2023 Kia Soul Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 16 electrical system complaints for the 2023 Kia Soul, 31% of its 51 total complaints, with median failure mileage of 45,000. A related recall (23V298000) covers a digital instrument cluster software defect.
- Electrical System complaints
- 16
- 31% of 51
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 45,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Instrument cluster or speedometer display goes blank or stops showing speed, tachometer, and warning lights while driving.
- Vehicle shuts down unexpectedly on the road with no warning lights, including while stopped or in motion.
- Multiple safety and driver-assist warning lights illuminate in succession without a clear cause, sometimes intermittently over months.
- Headlights are reported as very dim, making nighttime and rainy driving difficult to see the road.
- Steering wheel jerks toward oncoming traffic on two-lane roads when a car passes in the opposite direction.
- Dashboard displays an unexpected lane-related warning message during normal highway driving.
When 2023 Kia Soul electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 25, 2022, latest Aug 24, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2023 Kia Soul
- NHTSA 23V298000Apr 26, 2023Electrical System108,936 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
Electrical System complaints by Soul model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does the 2023 Kia Soul have?
- NHTSA lists 16 electrical system complaints for the 2023 Kia Soul, which is 31% of the 51 total complaints filed for the model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2023 Kia Soul electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 23V298000, reported April 26, 2023, covers a digital instrument cluster software issue; Kia dealers update the cluster software free of charge.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2023 Kia Soul is 45,000 miles.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to electrical issues?
- NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 2 injuries associated with electrical system complaints for the 2023 Kia Soul, and no fires.
- Is the instrument cluster problem the same as the recall?
- The recall addresses instrument cluster software, and several sample complaints describe blank or malfunctioning instrument panels, which matches the recalled component.