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2017 Kia Soul

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 225.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 154 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 190 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports14 fire reports13 injury reports

Engine complaints

190 reports
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97 miles · Jan 22, 2021
Engine

GOT THE OIL CHANGED IN OCTOBER. WAS HEADING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY & WAS GOING UP A HILL THEN THE CAR STARTED ACTING UP. LOOKED BACK IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR & SAW SMOKE. PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED & OIL WAS EVERYWHERE. LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AFTER IT COOLED OFF & THE WAS A HOLE IN THE MOT…

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GOT THE OIL CHANGED IN OCTOBER. WAS HEADING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY & WAS GOING UP A HILL THEN THE CAR STARTED ACTING UP. LOOKED BACK IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR & SAW SMOKE. PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED & OIL WAS EVERYWHERE. LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AFTER IT COOLED OFF & THE WAS A HOLE IN THE MOTOR. A ROD SHOT THROUGH. THE CAR HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE READ OTHER REVIEWS ABOUT KIA SOULS HAVING RECALLS WITH THE ENGINES & IF I WOULD OF KNOWN THAT WE WOULDN'T OF BOUGHT A KIA SOUL BECAUSE OUR DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO HELP US FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11389492

82,000 miles · Jan 13, 2021
EnginePower Train

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION ALERTED WHILE DRIVING. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED FOR AN EVALUATION. OIL WAS FULL BUT ENGINE FAILURE WAS DETECTED. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO KNOCKING OR STALLING OF ENGINE. CAR STILL RUNS BUT I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN FEAR OF CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. NOW OUT OF A CAR AND STILL OWE $8500 ON THE LOAN.…

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LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION ALERTED WHILE DRIVING. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED FOR AN EVALUATION. OIL WAS FULL BUT ENGINE FAILURE WAS DETECTED. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO KNOCKING OR STALLING OF ENGINE. CAR STILL RUNS BUT I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN FEAR OF CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. NOW OUT OF A CAR AND STILL OWE $8500 ON THE LOAN. 82,000 MILES ON CAR. OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE I'M THE SECOND OWNER. KIA SERVICE CENTER REPS LAUGHED AT ME. INFURIATING SITUATION. WAS TOLD MY OPTIONS WERE 'FIX IT OR DON'T' THANKS KIA.

NHTSA ODI #11387891

94,500 miles · Jan 12, 2021
Engine

IT WAS TIME FOR MY SECOND 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE ON AN ENGINE REPLACED IN JULY 2020. I GO IN, AND THEY TELL ME I NEED A DIAGNOSTIC DUE TO OIL ALL OVER THE UNDER CARRIAGE. I REFUSE BECAUSE THIS ENGINE HAS A WARRANTY AND IS 6 MOS. OLD. THEY CHANGE THE OIL, INJECT DYE INTO IT AND TELL ME TO COME BACK IN 500 MILES. I GO BACK ON TUESD…

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IT WAS TIME FOR MY SECOND 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE ON AN ENGINE REPLACED IN JULY 2020. I GO IN, AND THEY TELL ME I NEED A DIAGNOSTIC DUE TO OIL ALL OVER THE UNDER CARRIAGE. I REFUSE BECAUSE THIS ENGINE HAS A WARRANTY AND IS 6 MOS. OLD. THEY CHANGE THE OIL, INJECT DYE INTO IT AND TELL ME TO COME BACK IN 500 MILES. I GO BACK ON TUESDAY AND THEY TELL ME THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS DRY ROTTED AND LEAKING OIL AND IT WILL BE 400.00. WHY WAS IT NOT CHANGED? I STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE NEVER HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR LOW OIL LIGHT COME ON. WHY WON'T KIA STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS? WHY WON'T YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

NHTSA ODI #11387664

97,528 miles · Dec 18, 2020
Engine

WHEN CRANKING MY VEHICLE ON MONDAY EVENING, 12/14, APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I NOTICED A NOISE AFTER INITIAL STARTUP THAT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN YOU PUT A CARD OR A SODA CAN ON THE TIRE OF YOUR BIKE. THE NOISE DIDN'T CONTINUE SO I DROVE IT HOME, APPROXIMATELY 17 MILES FROM WHERE IT WAS PARKED INITIALLY. I DIDN'T HEAR IT ON THE…

