Kia Soul Reliability by Year
7,252 NHTSA complaints (2010–2025). Complaint rate: 96.7 per 1,000 vehicles.
Kia Soul reliability varies significantly by model year. Based on 7,252 NHTSA complaints (2010–2025), the most problematic years are 2014, 2015, 2016, with high complaint volumes linked to engine problems. Better choices include 2023, 2022, 2019, which show significantly fewer reported problems.
Why these years are worse
The most common issues driving the complaint spikes:
- engine problems — 2,958 complaints (0.9% involved a crash)
- unknown or other — 604 complaints (3.3% involved a crash)
- steering defects — 505 complaints (6.3% involved a crash)
- electrical faults — 481 complaints (2.9% involved a crash)
- transmission issues — 397 complaints (2.3% involved a crash)
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2012–2016 Kia Soul (218 crash-related complaints). The 2022–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Kia Soul Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2,958 | 0.9% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 604 | 3.3% |
| STEERING | 505 | 6.3% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 481 | 2.9% |
| POWER TRAIN | 397 | 2.3% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 328 | 2.1% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 278 | 0.4% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 228 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 193 | 72.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 190 | 19.5% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010GOOD | — | 193 | 31 | 24 | View → |
| 2011 | — | 270 | 43 | 7 | View → |
| 2012AVOID | — | 666 | 41 | 31 | View → |
| 2013AVOID | — | 851 | 32 | 60 | View → |
| 2014AVOID | — | 1,204 | 52 | 108 | View → |
| 2015AVOID | — | 1,202 | 59 | 111 | View → |
| 2016AVOID | — | 1,109 | 34 | 58 | View → |
| 2017 | — | 339 | 21 | 16 | View → |
| 2018 | — | 268 | 19 | 17 | View → |
| 2019GOOD | — | 180 | 20 | 9 | View → |
| 2020 | — | 460 | 12 | 9 | View → |
| 2021 | — | 264 | 24 | 4 | View → |
| 2022GOOD | — | 119 | 5 | 1 | View → |
| 2023GOOD | — | 81 | 9 | 3 | View → |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 32 | 0 | 3 | View → |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 14 | 4 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Kia Soulaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Kia Soul?
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