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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2026
Unknown Or Other

The paint is continuing to peel off and its getting worse. When I called Kia they said it is not covered. Apparently this is a manufacturing defect. I would really like this to be corrected if possible. T;hank you, Gail LeBrun

NHTSA ODI #11730421

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2026
Unknown Or Other

Owner of 2017 White Kia Soul that has peeling paint. I've never owned a vehicle that paint peeled like this. I understand there are other owners with the same issue. This issue first started in May 2025 on driver's side near roof that I paid out of my pocket to repair. Now I have same issue on the passenger side. Very disappo…

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Owner of 2017 White Kia Soul that has peeling paint. I've never owned a vehicle that paint peeled like this. I understand there are other owners with the same issue. This issue first started in May 2025 on driver's side near roof that I paid out of my pocket to repair. Now I have same issue on the passenger side. Very disappointed 😞

NHTSA ODI #11709022

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I have a white 2017 Kia Soul. I bought it new in 2017. The paint is peeling off really badly. Something is not right. This is not wear and tear paint peeling it is massive all around the car, especially the hood. The whole hood is peeling. My friend has an old 2011 Kia and his paint is fine. Please help

NHTSA ODI #11703329

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2025
Unknown Or Other

The car lurches/judders upon startup and at low speeds. It has been serviced eight times for this issue by two authorized Kia dealers with no resolve.

NHTSA ODI #11700034

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2025
Unknown Or Other

My car is losing oil and the light does not come on to tell me when oil runs low I have been to Coral Springs Kia in the Coral Springs automall many times and they have all my records.

NHTSA ODI #11672193

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Am receiving a code for camshaft sensor bank 1 sensor a. Figured it could be timing but also know about TSB’s. Need to see if there are any posted for my specific 2017 Kia Soul.

NHTSA ODI #11656640

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I have wasted too much time and my own $ for my local KIA to dismiss their on going re-appointments and months of different service technicians to not have them reacting to an engine light to never retry something not done right. Now, they have my 2017 KiA Soul+ wrongly listed as no recalls remaining. I am trying to be as proa…

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I have wasted too much time and my own $ for my local KIA to dismiss their on going re-appointments and months of different service technicians to not have them reacting to an engine light to never retry something not done right. Now, they have my 2017 KiA Soul+ wrongly listed as no recalls remaining. I am trying to be as proactive and not lose my Kia or several more months of covering the Killeen, Tx Dennis Eakin KIA’s rear to quietly avoid redoing more recall call backs they need to finish. So now your national government database shows my Kia doesn’t have the P0420 catalyst and O2 sensor listed. —-I did my part for Killeen KiA and paid my $ to prove to them the check light kept coming back on after they turned it off in early 2022. The gas mileage is horrible. I’m a handicap driver on fixed income, but no stranger auto warns. After a couple recall, full engine replacement attempts. Since my local KIA services, have re-called their own and also factory mechanical repairs. Both myself and Kia have basically had custody of my 2017 KIA. The last attempt they took back my now 2nd reshaped/fresh block from the first ever KIA recall that blew the piston the first few months I invested into this KIA. Every attempt to fix the next following recalls or unfinished work, I was told about late 2021 locally “if I can bring KIA a code of the engine light”(they temporarily hid) Then maybe they would go back and fix it or recall what needs to be fixed. I paid a mechanic after 3 attempts since 2021 of barely getting to drive my KIA. The code is P0420 I already have enough basic vehicle knowledge, to understand it was exhaust system stalling me (and the suspension) ( hack hydraulic also stopped functioning) I do love my KIA and do not want to start ideas of revamping my interest to Dodge or Chevy yet. I just want the recall for the catalyst/O2 and thermostat issue done or redone if my local KIA attempted to check off the P0420 recall before my engine fails again.

NHTSA ODI #11618273

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Multiple stations failed emission inspection in texas for fuel not completed and evap not completed. Tried multiple things to fix. Took it to shop that kept for days and diagnosed with logic lock with the ecm/ecu. Basically bad ecm which is common problem with kia soul and there are recall for models older than 2016. Moritz …

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Multiple stations failed emission inspection in texas for fuel not completed and evap not completed. Tried multiple things to fix. Took it to shop that kept for days and diagnosed with logic lock with the ecm/ecu. Basically bad ecm which is common problem with kia soul and there are recall for models older than 2016. Moritz kia kept for 17 days and said they could not figure out issue but ordered new ecm. I contacted DPS and got steps to get waiver because it could take weeks to get part. Asked kia to inspect again since two failed inspections required for waiver. Some how it passed inspection with the same two not completed emissions. In texas vehicles newer than 2001 are allowed only one not ready. Kia said they would not replace ecm since it passed inspection. Appears they are trying to not fix known issue. Concern is if a real issue with car happens the ecm will not update with error since it has logic lock. There are lots of reports of issues with the ecm and kia not honoring warranty. The ecm is covered for 8 years 80k and the car has 7 years 70k now. It appears they are just trying to delay fixing issue. If battery is pulled, obd code reset, or ecm pulled out none of the codes reset like they should.

NHTSA ODI #11617617

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

Car burns through oil like no other. I won’t even be half way through my 3000 miles and with no warning the car will be low on oil and stalling in the middle of Turning. Usually when turning left. Mechanic says there isn’t an issue. But no car should be made to burn oil excessively. I can’t even make it the regular 3000 miles. E…

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Car burns through oil like no other. I won’t even be half way through my 3000 miles and with no warning the car will be low on oil and stalling in the middle of Turning. Usually when turning left. Mechanic says there isn’t an issue. But no car should be made to burn oil excessively. I can’t even make it the regular 3000 miles. Engine light has come on multiple times. Now replorting catalytic converter issue assuming that’s related to the excessive rate of oil burning.

NHTSA ODI #11559699

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2023
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

The car engine made a clamoring noise and sudden seized up and stopped in the middle of traffic. The hood started smoking and a good Samaritan passed by and alerted me to get out of car. I did and noticed puddle of liquid was in flames and soon the front of the car was also in flames.

NHTSA ODI #11528205

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.