Which Toyota Corolla years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2020 as the Corolla years to avoid, with 2010 having the highest complaint index (100) and 15 recall campaigns, mostly tied to airbags.

Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as the Soul years to avoid, with 2015 topping the complaint index at 100; engine problems make up 63% of all Soul complaints.

Is the Corolla or the Soul more reliable overall?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the Corolla shows fewer complaints per model year (277 vs 345) and more recall campaigns (30 vs 15), but totals aren't normalized for sales volume, so neither can be called a clear winner.

How do the Corolla and Soul compare on fuel economy?

The Corolla averages 32.2 MPG combined across its model years versus 28 MPG for the Soul, with Corolla's 2023-2024 models reaching 39.5 MPG combined and $1,650 annual fuel cost.

What is the top complaint area for each model?

Airbags account for 38% of Corolla complaints, while engine problems account for 63% of Soul complaints.

Toyota Corolla vs Kia Soul: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Corolla years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2020; Kia Soul years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Corolla logs 4,430 total complaints (277 per model year, 30 recalls) versus Soul's 5,526 (345 per model year, 15 recalls). Corolla averages 32.2 MPG combined; Soul averages 28 MPG. Totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Toyota Corolla

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 4,430
Per model year: 277
Recall campaigns: 30
Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2014, 2020
Best years: 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
Top problem area: Airbags
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 32.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

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	Corolla				Soul
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	1,225	15	27	Best	126	3	27
2011	Avoid	584	9	27	Good	194	3	26.5
2012	Caution	446	5	29	Caution	514	3	26.5
2013	Caution	201	5	29	Avoid	662	3	26.5
2014	Avoid	269	2	32	Avoid	900	5	26
2015	Caution	219	1	31.5	Avoid	898	4	26
2016	Caution	214	1	31.5	Avoid	812	2	26
2017	Good	178	3	31	Caution	272	1	27
2018	Best	134	3	31	Good	218	1	27
2019	Best	202	5	32.5	Best	136	1	28
2020	Avoid	306	3	33	Caution	381	1	30
2021	Good	185	1	33	Caution	233	2	29.5
2022	Best	100	0	33	Good	88	1	30
2023	Best	73	3	39.5	Good	51	4	30.5
2024	Good	63	2	39.5	Best	29	0	30.5
2025	Good	31	0	35	Best	12	0	30.5

Complaint Index by year

Toyota Corolla

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 Toyota Corolla years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2020 as the Corolla years to avoid, with 2010 having the highest complaint index (100) and 15 recall campaigns, mostly tied to airbags.
Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as the Soul years to avoid, with 2015 topping the complaint index at 100; engine problems make up 63% of all Soul complaints.
Is the Corolla or the Soul more reliable overall?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the Corolla shows fewer complaints per model year (277 vs 345) and more recall campaigns (30 vs 15), but totals aren't normalized for sales volume, so neither can be called a clear winner.
How do the Corolla and Soul compare on fuel economy?: The Corolla averages 32.2 MPG combined across its model years versus 28 MPG for the Soul, with Corolla's 2023-2024 models reaching 39.5 MPG combined and $1,650 annual fuel cost.
What is the top complaint area for each model?: Airbags account for 38% of Corolla complaints, while engine problems account for 63% of Soul complaints.