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
272 reports, newest first.
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "low oil level" message displayed even though the engine oil had recently been changed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the engine for an oil consumption test. No additional information was available. The vehicle was retrieved but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who had replaced the engine. On another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 16, 2022
May 2021 catalytic converter failed on vehicle. It was on back order and could not be replaced until July 2021 at 106,612 miles. At that time, I had dealership and national check for any recalls or recommended repairs. There were none. November 18, 2021, while siting at a stop light, engine suddenly began to knock loudly, I pulled over immediately and had it towed to dealership, at 118,729. Engine failure due to rod bearing failure. Engine had to be replaced. National claims there was a recall repair that was not performed before November 2021. As of oil change in October 2021, there was none. Recall repair was issued first week of November 2021. I received the mailed flyer after November 21, 2021.
Engine, Oct 6, 2022
Bought 2017 Kia Soul from Carmax Jan 2021 w/MaxCare extended warranty. All maintenance had been done as scheduled and no problems no warning lights. At approx 79K miles, on 9-14-22 , noticed a slight knocking sound. had already sched an oil change so i asked them to check out the knocking. Tech said there was metal in my oil but it was not a big deal, just get the oil changed more often. 9-15 picked it up, the knocking seemed to go away a little drove approx 10 miles home. 9-16, started it up and the knocking and rattling were terrible engine light came on and car died. luckily i was in my driveway and not on the highway or driving in traffic, i count myself lucky that my car did not catch on fire like many others. 9-19 paid to tow to a repair shop on my warranty plan, they said it is engine rod bearing failure and engine needs to be replaced since it was covered by kia's warranty it had to go to a Kia dealership, i paid to tow again on 9-23. Kia dealership said it is a known issue with these engines that they fail all the time but kia will not cover it. they claim there is a "product improvement campaign" which is different from a recall. since i did not get a notice to install software that would tell me WHEN the engine fails they refuse to cover repairs. asked dealership for repair estimate: $8000. Local repair shop told me Kia Soul engines are on back order, even with a refurbished engine that had 70K miles on it their estimate is $13,000 I've had it less than 2 years and still owe 11K I see online class action lawsuits one was just filed in Sept 2022. Kia is selling a sub standard, defective and dangerous product. refusing to pay for repairs or compensation on something they know is going to fail then hiding behind a software update that does nothing to prevent the damage. whether or not the software is installed the engine will still fail and they know this. Kia is putting drivers at known risk then leaving us with the bills
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!
Engine, Sep 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the vehicle emitted an abnormal sound and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The local dealer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure but had not called the contact back. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Suspension, Service brakes, Sep 21, 2022
My struts we’re going through my dash board and I had it repaired and my engine light is just constantly on.
Engine, Sep 6, 2022
On or about June 20, 2022, I began an approximate 700 mile roundtrip from my home to the Oregon Sunstone Mines in SE Oregon. Approximately half way into the trip (and in the mountainous area where cell service is spotty at best and non-existant at most) my KIA Soul lost all propulsion beyond a top speed of 30MPH. With highway traffic, which consisted mostly of semi trucks and campers, trying to pass me on this two lane highway I was forced to impede the flow of traffic until I could find a place to pull to the side of the road. Once I pulled over I called my dealership to explain the problem. When I returned home I took the vehicle in to the dealership immediately. The problem was diagnosed as the Turbo which apparently got so hot it welded itself to the manifold. Since the vehicle was still under warranty the dealership kept the vehicle for repairs. It took 7 weeks to get my vehicle repaired and returned to me (at least 4 of those were without a loaner,) I embarked on another planned trip on August 15, 2022, of approximately 800 miles roundtrip. I only traveled 65 miles when the vehicle repeated its previous issue. I returned to the dealership and left the vehicle for repairs once more. As of September 6, 2022, I have been told the part is back order and the dealership is uncertain when or if it will be available. I believe this issue fits within a safety recall as it leaves drivers stranded in areas where services of any kind could be limited or unavailable and where the engine gets so hot it welds the parts together. We have been told the CEO of KIA is aware of this issue but has yet to recall the vehicles.
