Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
725–50K
2550–75K
3175–100K
23100–150K
2150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2024
Engine
Car has been giving me problems using oil going on 3 years. The Kia dealership keeps having me do different test and repair different stuff. Finally on Saturday March 16,2023 the car broke down right off exit of highway at the light. I was so scared and frustrated people were blowing horn. A man helped me after about 30 minutes…
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Car has been giving me problems using oil going on 3 years. The Kia dealership keeps having me do different test and repair different stuff. Finally on Saturday March 16,2023 the car broke down right off exit of highway at the light. I was so scared and frustrated people were blowing horn. A man helped me after about 30 minutes get car off road onto shoulder. Had to have it towed to Kia. The did test yet again told me engine is shot. Now waiting approval for a new engine from Kia. This whole time I always check for recalls and stuff on this car but nothing ever shows up. But clearly there is a problem. I bought this car brand new. I have tried all this time with the dealership to make it right I even reported to y'all once before and started a case with Kia corporate. I am at my wits end.
NHTSA ODI #11577990
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine
I am reporting the problem with the starters used in the Kia Soul. My starter went out with no warning. My vehicle had less than 25,000 mi. This occurrence happened 1 yr ago. January of 2023. The temp outside was a blistering 13°below 0. I was stumped by this occurrence. After searching the web for answers- I found mysel…
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I am reporting the problem with the starters used in the Kia Soul. My starter went out with no warning. My vehicle had less than 25,000 mi. This occurrence happened 1 yr ago. January of 2023. The temp outside was a blistering 13°below 0. I was stumped by this occurrence. After searching the web for answers- I found myself viewing Utube videos for the problem I was experiencing. I found several about the symptoms, sounds and the behavior of the dash lights that verified the fact That my STARTER has gone out. Upon arrival at Dealership garage, I was told "the manufacturer is aware of the problems with these specific starters but are not willing to do anything about it because of cost" I feel this is a true safety issue. Being January in MN winter, the temperature can be very devastating. I contacted Roadside assistance (their headquarters being in Florida) Stated I needed to stay with my Vehicle for assistance. Finally after 2 days- a tow truck showed up and towed it the Whole 2 miles to the nearest Dealership garage. I can't imagine what could have occurred if I had been further from home with my vulnerable mother or very young Grandkids. This did take place last year, but with further a due I was encouraged to file a complaint about this experience. Hoping enough complaints will inspire an investigation, so others will not have to experience this problem or have this unsafe occurance happen to them or their loved ones.
NHTSA ODI #11574603
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Burning oil in 1,000 miles blowing blue smoke out exhaust
NHTSA ODI #11573430
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2024
EnginePower Train
Had oil changed and noticed car was stalling. Went to get car checked out and there was no oil. Replaced oil and car still had the same issue. Was notified that there was an issue with these cars and burning oil. Engine was replaced but car still has issues.
NHTSA ODI #11571526
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2024
Engine
The car gave no warning, no lights or anything to tell me that there was something wrong with the engine. The engine started to knock very loud while I was driving on the freeway and completely failed. The car could have caught on fire or blew up while I was driving it or I could have gotten into a very bad accident. As soon as …
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The car gave no warning, no lights or anything to tell me that there was something wrong with the engine. The engine started to knock very loud while I was driving on the freeway and completely failed. The car could have caught on fire or blew up while I was driving it or I could have gotten into a very bad accident. As soon as I had heard the knocking I immediately pulled over on the freeway dangerously while cars were speeding by me. There was no warning and the car was driving completely fine. I also saw that there was a recall for other years for the kia soul that had the same engine failures that mine had except that my car did not have a recall.
NHTSA ODI #11570168
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2024
Engine
Engine blew
NHTSA ODI #11569574
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2024
Air BagsEnginePower Train
Dear Officer, I'm writing to report the powertrain and engine issue on my Green Kia Soul 2017 with a 1.6L engine. The engine misfired when I was driving on Interstate 26 with my whole family (including my wife, mom, and 4-year-old daughter). The speed was down first with no signal and then the car started to shake strongly. It…
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Dear Officer, I'm writing to report the powertrain and engine issue on my Green Kia Soul 2017 with a 1.6L engine. The engine misfired when I was driving on Interstate 26 with my whole family (including my wife, mom, and 4-year-old daughter). The speed was down first with no signal and then the car started to shake strongly. It was extremely dangerous as it would very likely have made a collision from the back. I was so scared after that. I couldn't imagine the consequences if the car crashed due to a sudden engine misfire on the interstate. Thank Goodness, we are blessed as there was an exit that led us to get off the interstate. After towing the car to the dealer for a full inspection, I was told to pay at least $6,600 to buy a new engine to fix this issue without a warranty. I do need your help on the engine issue. More importantly, I hope no more similar safety events happening to other drivers and their families. I greatly appreciate your immediate attention and response. Thank you very much. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11569125
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Engine
Engine threw a rod
NHTSA ODI #11563065
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2023
Engine
My Kias engine had been burning oil i learned at an oil change. I was informed the engine was burning a lot of oil and i had to replace it myself.. i then decided to do an oil consumption and engine test. Kia dealership checked my engine said it looked great but i was burning more than a quart of oil every thousand miles so i ha…
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My Kias engine had been burning oil i learned at an oil change. I was informed the engine was burning a lot of oil and i had to replace it myself.. i then decided to do an oil consumption and engine test. Kia dealership checked my engine said it looked great but i was burning more than a quart of oil every thousand miles so i had to add it but that it was fine. 1.5 week later while i was driving my car began to violently shake on the highway and my engine light went on. I panicked in morning rush hour traffic and my engine sounded like it exploded. I had to tow it to Kia where they told me the entire engine needed to be replaced and there were multiple holes in the valves. I just bought this car in 2019.. less than 100,000 miles on this car this should NOT happen. This is wildly unsafe i could have killed someone’s or myself on the freeway that morning. Why is this happening and why is my engine not apart of the recall? It should not have exploded out of no where especially when i just added oil the Sunday before this happened. There is something wrong with the engine even though Kia told me it was just fine.
NHTSA ODI #11562769
12,114 miles · Dec 27, 2023
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityCrash
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to park on an incline, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration which resulted in a crash. The contact crashed into a handicap ramp. The vehicle then unintended accelerated in reverse where the vehicle crashed into a cement pole and a bush. No warn…
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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to park on an incline, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration which resulted in a crash. The contact crashed into a handicap ramp. The vehicle then unintended accelerated in reverse where the vehicle crashed into a cement pole and a bush. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence pending another tow by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,114.
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.
2017 Kia Soul Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year