Which Honda Civic years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2022 as Civic years to avoid, with 2022 posting the highest complaint index (100) and steering the top problem area in three of those four years.

Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as Soul years to avoid. The 2015 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and engine problems dominate, including 83 reported fires that year.

Does the Civic or Soul have more recalls?

The Civic has 33 total recall campaigns across 2010-2025 versus 15 for the Soul, though neither has any do-not-drive recalls listed.

Which gets better fuel economy, Civic or Soul?

The Civic averages 32.1 MPG combined versus 28 MPG combined for the Soul across the years covered.

Which model has more total complaints?

The Civic has 6,551 total complaints and the Soul has 5,526, but NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Honda Civic vs Kia Soul: Which Years to Avoid

Honda Civic years to avoid are 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2022; Kia Soul years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Civic logs 6,551 total complaints across 33 recalls, Soul logs 5,526 across 15 recalls, but totals aren't sales-normalized. Civic averages 32.1 MPG combined versus Soul's 28.

Head to head

Honda Civic

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 6,551
Per model year: 409
Recall campaigns: 33
Years to avoid: 2010, 2016, 2018, 2022
Best years: 2011, 2014, 2020, 2021
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 32.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

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	Civic				Soul
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	396	8	28.5	Best	126	3	27
2011	Best	168	9	28.5	Good	194	3	26.5
2012	Caution	455	3	31	Caution	514	3	26.5
2013	Good	319	0	31	Avoid	662	3	26.5
2014	Best	291	2	31.5	Avoid	900	5	26
2015	Good	380	1	31.5	Avoid	898	4	26
2016	Avoid	1,080	5	34	Avoid	812	2	26
2017	Good	593	6	34	Caution	272	1	27
2018	Avoid	741	6	34	Good	218	1	27
2019	Caution	430	4	32.5	Best	136	1	28
2020	Best	225	5	32	Caution	381	1	30
2021	Best	144	4	32.5	Caution	233	2	29.5
2022	Avoid	881	4	33	Good	88	1	30
2023	Caution	255	4	33	Good	51	4	30.5
2024	Good	123	3	33	Best	29	0	30.5
2025	Caution	70	2	34	Best	12	0	30.5

Complaint Index by year

Honda Civic

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 Civic years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2022 as Civic years to avoid, with 2022 posting the highest complaint index (100) and steering the top problem area in three of those four years.
Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as Soul years to avoid. The 2015 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and engine problems dominate, including 83 reported fires that year.
Does the Civic or Soul have more recalls?: The Civic has 33 total recall campaigns across 2010-2025 versus 15 for the Soul, though neither has any do-not-drive recalls listed.
Which gets better fuel economy, Civic or Soul?: The Civic averages 32.1 MPG combined versus 28 MPG combined for the Soul across the years covered.
Which model has more total complaints?: The Civic has 6,551 total complaints and the Soul has 5,526, but NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.