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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

Service Brakes complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2025
Service BrakesCrashInjury

2017,Kia soul plus brakes failed with no warning and we crashed into an intersection and hit a dump truck. I suffered severe broken bones including a compound femur fracture and broken arm. I was trapped in the car for over a hour. Both my arm and leg have rods and pins now. I also suffer from severe ptsd and nightmares. I hosp…

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2017,Kia soul plus brakes failed with no warning and we crashed into an intersection and hit a dump truck. I suffered severe broken bones including a compound femur fracture and broken arm. I was trapped in the car for over a hour. Both my arm and leg have rods and pins now. I also suffer from severe ptsd and nightmares. I hospitalized from 6/25-7/4, and in a nursing home until 7/4-8/1, learning to walk again. I received the voluntary recall letter on 7/11when I was in the nursing home. It was sent too little too late. I’m contacting an attorney and Kia deserves to pay. Kozlowski towing took the care away. I do not know if they still have it

NHTSA ODI #11677994

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

While sitting in line with brake applied the idle speed suddenly jumped up and car accelerated forward despite application of brakes. Without any change from me the RPMs suddenly dropped and car stopped again. The car moved a total of a quarter car length, which had I not been angled away from car in front of me would have c…

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While sitting in line with brake applied the idle speed suddenly jumped up and car accelerated forward despite application of brakes. Without any change from me the RPMs suddenly dropped and car stopped again. The car moved a total of a quarter car length, which had I not been angled away from car in front of me would have caused a collision, and had I been at an intersection could have caused an accident or struck a pedestrian.

NHTSA ODI #11507744

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2022
Service BrakesSuspension

My struts we’re going through my dash board and I had it repaired and my engine light is just constantly on.

NHTSA ODI #11485618

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane …

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I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane to the left of me, and behind me. I had both of my hands on the steering wheel the entire time. I, of course, took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brakes. The brakes were not stopping the car. The car took off and was uncontrollable. I hit the car in the lane to my left, traveled across the same lane, then luckily ran up a curb and onto a median that had grass on it. The car was out of control and moving swiftly. I steered it to the right and off the median (which avoided hitting oncoming traffic head-on). The brakes were not stopping the car. I heard and felt that the car was hitting things: the car to my left, the median, etc.) I think the car may have spun 360 degrees, one complete revolution, and then jumped the curb and went up onto the median again. Again, I steered to the right to avoid crossing the median. The car then spun 180 degrees, and stopped perfectly facing south in the left northbound lane. (I thought I had gone up the median two times; however, maybe it was only once, as my passenger thought. I don't know if it was once or two times up the curb and onto the median. It all happened so fast.) Car was towed away. What failed: the car wildly took off, veering to the left; the brakes didn't stop the car Risk: the car was uncontrollable (except steering somewhat) and moving; if not for the curb and wide median, I would have traveled head-on into oncoming traffic; the car spun as if spinning on ice Reproduced: the car has not been touched; there is a consumer affairs case open with its manufacturer Inspected: by my insurance appraiser, at the dealership Warning: none, was a shocking surprise

NHTSA ODI #11468560

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

My air bag, ABS and Brake Lights all gave warnings at about the same time, as well as my speedometer going "haywire" on a cold start. I got a recall notice about my airbag (electrical problems) and took it in to Parkway Kia, and was told that the airbag was not part of the recall, and that it would cost $1000 to repair the ligh…

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My air bag, ABS and Brake Lights all gave warnings at about the same time, as well as my speedometer going "haywire" on a cold start. I got a recall notice about my airbag (electrical problems) and took it in to Parkway Kia, and was told that the airbag was not part of the recall, and that it would cost $1000 to repair the lights, as several different sensors had gone out at the same time. Included was 5 or 6 repairs that had already been verified that I didn't need. If the dealership is using recall opportunities to push $1000s of unnecessary "maintenance" repairs on their vehicles, no one is going to trust those recalls and this is creating an unsafe driving environment for everyone. I contacted Kia corporate and they stated each shop is "independently owned and operated" and "repairs can be declined." Kia is making a farce of this process and using your agency to perpetuate fraud.

NHTSA ODI #11462240

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

Despite 22V031000 being repaired, the car randomly displays the following warnings, tire pressure, traction control, abs brake failure, check engine, power steering. The speedometer and tachometer cease to function at this point and power steering assistance becomes disabled. Balise Kia service manager Gary Lindsay states the …

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Despite 22V031000 being repaired, the car randomly displays the following warnings, tire pressure, traction control, abs brake failure, check engine, power steering. The speedometer and tachometer cease to function at this point and power steering assistance becomes disabled. Balise Kia service manager Gary Lindsay states the car is safe to drive in this condition and has sent me home twice while waiting for parts. After the second attempt the issue remains.

NHTSA ODI #11460161

50,133 miles · Aug 5, 2021
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that her foot was taken off the brake pedal and that she had to repeatedly pump on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the brake pedal …

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that her foot was taken off the brake pedal and that she had to repeatedly pump on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and there was a delay with stopping the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,133.

NHTSA ODI #11427879

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

53,000 miles · Aug 9, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, THE BRAKES NEVER TOOK EFFECT TO MAKE ME SLIDE SKID OR STOP. SEATBEAT NEVER HELD ME BACK FROM SLAMMING INTO STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #11242840

9,100 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Service BrakesCrash

ON FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018, ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC BEGAN TO SLOW AND AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY FELT AS THOUGH THEY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP, I WAS UNABLE TO AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A NON-KIA DEALER VIA MY INSURANCE. WITHIN TWO DAYS OF ME HAVING THE VEH…

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ON FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018, ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC BEGAN TO SLOW AND AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY FELT AS THOUGH THEY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP, I WAS UNABLE TO AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A NON-KIA DEALER VIA MY INSURANCE. WITHIN TWO DAYS OF ME HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK IN MY POSSESSION, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME WHILE COMING TO A SLOW GRADUAL STOP AT A LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, PRICE KIA, TO REPORT THE CONCERN. AFTER MULTIPLE TEST DRIVES, THEY FELT THE BRAKES TRAVELING TOO FAR AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITH THE CLAIM THAT THIS COULD BE THE "ONLY POSSIBLE CAUSE." OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE; IT HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. PRICE KIA NOW CLAIMS THE ISSUE ISN'T RELOCATABLE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SHOULD FURTHER DOCUMENTATION BE NEEDED THE WORK ORDERS, ACCIDENT REPORT, AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION CAN BE PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11121001

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.