Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020 as Avoid years for the Soul, with 2015 having the highest complaint index at 100 and engine problems as the top complaint area.

Which Nissan Altima years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, and 2015 as Avoid years, with 2013 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 12 recall campaigns, the most of any Altima year.

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Altima has 12,123 total complaints versus 5,535 for the Soul, but the Altima also covers five more model years (21 vs 16), and NHTSA does not publish sales figures to normalize these totals.

How do the two compare on fuel economy?

The Soul averages 28 mpg combined across its lineup while the Altima averages 27 mpg combined; both improve in more recent model years, with the Soul reaching 30.5 mpg combined and the Altima reaching up to 30.5 mpg combined in its newest years.

Does either model have years with no Good or Best verdict issues?

Both models have recent years earning Best verdicts: Soul's 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025, and Altima's 2021 through 2025, indicating lower reported problems in those years.

Kia Soul vs Nissan Altima: Which Years to Avoid

Kia Soul owners should avoid 2014-2016 and 2020; Nissan Altima owners should avoid 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2013-2015. The Soul logs 5,535 total complaints and 15 recalls across 16 model years versus the Altima's 12,123 complaints and 43 recalls across 21 model years; these totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Head to head

Kia Soul

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,535
Per model year: 346
Recall campaigns: 15
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020
Best years: 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.4 ★

Nissan Altima

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 12,123
Per model year: 577
Recall campaigns: 43
Years to avoid: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 27.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

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	Soul				Altima
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,091	1	21
2006	—	—	—	—	Caution	824	3	21
2007	—	—	—	—	Good	471	3	24
2008	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,028	4	24
2009	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,547	4	24
2010	Good	135	3	27	Caution	380	3	23
2011	Caution	194	3	26.5	Good	241	1	24.5
2012	Caution	514	3	26.5	Caution	426	4	24.5
2013	Caution	662	3	26.5	Avoid	2,312	12	26
2014	Avoid	900	5	26	Avoid	1,114	8	28
2015	Avoid	898	4	26	Avoid	953	10	28.5
2016	Avoid	812	2	26	Caution	553	4	30
2017	Caution	272	1	27	Caution	391	3	30
2018	Good	218	1	27	Good	225	2	30
2019	Best	136	1	28	Good	232	7	30
2020	Avoid	381	1	30	Good	158	6	30
2021	Caution	233	2	29.5	Best	70	2	30
2022	Best	88	1	30	Best	30	0	30.5
2023	Caution	51	4	30.5	Best	29	0	29.5
2024	Best	29	0	30.5	Best	41	1	29.5
2025	Best	12	0	30.5	Best	7	2	30

Complaint Index by year

Kia Soul

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

Nissan Altima

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020 as Avoid years for the Soul, with 2015 having the highest complaint index at 100 and engine problems as the top complaint area.
Which Nissan Altima years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, and 2015 as Avoid years, with 2013 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 12 recall campaigns, the most of any Altima year.
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Altima has 12,123 total complaints versus 5,535 for the Soul, but the Altima also covers five more model years (21 vs 16), and NHTSA does not publish sales figures to normalize these totals.
How do the two compare on fuel economy?: The Soul averages 28 mpg combined across its lineup while the Altima averages 27 mpg combined; both improve in more recent model years, with the Soul reaching 30.5 mpg combined and the Altima reaching up to 30.5 mpg combined in its newest years.
Does either model have years with no Good or Best verdict issues?: Both models have recent years earning Best verdicts: Soul's 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025, and Altima's 2021 through 2025, indicating lower reported problems in those years.