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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

What owners actually said

271 reports
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,…

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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

130,000 miles · Apr 26, 2023
EngineFire

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound inside the vehicle then the vehicle started to decelerate without warning. The contact then stated that other drivers on the road alerted the contact’s friend that a fire had ignited undernea…

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound inside the vehicle then the vehicle started to decelerate without warning. The contact then stated that other drivers on the road alerted the contact’s friend that a fire had ignited underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s friend was able to pull the vehicle off the road and exit the vehicle. The local authorities were notified and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot where the technician diagnosed the vehicle that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11519124

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2023
Engine

First, on January 13, 2023, my 2017 Kia Soul leaked all but 1/4qt. oil while parked in a lot for about 30 minutes. There was no indication of an issue prior to the event. I just happened to see the puddle while walking to my car. On this date I had 64,100miles on the car. I was stranded in a parking lot 3 hours from home for ove…

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First, on January 13, 2023, my 2017 Kia Soul leaked all but 1/4qt. oil while parked in a lot for about 30 minutes. There was no indication of an issue prior to the event. I just happened to see the puddle while walking to my car. On this date I had 64,100miles on the car. I was stranded in a parking lot 3 hours from home for over 9 hours. Mobile mechanic stated it looked like a loose oil filter and did a complete oil change (to include the filter). He said had I tried to drive my car, I would have blown my engine within a few miles. He also stated that the oil pressure sensor was not in good shape and needed replaced as soon as I could do so; within a week,the sensor was replaced. No items available for I inspection but mechanic bills available. Aside from two mechanics, no one else has inspected the vehicle. Now, today, April 16, 2023, I was parked outside a store for about 15 minutes and came out to a puddle of oil under my car. Checked my oil and realized it was just touching the Low indicator on the dipstick. Had to have a friend tow my car home so that my car and I could both be safe this evening. I am not sure what the cause of today's issue is yet as I have not made it to the mechanic; so this is UNKNOWN. However, a full tank of oil leaking out twice in a 3 month slan is not a coincidence. Clearly, there is some sort of issue with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11517334

85,000 miles · Apr 14, 2023
Engine

I am writing this letter to inform you of what I feel is an unacceptable situation. On November 17, 2022, my friend and I were heading to a veterinary specialist about 3 hours from where we live. On the way there the engine in her 2017 KIA Soul with about 85,000 miles on it started knocking. I said this isn’t right, so we calle…

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I am writing this letter to inform you of what I feel is an unacceptable situation. On November 17, 2022, my friend and I were heading to a veterinary specialist about 3 hours from where we live. On the way there the engine in her 2017 KIA Soul with about 85,000 miles on it started knocking. I said this isn’t right, so we called for a tow. We had it towed back to our local mechanic, and they said it was a low-end engine knock. The mechanic called the local KIA dealership’s service department to see if it was covered by the warranty. The KIA rep asked for the VIN after which they informed the mechanic since Julie did not respond to a letter (not a recall) sent out about a software upgrade that needed to be done to detect the problem early, it was not covered. She never saw said letter and has been at that same address for over 30 years. Our local shop quoted her $6,985.25 and about 2 weeks to replace the engine. She called the local KIA service department and they said they could make an appointment to diagnose it January 21st (but if she brought it in, they would fit it in before then, if possible, she had no idea that it was going to be over 4 months.) She also called KIA corporation (which took multiple calls and was on hold forever) to inquire about the warranty and was told KIA would not cover it. KIA corporation said her problem is with the U.S. Postal Service if she never received the update letter. The local dealership finally diagnosed it days after her scheduled appointment and was told she would have to pay over $6,000.00 and it would be about 4 weeks to have the engine replaced. I find it unacceptable my friend is told to check back every couple of weeks. I could totally understand it if KIA said, “we’ll take care of it, but it will take some time” but to have a paying customer’s vehicle over 4 months (a third of a year) is ridiculous in my opinion. Julie is having to borrow vehicles and ut

NHTSA ODI #11517144

84,435 miles · Mar 31, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter parked the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer the next day, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to b…

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter parked the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer the next day, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,435.

NHTSA ODI #11514763

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2023
Steering

The power steering fails while driving. Steering suddenly and without notice becomes very difficult when the power steering stops working. STEERING FAILURE must be a serious safty issue.

NHTSA ODI #11512549

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

My kia soul 2017 had a catalytic burnout in 2021. Looks like the recall till 2016 should have been extended to 2017. This still pose a danger to consumers with model 2017 and newer models for overheating catalytic .

NHTSA ODI #11512207

72,859 miles · Mar 2, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and an oil change service was performed; however, the failure persiste…

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and an oil change service was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to two independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for further diagnostic test and repair. The contact made various local dealers aware of the failure; however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,859.

NHTSA ODI #11509868

137,000 miles · Feb 18, 2023
Engine

The car has been back for two for oil consumptions test at 1000 miles and is burning about 5 quarts every thousand miles.

NHTSA ODI #11508022

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

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.