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WHEN CRANKING MY VEHICLE ON MONDAY EVENING, 12/14, APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I NOTICED A NOISE AFTER INITIAL STARTUP THAT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN YOU PUT A CARD OR A SODA CAN ON THE TIRE OF YOUR BIKE. THE NOISE DIDN'T CONTINUE SO I DROVE IT HOME, APPROXIMATELY 17 MILES FROM WHERE IT WAS PARKED INITIALLY. I DIDN'T HEAR IT ON THE DRIVE HOME, UNTIL I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW SLIGHTLY AS I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, AND IT WAS MAKING THE SAME TICKING NOISE, BUT MUCH LOUDER, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FIANCE, AND WHEN I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY HE IMMEDIATELY REQUESTED I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. PULLED THE OIL STICK, AND NOTED THAT IT WAS ALMOST BONE DRY. WHICH IS CRAZY BECAUSE WE PERFORM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR, AS IT'S THE DAILY DRIVER FOR MY 7 YEAR OLD AND MYSELF. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS ROUGHLY END OF SEPTEMBER. HE PUT OIL IN IT, AND HOPED IT WOULD STOP THE NOISE, BUT IT DIDN'T. AFTER HAVING IT EVALUATED, WE'RE TOLD IT WILL NEED A NEW MOTOR. I CALLED KIA, AND EVEN THOUGH THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS 2012-16 ALL HAVE THESE SAME EXACT ISSUES, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE MOTOR, SINCE THERE ISN'T A RECALL ISSUED FOR MY YEAR MODEL YET. THIS IS SO CONCERNING, AS MY CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, AND IT HAS BEEN TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF.

NHTSA ODI #11384121

92,000 miles · Dec 15, 2020
Engine

I WAS TOLD THE CLICKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT IN 1 YR AND 9 MONTHS LATER BECAUSE MECHANIC SAID IT IS NOT NORMAL. THEY DIAGNOSED MY CAR , SAID I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE

NHTSA ODI #11383468

74,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Engine

WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A POPPING SOUND -- THINKING THAT I ROLLED OVER SOMETHING WITH MY TIRE BUT THAT'S NOT IT THEN MY CAR STARTS SMOKING IN THE FRONT AND MY WINDSHIELD GETS FOGGED UP I USE THE DEFROSTER TO TRY TO CLEAR MY WINDOW BUT THE SMOKE KEEPS COMING UP FROM THE FRONT . THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME DRIVING, PARKING, HIGHWAY, CITY ST…

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WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A POPPING SOUND -- THINKING THAT I ROLLED OVER SOMETHING WITH MY TIRE BUT THAT'S NOT IT THEN MY CAR STARTS SMOKING IN THE FRONT AND MY WINDSHIELD GETS FOGGED UP I USE THE DEFROSTER TO TRY TO CLEAR MY WINDOW BUT THE SMOKE KEEPS COMING UP FROM THE FRONT . THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME DRIVING, PARKING, HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS OR JUST SITTING AT A LIGHT AND I PARK IN THE GARAGE I DON'T PARK ON THE STREET. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I ALREADY HAD THE PURGE VALVE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11378360

120,000 miles · Nov 9, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VIBRATED, ABNORMALLY, MISFIRED WHILE IDLING DUE TO A LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND COMBUSTION. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND RETRIEVED TROUBLE CODE: P0242 (CATALYST LOW EFFICIENCY BELOW EFFICIENCY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF EAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VIBRATED, ABNORMALLY, MISFIRED WHILE IDLING DUE TO A LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND COMBUSTION. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND RETRIEVED TROUBLE CODE: P0242 (CATALYST LOW EFFICIENCY BELOW EFFICIENCY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF EAST SYRACUSE (6717 MANILUS CENTER ROAD, EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057, (315)701-5898) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS LOSS OF COMPRESSION ON CYLINDER #3. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11373856

