Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 as the Soul years to avoid, with 2015 having the highest complaint index at 100 and engine listed as the top problem area in each of those years.

Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, and 2012 as the Fusion years to avoid. The 2010 model year has a complaint index of 100, 11 recall campaigns, and 3 do-not-drive recalls, more than any other Fusion year.

Does the Kia Soul or Ford Fusion have more recalls?

The Ford Fusion has 46 total recall campaigns across 2010-2020, versus 15 for the Kia Soul across 2010-2025. The Fusion also has 3 do-not-drive recalls in 2010 and 2 each in 2011 and 2012, while the Soul has none.

Which gets better fuel economy, the Soul or Fusion?

The Kia Soul averages 28 MPG combined across its model years versus 25 MPG combined for the Ford Fusion, based on EPA figures.

What is the top complaint category for each model?

For the Kia Soul, Engine complaints make up 63% of total complaints (3,462 of 5,526). For the Ford Fusion, Steering complaints lead at 31% (5,705 of 18,209).

Kia Soul vs Ford Fusion: Which Years to Avoid

Kia Soul owners should avoid 2013-2016, while Ford Fusion owners should avoid 2010-2012. The Fusion logs 46 recall campaigns and 18,209 total complaints versus the Soul's 15 recalls and 5,526 complaints, though totals aren't sales-normalized. The Soul averages 28 MPG combined; the Fusion averages 25 MPG.

Head to head

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 ★

Ford Fusion

Model years: 2010–2020 (11)
NHTSA complaints: 18,209
Per model year: 1,655
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2012
Best years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

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				Fusion
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	126	3	27	Avoid	5,120	11	23
2011	Good	194	3	26.5	Avoid	2,786	7	23.5
2012	Caution	514	3	26.5	Avoid	2,516	5	23.5
2013	Avoid	662	3	26.5	Caution	1,791	19	26.5
2014	Avoid	900	5	26	Caution	1,330	19	26.5
2015	Avoid	898	4	26	Good	993	13	26
2016	Avoid	812	2	26	Caution	1,627	13	26
2017	Caution	272	1	27	Good	1,110	4	25
2018	Good	218	1	27	Best	439	2	25
2019	Best	136	1	28	Best	315	3	25
2020	Caution	381	1	30	Best	182	3	25
2021	Caution	233	2	29.5	—	—	—	—
2022	Good	88	1	30	—	—	—	—
2023	Good	51	4	30.5	—	—	—	—
2024	Best	29	0	30.5	—	—	—	—
2025	Best	12	0	30.5	—	—	—	—

Complaint Index by year

Kia Soul

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

Ford Fusion

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 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 as the Soul years to avoid, with 2015 having the highest complaint index at 100 and engine listed as the top problem area in each of those years.
Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, and 2012 as the Fusion years to avoid. The 2010 model year has a complaint index of 100, 11 recall campaigns, and 3 do-not-drive recalls, more than any other Fusion year.
Does the Kia Soul or Ford Fusion have more recalls?: The Ford Fusion has 46 total recall campaigns across 2010-2020, versus 15 for the Kia Soul across 2010-2025. The Fusion also has 3 do-not-drive recalls in 2010 and 2 each in 2011 and 2012, while the Soul has none.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Soul or Fusion?: The Kia Soul averages 28 MPG combined across its model years versus 25 MPG combined for the Ford Fusion, based on EPA figures.
What is the top complaint category for each model?: For the Kia Soul, Engine complaints make up 63% of total complaints (3,462 of 5,526). For the Ford Fusion, Steering complaints lead at 31% (5,705 of 18,209).