NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Soul

Data refreshed September 6, 2026

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

Complaints

5,495

Active records

Recalls

15

Active records

TSBs

534

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

261

Crashes

266

Fires

322

Top reported issues — Kia Soul

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

1,715

Reporting mechanism

1,477

Noise

1,417

Engine behavior

1,366

Condition issue

1,282

Fluid issue

1,203

Performance issue

1,141

Thermal issue

710

Vibration/harshness

359

Lighting behavior

332

Steering behavior

268

Safety restraint issue

245

Electrical issue

209

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

207

Safety restraint behavior

182

Starting behavior

182

Braking behavior

169

Smell

160

Driver assistance issue

155

Powering on/off behavior

112

Recent change

106

Access/entry issue

66

Ride/handling behavior

56

Infotainment behavior

45

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.

2015 KIA SOUL

Filed Sep 2, 2026


Fire

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the exhaust, with an abnormally loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle and became aware that there was a line of fire on the main road leading to the bottom of the vehicle. The contact stated that a week prior to the failure, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from inside the…

2016 KIA SOUL

Filed Sep 1, 2026


My white paint is bubbling off and peeling down to the metal and it is all over and continues to do so more and more everyday. I am afraid to wash it for fear of having it all come off. It looks terrible and will really look ugly and value comes down quick enough on these cars as it is. It needs to be fixed or something. Can a lemon law be done on the manufacture or something? I still owe on this car and it will be really ugly in a month or so. Something needs to be done about these cars.

2014 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 31, 2026


The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000

2014 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 29, 2026


l have a 2014 grey Kia soul with engine problems engine recall. The car has stopped multiple times. The KSDS is already installed since my Kia in limp mode can’t got past 40mph. Its engine recall P1326 knock sensor rod bearing engine recall. Everything on car is up to date oil change last month and all other car parts. Smoke come inside car and outside my 2014 Kia soul making very very dangerous to drive. Its safety issue because of my Kia engine recall. Please please need Kia to…

2014 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 27, 2026


Writing to get some relief and a recall for my expenses due to a failed catalytic converter. The same issue was reported and recalled on the 1.6l engine in 2019. 19V120.Mine is 2014 kia soul 2.0l engine. I am showing multiple other reports on this site which had the same issues as well. 11736089 and 1700997. Catalytic converter failure. No codes. Sluggish acceleration, rotten egg smell, high fuel consumption and oil consumption. When merging onto highway, engine redesign to between 3-4000 reps…

2011 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 27, 2026


The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated, indicating that the airbag system was inoperative. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. A certified letter was sent to the manufacturer, requesting a goodwill refund; however, the request was denied due to the lack of recall coverage for the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 167,492.

2016 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 26, 2026


My vehicle won't pass emissions test the SC176 CATYLIC CONVERTER I've exceeded the 3 per year Temporary tags and my vehicle is a recall due to no pass emissions test . My temporary tags are expired and I got a ticket

2020 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 26, 2026


Back in 2021 there was a safety recall for the engine burning oil and having a high risk of catching fire. I leased this car from the Kia dealership in Asheville, NC and was guaranteed that the issue was not with this car. Here I am a year later and I have to basically put oil into the car at least every two weeks because the engine is burning the oil so fast and the car is basically running terribly. I have made multiple complaints to a bunch of mechanics including the dealership where they…

2023 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 24, 2026


2023 Kia soul purchased brand new. Vehicle does not display speedometer, blinkers don't work, reverse camera doesn't work, nothing displays on dash, continuous alarm sound while vehicle is on. Having no indication of speed traveling or ability to signal turns is a safety concern. failure at approximately 1 year after purchase. Has been in the dealership for repair multiple times without success. Currently been at the dealership for 10 months with no offer of a loaner vehicle and refusal to…

2010 KIA SOUL

Filed Aug 24, 2026


1 injured
Crash

The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt didn't lock and at the moment it is available to be inspected. My seat belt didn't lock so it is probably why my back fractured. I don't know if the problem has ever been reproduced or confirmed. To my knowledge no one has inspected the car. There was no warning signs or lights that came on. Apparently the air bags only deploy with front or rear impact not rollovers and the seat belts don't lock either but how does a 2001 Saturn seat belts lock in a…

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

Updated September 6, 2026. Refreshed nightly.