Engine, Aug 24, 2022, fire
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, a cloud of black-colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact used his emergency brake to stop and immediately exited the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle quickly caught fire; by the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was incinerated. A fire report and police report were both filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The contact went to the unknown dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2022
When I bought my car in 2018, I didn’t like the way it drives. I had to take it back the next day to return it, but the dealer in North Aurora Gerald Kia said they wouldn’t take it back & I paid cash. I’ve been taking it back and forth from Gerald North Aurora to Bob Rohrman in Schaumburg Il. They have been been telling me every time, there’s nothing wrong. I’m hearing several noises in the Suspenion. So finally I told Bob Rohrman dealer to check everything before my warranty runs out. So far nothing didn’t happen until after my warranty. So I paid for 4 tires, front brakes, rotors. They finally said that I needed an Arm Control & a Strut, with low mileage, but Im steady hearing noises. I know know what to do. After I paid cash & had start going to find out what’s wrong with my car, the service dept was never friendly or professional. I always was told there’s nothing wrong with my car and that I know better. I’ve been driving since 17 yrs old and I’m 68.
Engine, Aug 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Structure, Aug 15, 2022
The paint on my 2017 Kia Soul is peeling (delaminating) on the hood of the vehicle. The paint color is Pearl White, mileage is 81k, photos taken August 13, 2022.
Engine, Jul 14, 2022
Purchased used Kia Soul 2017 and extended warranty in October 2020, in Niles, Michigan. Engine failed at 44,000 miles (approx. May 2022) in San Diego, CA. Towed to Kia Dealer, El Cajon, CA. Waited four weeks for new engine to be installed (Purchase of extended warranty covered cost of replaced engine). Drove vehicle for one week and then total engine failure on second engine. Towed to Kia, El Cajon, CA. Dealer provided no explanation other than "engines come wrapped to us, and we don't know if it is good or bad before we put it in the car." Totally unacceptable. Luckily, engine failure happened as it was exiting the freeway (San Diego) and was able to safely get to the curb on both occasions. Because vehicle was needed to drive from San Diego to Michigan (moving), and Dealer has had vehicle since second engine failure, Dealer agreed to buy vehicle, which we agreed on. Purchase 7-14-22. We are no longer the owners of this vehicle, but hope the situation is noted with NHSA. Thank you.
Engine, Jul 6, 2022
Kia was supposed to send me recall notifications. However I am the second owner of the car and kia told me on the phone that they sent my recall notifications to the original owner. I currently have unprepared recalls on my car. I made an appointment with a dealership and they had a 2 month waiting list to get my car serviced. While waiting for that 2 months to go by, while driving on the highway at 65 mph, my engine seized due to one of their recalls. I almost crashed because of that. Now I'm trying to get my engine repaired due to a manufacturers defect and kia is refusing to fix it. I have exhausted all other options and don't know what to do. But this is definitely a safety issue.
Engine, Jul 6, 2022
On the freeway the engine began knocking and died very shortly afterwards. Vehicle had been well maintained and there were no warning lights.
Engine, Jun 23, 2022, fire
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, knocking noise would emit from the engine without warning. The contact notified the dealer and they informed him that the knocking noise was normal vehicle operation. The contact then stated that while driving at 60 MPH as the knocking noise persisted, the noise grew increasing louder without warning. The contact looked out of his rearview mirror and saw a cloud of white smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. As he pulled over, he inspected the hood and saw flames encroaching towards the front driver's seat. The contact instructed his girlfriend to exit the vehicle, as he went back to retrieve a cell phone, he burned the hairs off both arms, and his right leg, as well as some hair on his head and face. The contact called the authorities while the vehicle became engulfed in flames as his children's safety seat and strollers were inside the vehicle. The children were not in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact also stated that part of a highway sign was burned due to the fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a police report was filed. The contact sought medical treatment at the scene where paramedics checked his vital signs and the burns to his body. The contact stated that both he and his girlfriend have suffered severe mental anguish as a result of the fire. The contact has suffered from traumatic dreams and hallucinations since the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and deemed a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The contact then filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2022
My cars check engine light has come on at 87,659 miles with a p0420 code. My dealer has determined that this is a defective catalytic converter and because of the mileage it is not warrantied. In doing research the 2012-2016 Kia Soul with the 1.6 gdi engine. My car is a 2017 experiencing the same symptoms as the cars a year older. The recall campaign is 19v120000 with the NHTSA and SC 176 with KIA dating back to 04/17/2019. My cars model year being a 2017 had not been determined at that time to be effected as the mileage had not yet accumulated to the mileage of the previous years. Now that my 2017 car had reached the mileage in which previous cars where effected , it too is experiencing this defect. The safety issue lies in that when the car is driven it could overheat without any warning lights indicating that and overheating a cylinder, piston damage will occur leading to catastrophic failure that could launch a connecting rod out the side of the engine block and allow oil to spray onto hot exhaust manifold leading to a fire.I would like to see that the recall to cover added years (2017-2019) to this recall as this is a continuing safety issue. The dealership is not wanting to acknowledge and help in this matter so I am filing this complaint to document continuing failures to aid in extending model years covered.
