Which Honda Accord years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019 as the Accord years with the most reported problems, with 2018 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 1,881 complaints.

Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?

2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are flagged, with 2015 having the highest complaint index (100) and 898 complaints, many tied to the Engine category, which makes up 63% of all Soul complaints.

Does the Accord or Soul have more complaints overall?

The Accord has 9,115 total complaints over 16 model years (570 per year average) versus the Soul's 5,526 (345 per year average), but NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted per vehicle sold.

Which model has more recall campaigns?

The Accord has 33 total recall campaigns across its 16 covered model years, compared to 15 for the Soul.

How do the two compare on fuel economy?

The Accord averages 28.3 mpg combined across its model years versus 28 mpg combined for the Soul, a small difference overall.

Honda Accord vs Kia Soul: Which Years to Avoid

Honda Accord years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019; Kia Soul years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Accord logs 9,115 total complaints across 16 model years (570/year) versus Soul's 5,526 (345/year), but totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Honda Accord

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 9,115
Per model year: 570
Recall campaigns: 33
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Best years: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Kia Soul

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,526
Per model year: 345
Recall campaigns: 15
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Best years: 2010, 2019, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.4 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Accord				Soul
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	580	12	25	Best	126	3	27
2011	Best	296	9	26	Good	194	3	26.5
2012	Good	373	8	26	Caution	514	3	26.5
2013	Avoid	1,421	5	26	Avoid	662	3	26.5
2014	Avoid	981	4	27	Avoid	900	5	26
2015	Caution	601	5	26	Avoid	898	4	26
2016	Caution	604	4	26	Avoid	812	2	26
2017	Caution	535	3	25.5	Caution	272	1	27
2018	Avoid	1,881	6	28.5	Good	218	1	27
2019	Avoid	689	6	28.5	Best	136	1	28
2020	Good	362	5	28.5	Caution	381	1	30
2021	Best	232	4	32	Caution	233	2	29.5
2022	Best	249	4	32	Good	88	1	30
2023	Best	85	5	32	Good	51	4	30.5
2024	Good	141	3	32	Best	29	0	30.5
2025	Good	85	0	32	Best	12	0	30.5

Complaint Index by year

Honda Accord

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Kia Soul

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda Accord years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019 as the Accord years with the most reported problems, with 2018 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 1,881 complaints.
Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?: 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are flagged, with 2015 having the highest complaint index (100) and 898 complaints, many tied to the Engine category, which makes up 63% of all Soul complaints.
Does the Accord or Soul have more complaints overall?: The Accord has 9,115 total complaints over 16 model years (570 per year average) versus the Soul's 5,526 (345 per year average), but NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted per vehicle sold.
Which model has more recall campaigns?: The Accord has 33 total recall campaigns across its 16 covered model years, compared to 15 for the Soul.
How do the two compare on fuel economy?: The Accord averages 28.3 mpg combined across its model years versus 28 mpg combined for the Soul, a small difference overall.