Kia Soul Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Kia Soul years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020, which have complaint indexes of 93, 100, 87, and 80 and engine-dominated complaints. Best-rated years are 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025, each with low complaint indexes (13, 20, 0, and 7) and few recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2020Best 2019Best 2022Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,535
- Recall campaigns
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 266
- Fires reported
- 323
- Top problem area
- Engine
Soul Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Soul problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Good | 33 | 135 | 23 | 15 | 3 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 47 | 194 | 27 | 5 | 3 | Brakes | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 67 | 514 | 25 | 23 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 73 | 662 | 22 | 45 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 93 | 900 | 33 | 69 | 5 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 100 | 898 | 34 | 83 | 4 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 87 | 812 | 28 | 35 | 2 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 272 | 17 | 14 | 1 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 40 | 218 | 14 | 14 | 1 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 13 | 136 | 11 | 8 | 1 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 381 | 9 | 6 | 1 | Engine | 30 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 233 | 12 | 3 | 2 | Engine | 29.5 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 88 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 30 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 27 | 51 | 5 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 30.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Best | 0 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 30.5 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Best | 7 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 30.5 | 4★ |
Soul years to avoid: what went wrong
2015 Kia Soul Index 100 · 898 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2015 Soul has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100 and ranks worst overall. Engine complaints are 75% of the total, at a median mileage of 94,000. Fuel System complaints follow at 9%, median 65,000 miles. Owners describe engine fires, brakes not engaging, and airbags not deploying during crashes. Four recall campaigns apply, covering engine fire risk and a steering pinion plug defect shared with the 2014 and 2016 model years.
2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 fuel system problems →
2014 Kia Soul Index 93 · 900 complaints · 5 recalls
NHTSA lists 900 complaints for the 2014 Soul, giving it a complaint index of 93 and rank_worst_first of 2. Engine complaints make up 67% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 103,000 miles. Electrical System issues account for another 21%, at a median of 68,000 miles. Owners report fires (69) and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Five recall campaigns cover this year, including an engine compartment fire risk and an airbag control unit software issue.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →
2016 Kia Soul Index 87 · 812 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2016 Soul carries a complaint index of 87 and ranks third worst. Engine complaints are 77% of the total, median mileage 89,956. Fuel System issues are 10% of complaints at a median of 72,617 miles. Owners report brake pedals failing to engage, sudden steering veer, airbags not deploying in front-end collisions, and an accelerator pedal breaking. Two recall campaigns cover a catalytic converter overheating risk and the steering pinion plug defect.
2016 engine problems →2016 fuel system problems →2016 electrical system problems →
2020 Kia Soul Index 80 · 381 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2020 Soul has a complaint index of 80 and ranks fourth worst, despite a low median failure mileage of 13,450 for all complaints. Engine complaints are 66% of the total at a median of 25,053 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain issues are 23% at a median of only 8,850 miles. Owners describe engines stalling and catching fire, unintended forward movement after shifting out of reverse, and airbags failing to deploy in a crash. One recall covers improperly heat-treated piston oil rings that can cause engine damage.
2020 engine problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 electrical system problems →
Most common Kia Soul problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine3,464 (63%)
- Electrical System700 (13%)
- Other652 (12%)
- Steering518 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain428 (8%)
- Brakes390 (7%)
- Fuel System366 (7%)
- Airbags203 (4%)
- Structure & Body161 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires119 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Kia Soul years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020 Soul model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 93, 100, 87, and 80 respectively.
- What is the best year for the Kia Soul?
- The 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025 Soul model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 13, 20, 0, and 7, the lowest in the lineup.
- Does the 2014 Kia Soul have engine trouble?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 67% of all complaints filed for the 2014 Soul, with a median failure mileage of 103,000 miles, and the year has a complaint index of 93.
- Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?
- The 2020 Soul is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 80 and Engine and Transmission & Powertrain complaints occurring at low median mileages of 25,053 and 8,850 miles.
- How many recalls does the Kia Soul have overall?
- Across the 2010-2025 model years, NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns and 5,535 total complaints for the Kia Soul.