Kia Soul years to avoid (and the best years)
5,525 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 5,525complaints
- 15recalls
- 266reported crashes
- 323reported fires
- 261reported injuries
- 18reported deaths
Which Kia Soul years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Kia Soul years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016, 2013, 2012 and 2020. The typical Kia Soul year has 225 complaints on file.
- 2014: 898 complaints, 4.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (66% of complaints) and the exterior lighting (14% of complaints).
- 2015: 897 complaints, 4.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (73% of complaints) and the fuel system (9% of complaints).
- 2016: 811 complaints, 3.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (75% of complaints) and the fuel system (10% of complaints).
- 2013: 662 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (46% of complaints) and the steering (23% of complaints).
- 2012: 514 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (43% of complaints) and the steering (32% of complaints).
- 2020: 378 complaints, including 8 reports of a death. Most complaints name the engine (64% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (24% of complaints).
What are the best Kia Soul years?
The Kia Soul years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (136) and 2021 (232). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 0.1× | 0 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Exterior lighting |
| 2024 | 29 | 0.1× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 50 | 0.2× | 4 | 5 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2022 | 88 | 0.4× | 1 | 4 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2021 | 232 | 1.0× | 2 | 12 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 378 | 1.7× | 1 | 9 | 6 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2019 | 136 | 0.6× | 1 | 11 | 12 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 218 | 1.0× | 1 | 14 | 12 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 271 | 1.2× | 1 | 17 | 19 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2016 | 811 | 3.6× | 2 | 28 | 25 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 897 | 4.0× | 4 | 34 | 32 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2014 | 898 | 4.0× | 5 | 33 | 28 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 662 | 2.9× | 3 | 22 | 25 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2012 | 514 | 2.3× | 3 | 25 | 25 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2011 | 194 | 0.9× | 3 | 27 | 29 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2010 | 135 | 0.6× | 3 | 23 | 19 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,135 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain649 (57%)
- Electrical & infotainment146 (13%)
- Brakes76 (7%)
- Steering, suspension & tires70 (6%)
- Other systems70 (6%)
Recalls (15)
Engine · 25V099000 · Feb 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Airbags · 23V830000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2023
An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Brakes · 23V652000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 23V531000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Electrical system · 23V298000 · Apr 2023 · model year 2023
A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V096000 · Feb 2022 · model year 2014
Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Airbags · 22V031000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 21V259000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 20V750000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V120000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Steering · 17V608000 · Sep 2017 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V123000 · Mar 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 14V822000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V114000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 10V388000 · Aug 2010 · model year 2010
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.