2017 Kia Soul Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul.

20162018
Complaints
340
per 10K Sold
29.4
US Sales
115,712
Crashes
21
Fires
16
Injuries
21
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2017 Kia Soul Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1182 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:80,189 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:11
#217 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:64,667 mi
Fires:1
#317 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:67,196 mi
Considering a 2017 Kia Soul?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 Kia Soul.

Engine Problems
182
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
11
Avg Miles
80,189
Fuel System
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
64,667
Transmission / Drivetrain
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,196
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
43,588
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
39,553
Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
30,023
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
44,931
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,978
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
95,040
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Blindspot:Sensors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Vehicle Controls:Speed Control
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Soul. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2017 Kia Soul

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~410,619 vehicles.

22V031000Airbags
~410,619 affected

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.

Other Kia Soul Years

2017 Kia Soul — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2017 Kia Soul reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2017 Kia Soul has 340 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 182 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2017 Kia Soul?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (182 complaints, avg 80,189 mi); Fuel System (17 complaints, avg 64,667 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (17 complaints, avg 67,196 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Kia Soul?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,759 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2017 Kia Soul?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul include 21 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 21 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2017 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 410,619 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2017 Kia Soul?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Soul reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2017 Kia Soul

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99