NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Soul

Data refreshed October 25, 2026

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

Complaints

5,579

Active records

Recalls

17

Active records

TSBs

497

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

263

Crashes

269

Fires

325

Top reported issues — Kia Soul

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

1,733

Condition issue

1,561

Engine behavior

1,551

Reporting mechanism

1,493

Noise

1,424

Performance issue

1,287

Fluid issue

1,235

Thermal issue

725

Vibration/harshness

372

Lighting behavior

335

Steering behavior

284

Safety restraint issue

248

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

235

Braking behavior

196

Starting behavior

195

Safety restraint behavior

181

Electrical issue

173

Smell

168

Driver assistance issue

161

Powering on/off behavior

118

Recent change

104

Access/entry issue

69

Ride/handling behavior

65

Infotainment behavior

52

HVAC behavior

22

Electrified system issue

14

Wiper/washer behavior

12

Communication/network issue

9

Charging behavior

4

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 22, 2026


Reason for Dispute & Desired Resolution: I am filing an executive escalation regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2020 Kia Soul, which is actively included in the Piston Oil Ring Safety Recall (Campaign SC209). The engine suffered a total structural failure where a rod broke and punctured a hole directly through the engine oil pan. The vehicle is completely undrivable and presents an environmental hazard due to active fluid leakage. Standard Kia Customer Care and Roadside Support lines…

2012 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 22, 2026


2012 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI (VIN: [XXX]). Case #[XXX]. Safety Hazard Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden engine stalling event at highway speeds and repeatedly dropped into a restricted Limp Mode due to a recurring P1326 diagnostic code. This code is explicitly tied to Kia's Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) monitoring structural connecting rod bearing failure. The sudden loss of engine RPMs and throttle response created a severe traffic hazard, leaving me without power steering or…

2022 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 21, 2026


The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the engine was not replaced under the recall. While the contact's wife was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering. The vehicle later lost motive power while the contact was driving. Upon inspection, the contact discovered there was no engine oil inside the engine. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's and diagnosed with…

2019 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 19, 2026


Engine seized while driving with no warning. Dealer has submitted findings to kia corporate techline for powertrain warranty claim which is requesting a $700 engine teardown at my expense

2013 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 19, 2026


There are multiple recalls, including total engine failure recall, Kia is refusing to have it towed or reimburse for tow to dealership to fix recalls. I’ve attempted through local dealership and through Kia care corporate. There have been at least 6+ recalls, 3 of which are “urgent”, Kia has failed to repair ANY of them. I’ve already had to pay to have this vehicle towed twice when the engine failure occurred and again when I moved.

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 19, 2026


The car stalled at red light. After a few minutes cranked back up.

2015 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 18, 2026


RECALL SC176 INCOMPLETE- WHILE DRIVING IN AN UNINCORPERATED AREA IN [XXX] ([XXX] IN [XXX] COUNTY) THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER AND DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP ON A DANGEROUS CURVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THE CRUVE WAS SITUATED IN SUCH A MANOR THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO TRY TO PUSH IT INTO THE SIDE AS IT WAS A STEEP DITCH LEAVING THE VHICLE COMPLETELY DISABLED IN THE COMPLETE DARK. EVEN WITH THE FLASHERS ON OTHER MOTORISTS INCLUDING…

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 15, 2026


On [XXX], my 2020 Kia Soul (2.0L Nu MPI, VIN [XXX], approximately 102,420 miles) suffered total engine failure: complete loss of motive power, stalled and would not restart. This is the exact defect covered by federal recall 21V259000 / Kia SC209 (piston oil rings causing engine damage and stalling). The SC209 recall remedy had already been performed on this vehicle at Kia of Daphne (Daphne, AL) in June 2026. The recall did not prevent the failure. Symptom history matches the defect: the…

2022 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 15, 2026


My 2022 Kia Soul was previously serviced under Safety Recall SC336 (NHTSA Campaign 25V099000), and the dealership only uploaded the monitoring software. The safety recall remedy has now completely failed. The software's warning triggers are active: the oil light is flashing, the check engine light is flashing, and the engine is vibrating violently and failing to run. The manufacturer's remedy did not fix the physical defect, and the car is now dangerously disabled. IVOQ N N N N …

2021 KIA SOUL

Filed Oct 15, 2026


My kia's soul was part of a major safety recall for oil piston ring. The reason it's not showing on a recall list is because they claim to have fixed the issue. And it was removed. The issue is still persistent, and now the car has suffered catastrophic engine failure due to this recall issue. Kia corporate is refusing to rectify.

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

Updated October 25, 2026. Refreshed nightly.