2017 Kia Soul Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Kia Soul has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate with 203 complaints (75% share) and 14 reported fires, plus one airbag recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #8 of 16 Soul years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 272
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 14
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 25 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
Top 2017 Kia Soul problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine203 (75%)
- Other33 (12%)
- Electrical System19 (7%)
- Fuel System19 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (7%)
- Airbags16 (6%)
- Brakes15 (6%)
- Steering10 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (3%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine failure or knocking noise reported around a median of 74,000 miles, sometimes followed by smoke or fire.
- Vehicles reportedly caught fire while driving at highway speed, with smoke emerging from under the hood before flames spread.
- Airbags failed to deploy during frontal or rear-end collisions, including one crash involving a deer strike.
- Brakes reportedly traveled to the floor with little stopping power, leading to a collision on a highway.
- Steering wheel reportedly locked while turning through a curve, causing the driver to strike a pole.
2017 Kia Soul recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V031000Jan 25, 2022Airbags410,619 vehicles
Air bags
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
2017 Kia Soul fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Kia Soul reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2017 Soul has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, placing it in the Caution category. Engine complaints make up 75% of all reports for this year.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Kia Soul?
- Engine problems are the top issue, with 203 complaints, 12 reported fires, and a median failure mileage of 82,754 miles.
- Does the 2017 Kia Soul have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (22V031000) covers the Air Bag Control Unit, which may contact a memory chip and affect airbag deployment. Kia dealers inspect the ACU and update software or replace the unit as needed.
- How does the 2017 Kia Soul compare to other Soul years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 53 is lower than the 2014-2016 Avoid years (index 93, 100, and 87) but higher than the 2018 and 2019 Good/Best years (index 40 and 13).