Kia Soul Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Kia Soul years to avoid are 2013-2016, led by 2015 with a complaint index of 100 and 898 complaints, mostly engine-related. Best years are 2010, 2019, 2024, and 2025, each with low complaint indexes (20 or under) and few reported problems.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Best 2010Best 2019Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,526
- Recall campaigns
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 265
- 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 | Best | 20 | 126 | 22 | 15 | 3 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 47 | 194 | 27 | 5 | 3 | Brakes | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 73 | 514 | 25 | 23 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 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 | Caution | 67 | 381 | 9 | 6 | 1 | Engine | 30 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 233 | 12 | 3 | 2 | Engine | 29.5 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Good | 27 | 88 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 30 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Good | 33 | 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 ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 898 total complaints across 4 recalls. Engine problems are the dominant issue at 673 complaints (75% share), with a median failure mileage of 94,000. Electrical system and fuel system complaints follow, at 99 and 78 complaints respectively. Owners described engine combustion events and airbag non-deployment during crashes. Recalls cover engine compartment fire risk, catalytic converter overheating, and a steering pinion plug that could separate from the steering gear assembly.
2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 fuel system problems →
2014 Kia Soul Index 93 · 900 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2014 Soul has the second-highest complaint index at 93, with 900 total complaints and 5 recall campaigns. Engine problems lead with 602 complaints (67% share) and a median failure mileage of 103,000. Electrical system issues follow at 187 complaints, median 68,000 miles. Owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and fires linked to engine compartment issues. Recalls address airbag control unit software, engine compartment fires, and catalytic converter overheating on GDI-equipped engines.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →
2016 Kia Soul Index 87 · 812 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2016 Soul has a complaint index of 87 with 812 total complaints and 2 recalls. Engine complaints are the largest category at 622 (77% share), with a median failure mileage of 89,956. Fuel system, electrical system, and transmission complaints follow at lower shares. Owners reported brake pedals failing to engage and steering veering without warning, along with airbags not deploying in front-end collisions. Recalls address catalytic converter overheating on GDI engines and a steering pinion plug defect shared with the 2014-2015 model years.
2016 engine problems →2016 fuel system problems →2016 electrical system problems →
2013 Kia Soul Index 80 · 662 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 Soul carries a complaint index of 80 out of 5 recalls filed. Engine problems dominate at 312 complaints (47% share), with owners reporting failures around a median of 117,000 miles. Steering issues follow at 151 complaints, with a median mileage of 70,000, including reports of vehicles veering unexpectedly. Brakes and electrical system complaints round out the top areas. NHTSA recalls cover brake components requiring owners to park outside, catalytic converter overheating on GDI engines, and a headliner plate that could detach near the sunroof.
2013 engine problems →2013 steering problems →2013 brakes problems →
Most common Kia Soul problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine3,462 (63%)
- Electrical System699 (13%)
- Other652 (12%)
- Steering518 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain426 (8%)
- Brakes390 (7%)
- Fuel System366 (7%)
- Airbags202 (4%)
- Structure & Body156 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires119 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Soul should I avoid?
- Avoid the 2013 through 2016 Kia Soul. The 2015 model year has the highest complaint index (100) with 898 complaints, and 2013-2016 all show engine problems as the top issue, tied to catalytic converter overheating recalls on GDI engines.
- What are the best Kia Soul years to buy?
- The 2010, 2019, 2024, and 2025 Soul are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 13, 0, and 7 respectively, far below the worst years.
- Does the Kia Soul have engine recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 19V120000 covers 2012-2016 Soul models with 1.6L GDI engines, where high exhaust gas temperatures could damage the catalytic converter. A separate 2020 recall (20V750000) addressed engine compartment fire risk on 2014-2015 Soul models.
- What is the most common problem area across all Kia Soul years?
- Engine complaints make up 63% of all 5,526 complaints across the 16 model years covered, making it the most reported problem area by far, followed by electrical system issues at 13%.
- Is the 2015 Kia Soul reliable based on complaints?
- The 2015 Soul has the highest complaint index (100) of any Soul model year, with 898 complaints, 83 fires, and 34 crashes reported to NHTSA, making it the year with the most reported problems relative to other Soul years.