2017 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 272 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 17 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsJan 25, 2022
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.
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
16 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jul 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated the vehicle was consuming one quart of oil every 2-3 days. The oil warning light was illuminated with an abnormal clacking sound coming from the engine. The dealer was contacted and claimed that the vehicle was repaired. The contact sought confirmation from the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and stated that the spark plug was fractured and was not properly installed. The contact was informed that the engine was only running on 2 cylinders and was running at 1 PSI. The contact was also informed that there was fuel leaking from the exhaust pipe, causing failures with the fuel injectors. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Jan 31, 2024
Dear Officer, I'm writing to report the powertrain and engine issue on my Green Kia Soul 2017 with a 1.6L engine. The engine misfired when I was driving on Interstate 26 with my whole family (including my wife, mom, and 4-year-old daughter). The speed was down first with no signal and then the car started to shake strongly. It was extremely dangerous as it would very likely have made a collision from the back. I was so scared after that. I couldn't imagine the consequences if the car crashed due to a sudden engine misfire on the interstate. Thank Goodness, we are blessed as there was an exit that led us to get off the interstate. After towing the car to the dealer for a full inspection, I was told to pay at least $6,600 to buy a new engine to fix this issue without a warranty. I do need your help on the engine issue. More importantly, I hope no more similar safety events happening to other drivers and their families. I greatly appreciate your immediate attention and response. Thank you very much. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, May 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2022, crash
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while in stop-and-go traffic, an 18-wheeler crashed into her vehicle and sent the vehicle into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact and the contact hit her head on the driver-side window. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a fractured skull and a concussion. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed which noted that the guardrail was damaged and in need of repair. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and was deemed a total loss. After the accident, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000(Air Bags) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Air bags, Sep 29, 2022, crash
On August 20, 2022, I was driving my 2017 KIA Soul and was slammed into in the front of my car, at full speed, by a KIA sedan which had sped across my path in an attempt to make an illegal U-turn across a highway. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED in my KIA OR in the other errant KIA's car! I suffered physical injuries upon impact to the chest and sternum and was removed from the scene by ambulance. Since that awful crash, I have read a number of articles that KIA is in the process of issuing recalls for airbag malfunctions in their cars, beginning with the year 2017. This must be made known and corrected!
Air bags, Apr 8, 2022, crash
Severe front end damage in accident and airbags never deployed on 4/7/2022. Airbag light was never illuminated on the dash. Never received notification of recall before accident. Both driver and passenger taken to emergency room.
Air bags, Apr 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2020, crash
ON 10/23/2020 I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A 2017 JEEP WRANGLER AND THE AIR BAGS IN MY SOUL DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SOUL IS A TOTAL LOSS, DUE TO FRAME DAMAGE.
Air bags, Jul 14, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE CALLING FOR THEIR PARENTS WHO OWN A 2017 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR FATHER WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN A VEHICLE TWO CARS IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE THEN BOUNCE AND HIT THEIR VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED A HEAD AND NECK INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DROVE OFF WITH NO ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR3E MILEAGE WAS 2.800.
Air bags, Nov 29, 2019, crash
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AIR BAGS HAVE NOT GONE OFF IN A CRASH ON THIS CAR THE FIRST CRASH WAS AT 55 MPH HEAD ON AND THEY DIDNT GO OFF AND THE SENSORS WERE HIT AND DAMAGED. TODAY THE CAR WAS IN ANOTHER HEAD ON CRASH WITH INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS TO MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAGS . IN BOTH CRASHES THE VECHILE WAS IN MOTION.I WILL BE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE CAR TOMORROW. SOMEONE COULD HAVE DIED IN THIS CRASH.
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 8, 2019
MY KIA SOUL WAS MANUFACTURED 11/16 & HAS 8,643 MILES ON IT AS 10/8/19. I STARTED MY CAR THE MORNING OF 10/719 & THE AIR BAG AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHTS WENT ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS MORNING THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS FLASHING ALSO. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE ITEMS FOR MY VEHICLE?
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Aug 9, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, THE BRAKES NEVER TOOK EFFECT TO MAKE ME SLIDE SKID OR STOP. SEATBEAT NEVER HELD ME BACK FROM SLAMMING INTO STEERING WHEEL.
Air bags, Apr 24, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED CONTINUING HEATH ISSUES, INCLUDING BACK AND NECK INJURIES AND A CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. JENKINS KIA OF GAINESVILLE (2810 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609, (352) 815-2555) WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED THE PHONE NUMBER FOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND STATED THAT TTHEY WOULD REVIEW THE CASE. THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED PHOTOS AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT FROM THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUBMITTED THE REQUESTED INFORMATION AND THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT OF THE INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2018, crash
I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE SUN VISOR AND EDGE OF WINDSHIELD. BASICALLY SCALPING ME. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED YES BUT AFTER I WAS BLEEDING AND REACHING TO UNDO MY SEATBELT. HITTING MY HAND WHICH BROKE MY WRIST HAVING TO HAVE SURGERY TO PUT A PLATE AND PINS IN IT. ALSO HITTING ME IN THE CHEST SO HARD IT KNOCKE THE BREATH OUT OF ME. IT WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD TOO LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE.
Air bags, Oct 18, 2018, crash
VIN # [XXX] I HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Apr 4, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDERS, AND BACK. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.