113,000 miles · Nov 9, 2020
Engine

WHILE AT WORK, DRIVING, AND IN ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE WOULD START KNOCKING. ON MY WAY HOME, THE KNOCKING GOT LOUDER. HALF WAY HOME, THE ENGINE STALLED OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE THROUGH EN EXIT RAMP TO STOP ON A SERVICE ROAD. FLUID WAS FOUND LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HAVING PUT THE VEHICLE…

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WHILE AT WORK, DRIVING, AND IN ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE WOULD START KNOCKING. ON MY WAY HOME, THE KNOCKING GOT LOUDER. HALF WAY HOME, THE ENGINE STALLED OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE THROUGH EN EXIT RAMP TO STOP ON A SERVICE ROAD. FLUID WAS FOUND LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HAVING PUT THE VEHICLE IN A SERVICE SHOP, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ROD BLEW A HOLE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. SAID IT WAS MORE LIKELY FROM THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, BUT WOULD NOT BE OFFICIALLY CERTAIN. MECHANIC LATER PULLED ME ASIDE AND INFORMED ME THAT KIA HAD BEEN HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR ENGINES BLOWING. HE ALSO ADVISED ME THERE WAS A RECALL SITUATION GOING ON, BUT COULDN'T BE CERTAIN WHETHER MY VEHICLE WAS OR WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THAT.

NHTSA ODI #11373784

68,000 miles · Oct 24, 2020
Engine

MY SON BOUGHT A 2017 KIA SOUL LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH ABOUT 57,000 MILES. ON TUESDAY OCT 11, 2020 THE CAR KEPT STALLING WHEN DRIVING AND THEN WOULDN'T START. ALSO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT KEPT FLASHING SO HE CHECKED THE OIL. HE HAD THE OIL PREVIOUSLY CHANGED ON AUG 29, 2020. THE DIPSTICK CAME UP EMPTY. HE ADDED OIL AND WHEN HE …

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MY SON BOUGHT A 2017 KIA SOUL LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH ABOUT 57,000 MILES. ON TUESDAY OCT 11, 2020 THE CAR KEPT STALLING WHEN DRIVING AND THEN WOULDN'T START. ALSO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT KEPT FLASHING SO HE CHECKED THE OIL. HE HAD THE OIL PREVIOUSLY CHANGED ON AUG 29, 2020. THE DIPSTICK CAME UP EMPTY. HE ADDED OIL AND WHEN HE DROVE IT TO FIRESTONE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED EVERY TIME THE CAR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. FIRESTONE FIRST SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. HE LEFT THERE ONLY TO FIND IT DOING THE SAME THING. IT STALLED WHEN HE WAS MAKING A TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD. HE TOOK IT BACK TO FIRESTONE WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC FINALLY SAID IT WAS A BAD OIL PUMP. THEY SUGGESTED TO HIM TO TAKE IT TO KIA BECAUSE IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. FORD/KIA SAID THE ENGINE IS BLOWN AND IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE HE IS THE SECOND OWNER. THE WARRANTY FOR THE SECOND OWNER ENDS AT 60,000 MILES AND THIS CAR NOW HAS 68,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11366181

19,990 miles · Oct 6, 2020
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT STEERS SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD,IT BOUNCES,HARD TO CONTROL,IT LOSES POWER IN 3RD GEAR,THE BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL AT ALL,ENGINE PINGS LOUDLY CONSTANTLY.I TOOK MY CAR TO CARFAX IN MODESTO CALIFORNIA WHOM I PURCHASED FROM AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG,TH S IR LIEING,LIVING, CAR WAS WRECKED AND PAINTED OVE…

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MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT STEERS SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD,IT BOUNCES,HARD TO CONTROL,IT LOSES POWER IN 3RD GEAR,THE BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL AT ALL,ENGINE PINGS LOUDLY CONSTANTLY.I TOOK MY CAR TO CARFAX IN MODESTO CALIFORNIA WHOM I PURCHASED FROM AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG,TH S IR LIEING,LIVING, CAR WAS WRECKED AND PAINTED OVER ,ITS FULL OF OVER SPRAY,THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE,I WANT IT REPLACED WITH A NEW KIASOUL

NHTSA ODI #11362960

Official recalls

1

22V031000 · Air Bags

Jan 25, 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.