify the issue, but later Kia extended the warranty of my car to 120,000 miles due to the same issue. I had already sold the car to a junk yard for $500, which was a significant loss compared to the KBB value of the car. While Kia did not offer to repair the engine, I understand that they have their policies. It is important to research and consider all options before making a purchase. Thank you for considering my experience.
Soledad Mitchell 2025-09-25
Vehicle year: 2021
I leased 3 Kia Souls over a 9-year period and saved up to make a good down payment on a purchase. Unfortunately, I experienced some issues with my car's transmission that were not mentioned to me before. This caused me to have a ruined getaway weekend and I had to wait for hours for the Kia roadside service. However, I was able to receive wonderful service from Dan Obrien Kia in Hampton NH, who even provided me with a loaner car while they replaced my broken transmission. Although the replacement transmission failed at 1560 miles, they were able to replace it again. I am now at over 6,000 miles and hoping that the third transmission will last. Overall, I would give Dan Obrien Kia 2 stars for their excellent service.
Abner Rippin 2025-09-16
Vehicle year: 2017
Until October of 2020, I had no complaints about my car except for its tendency to hydroplane. However, within an hour, everything changed. While driving, I heard a ticking sound and we pulled over to check it out. To our surprise, there was no oil in the car despite our religious oil changes. We quickly added oil, but it was too late. The car's value plummeted from $11,000 to $500. Although the warranty was for 60,000 miles, the car had just over 69,000 miles. It turns out that this is a common issue with Kia Souls. There is manufacturing debris (FOD) that gets caught in the oil line and clogs it, causing the engine to fail. Unfortunately, I had to take out a hefty loan to purchase another Kia, which I do not trust. I urge you to do your research before investing your hard-earned money into a Kia Soul or any Kia for that matter. At this point, I am worried about the reliability of any Kia.
Cornelius Fritsch 2025-09-09
Vehicle year: 2023
The headlights on the LX model are inadequate and do not provide sufficient illumination for night driving. Despite attempts to improve the brightness, the range is still limited and switching to high beam is equally ineffective. Additionally, the dashboard lights reflect off the side windows, causing further visibility issues. These concerns have led me to consider purchasing a new car that can provide better safety features for night driving.