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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.

About this comparison →

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
105,654 miles · Aug 4, 2020
Engine

SOMETHING IS KNOCKING OR TICKING IN THE MOTOR FEELS LIKE UNDER MY FEET OF DRIVERS FLOOR BOARD. HAVE KEPT REGULAR OIL CHANGES ND IT STARTED OFF BY SPITTING AND SPUTTERING WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP TO NOW TICKING. WENT TO START IT THE NEXT MORNING TO GO TOO WORK AND IT SOUNDED AWFUL SO I DIDNT DRIVE IT. NOW WHEN I START IT THE B…

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SOMETHING IS KNOCKING OR TICKING IN THE MOTOR FEELS LIKE UNDER MY FEET OF DRIVERS FLOOR BOARD. HAVE KEPT REGULAR OIL CHANGES ND IT STARTED OFF BY SPITTING AND SPUTTERING WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP TO NOW TICKING. WENT TO START IT THE NEXT MORNING TO GO TOO WORK AND IT SOUNDED AWFUL SO I DIDNT DRIVE IT. NOW WHEN I START IT THE BATTERY LIGHT IS ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND IT WILL START FOR ABOUT 3 SEC AN SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11343375

80,000 miles · Aug 3, 2020
Engine

I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR CUT OFF. I WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP. THE. MECHANIC SAID THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. MY CAR WILL NEED A NEW MOTOR. I HAVE ONLY 80,000 MILES. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM AND LOVED MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11343107

69,000 miles · Jul 17, 2020
Engine

I WAS WAITING IN THE DRIVE-THRU OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, WHEN MY OIL LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER THEN CAME ON SOLID. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE OIL LIGHT HAD EVER COME ON. I DROVE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET TO A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, BUT NO OIL REGISTERED ON THE DIP STICK. I ADDED 2 QUARTS OF OI…

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I WAS WAITING IN THE DRIVE-THRU OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, WHEN MY OIL LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER THEN CAME ON SOLID. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE OIL LIGHT HAD EVER COME ON. I DROVE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET TO A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, BUT NO OIL REGISTERED ON THE DIP STICK. I ADDED 2 QUARTS OF OIL, IT NOW REGISTERED ALMOST FULL AND DROVE IT HOME (APPROX. 1 MILE). WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING. THE NEXT DAY I CHANGED THE OIL ADDING ONE QUART OF LUCAS OIL ADDITIVE. THE KNOCKING DID NOT GO AWAY AND I NOW NOTICED STEAM COMING OUT OF MY TAIL PIPE WHEN I WAS LETTING THE ENGINE WARM UP. I LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR FEAR OF DOING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. A FEW MONTHS LATER (WHEN I WAS IN A BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION), I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO KIA OF RIVERSIDE, WHERE THEY SAID THEY WOULD START A CASE WITH KIA MOTORS TO RUN TESTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE FAILURE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED ON 6/23/20. ON 7/15/20, THE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME KIA MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER AND IT HAD 69K MILES. I BOUGHT IT WITH APPROX 33K MILES. THEY SAY I NEED A NEW MOTOR AT A COST OF OVER $6,600. FOR THE RECORD, I GIVE MY CAR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND THERE ARE NO EXTERNAL SIGNS OF AN OIL LEAK ANYWHERE ON THE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE NOT YET SEEN THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ODI #11340016

82,000 miles · Jul 16, 2020
Engine

TOOK OFF FROM STOP SIGN GOT UP TO 55 MPH AND ENGINE BLEW. NO WARNING LIGHTS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOTHING. IT JUST BLEW. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS NORMAL. IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY KIND OF NOISE OR HESITATION. I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AND WAS TRAVELING SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL WHEN IT BLEW. IT WAS 5:20 AM …

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TOOK OFF FROM STOP SIGN GOT UP TO 55 MPH AND ENGINE BLEW. NO WARNING LIGHTS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOTHING. IT JUST BLEW. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS NORMAL. IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY KIND OF NOISE OR HESITATION. I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AND WAS TRAVELING SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL WHEN IT BLEW. IT WAS 5:20 AM WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11339674

91,000 miles · Jul 15, 2020
Engine

AT 91K MILES, THE ENGINE BLEW. AT 84K MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CONDEMNED.

NHTSA ODI #11339618

2,800 miles · Jul 14, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE CALLING FOR THEIR PARENTS WHO OWN A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR FATHER WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN A VEHICLE TWO CARS IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE THEN BOUNCE AND HIT THEIR VEHICLE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE CALLING FOR THEIR PARENTS WHO OWN A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR FATHER WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN A VEHICLE TWO CARS IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE THEN BOUNCE AND HIT THEIR VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED A HEAD AND NECK INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DROVE OFF WITH NO ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR3E MILEAGE WAS 2.800.

NHTSA ODI #11339342

84,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
Engine

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO OVER HEATING NOTHING. LOUD KNOCK CAR GOES DEAD.I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 1YR. GOT IT AT 52.000 MILES IS NOW AT 84.000. STILL UNDER KIA 100.000 MILE WARRANTY. BUT THEY WON'T COVER IT . AND THERE MAIN THING I…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO OVER HEATING NOTHING. LOUD KNOCK CAR GOES DEAD.I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 1YR. GOT IT AT 52.000 MILES IS NOW AT 84.000. STILL UNDER KIA 100.000 MILE WARRANTY. BUT THEY WON'T COVER IT . AND THERE MAIN THING IS I PUT 30.000. MILES ON IT. I HAVE KIDS. I TRAVEL. KEPT UP ON OIL CHANGES EVERYTHING

NHTSA ODI #11338523

93,705 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO GARDEN GROVE KIA LOCATED AT 13731 HARBOR BLVD, GARDEN GROVE, CA 92843, (888) 992-1833, WHERE THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO GARDEN GROVE KIA LOCATED AT 13731 HARBOR BLVD, GARDEN GROVE, CA 92843, (888) 992-1833, WHERE THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY WAS 93,705.

NHTSA ODI #11337640

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR 1 HOUR OR MORE AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN ON AGAIN MY CAR AND IMMEDIATELY TURN ON THE AC MY CAR ENGINE SHAKES AND TURN OFF THE MOTOR. I LEFT MY CAR IN THE DEALER WHEN I BUY THE CAR IN 4 TIMES BUT NOBODY FOUND THE PROBLEM. SO I FEEL FEAR FOR WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE I NEED HELP. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM SIN…

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WHEN DRIVING MY CAR 1 HOUR OR MORE AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN ON AGAIN MY CAR AND IMMEDIATELY TURN ON THE AC MY CAR ENGINE SHAKES AND TURN OFF THE MOTOR. I LEFT MY CAR IN THE DEALER WHEN I BUY THE CAR IN 4 TIMES BUT NOBODY FOUND THE PROBLEM. SO I FEEL FEAR FOR WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE I NEED HELP. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2018.*DT*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326484

44,000 miles · May 15, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE DISCONTINUED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE DISCONTINUED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #11324692

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.