Engine, Jun 21, 2022
We were driving down the highway and the engine started making sounds like something was breaking. I pulled over and then couldn’t start it again. We had to have it towed to the dealership where we were told we needed a new engine without them explaining what happened or why. There were no symptoms of failure prior to the failure itself. Engine failure while driving down the interstate is dangerous and we are lucky nothing bad happened to us.
Engine, Jun 12, 2022
Had my engine blow in my 2017 Kia Soul with 61,000 miles. There was no warning or issues prior
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 10, 2022, crash
I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane to the left of me, and behind me. I had both of my hands on the steering wheel the entire time. I, of course, took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brakes. The brakes were not stopping the car. The car took off and was uncontrollable. I hit the car in the lane to my left, traveled across the same lane, then luckily ran up a curb and onto a median that had grass on it. The car was out of control and moving swiftly. I steered it to the right and off the median (which avoided hitting oncoming traffic head-on). The brakes were not stopping the car. I heard and felt that the car was hitting things: the car to my left, the median, etc.) I think the car may have spun 360 degrees, one complete revolution, and then jumped the curb and went up onto the median again. Again, I steered to the right to avoid crossing the median. The car then spun 180 degrees, and stopped perfectly facing south in the left northbound lane. (I thought I had gone up the median two times; however, maybe it was only once, as my passenger thought. I don't know if it was once or two times up the curb and onto the median. It all happened so fast.) Car was towed away. What failed: the car wildly took off, veering to the left; the brakes didn't stop the car Risk: the car was uncontrollable (except steering somewhat) and moving; if not for the curb and wide median, I would have traveled head-on into oncoming traffic; the car spun as if spinning on ice Reproduced: the car has not been touched; there is a consumer affairs case open with its manufacturer Inspected: by my insurance appraiser, at the dealership Warning: none, was a shocking surprise
Engine, Jun 6, 2022
Engine seized and the piston rod put a hole in the engine block, spilling out all the oil. There was no warning light illuminated before the incident. There were no knocking before the incident. Kia is refusing to replace the engine. Stating I did not take it in to get the safety recall campaign. However, I never received a notice about this.
Engine, May 31, 2022
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH said she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine as she depressed the accelerator. The contact heard a loud bang coming from the engine, smoke began to emit from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off to the left side of the highway and jumped over the highway divider and twisted her left ankle. The police and fire department was not called. The contact did not seek medical attention. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Engine, Apr 27, 2022
Engine failed with no warning it just stalled and started to make a loud knocking noise, loss of power. I've keep up with may car getting oil changes and the engine light never turned on.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 26, 2022
My air bag, ABS and Brake Lights all gave warnings at about the same time, as well as my speedometer going "haywire" on a cold start. I got a recall notice about my airbag (electrical problems) and took it in to Parkway Kia, and was told that the airbag was not part of the recall, and that it would cost $1000 to repair the lights, as several different sensors had gone out at the same time. Included was 5 or 6 repairs that had already been verified that I didn't need. If the dealership is using recall opportunities to push $1000s of unnecessary "maintenance" repairs on their vehicles, no one is going to trust those recalls and this is creating an unsafe driving environment for everyone. I contacted Kia corporate and they stated each shop is "independently owned and operated" and "repairs can be declined." Kia is making a farce of this process and using your agency to perpetuate fraud.
Engine, Apr 24, 2022
My Kia stalled it had thrown a rod there wasn’t any warning the oil had been changed routinely and there wasn’t any check engine lights on