SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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.

About this comparison →
271Owner complaints

Model-year median: 225

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
897
2014897
2015810
2016271
2017218
2018136
2019378
2020
Compare all Soul years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
190Unknown Or Other
32Electrical System
19Power Train
19Fuel/propulsion System
18
All reported categories
Air Bags
16Service Brakes
12Steering
10Engine And Engine Cooling
9Vehicle Speed Control
8Structure
4Suspension
4Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Tires
2Wheels
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seats
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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, Hydraulic complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
74,000 miles · May 9, 2023
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there was a continual clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle while making a left or right turn. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed,…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there was a continual clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle while making a left or right turn. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that after the brake pedal was released, the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #11521109

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

This is the second time I have had to have the traction and ABS sensors go bad. The first time it was fixed under warranty, this time I'm being told I have to pay $400 for a $37 part. This is a safety issue as I do not have ABS and traction control at all. You need that in Florida when it rains...every day. This needs to be fixe…

Read full complaint

This is the second time I have had to have the traction and ABS sensors go bad. The first time it was fixed under warranty, this time I'm being told I have to pay $400 for a $37 part. This is a safety issue as I do not have ABS and traction control at all. You need that in Florida when it rains...every day. This needs to be fixed under warranty, no excuses. This is a safety hazard, and if something like this doesn't get fixed, it opens lawsuits for Kia. I suggest that this be corrected under warranty or I will seek legal counsel.

NHTSA ODI #11426087

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.