2019 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 136 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 11 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 12 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
136 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 11, 2019
THE VEHICLE STALLS AND NO RESPONSE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AFTER ABOUT 4 OR 5 SECONDS THE ENGINE RESPONDS TO GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN TURNING OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHEN TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IT HAPPENS, THEN IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO DEALER YET.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2019
AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PLACING THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE CAR SHUTTERS OR SHAKES HORRIBLY TO THE POINT IT SHUTS OFF/ DIES. ONE TIME IT DID SHUT OFF ON ME I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT TURNING ON THE A.C. AT IDLE SOMETIMES MIMICS THE ENGINE SHUTTER/SHAKING OR THIS COULD BE LINKED TO TWO DIFFERENT THINGS
Service brakes, Sep 29, 2019
I CAN BE STOPED ON THE ROAD WITH THE BREAK PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY AND THE CAR STILL MOVES FORWARD. AT SOME POINTS AT STOP LIGHTS I PUT MY CAR IN PARK SO IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPEN A LOT SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2018.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 19, 2019
DRAIN PLUG MISSING WHICH CAUSED A LEEK IN VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO BREAK WHILE DRIVIVNG CAR STOPPED WORKING, WAS TOWED THEN FOUND THE DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING PLEASE HELP I HAVE BEEN READING AND FOUND OTHER CASES LIKE MINE ON THE KIA SOUL. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY ON THRE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A GAS STATION WHERE I SLEPT IN THE CAR OVER NIGHT THEN CALL A TOW COMPANY TO TAKE ME TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP. THERE THEY TOLD ME THEIR FINDINGS.I HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON 05/20/19, AT A KIA DEALERSHIP IN MD. WHERE I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR WAS NOT HANDELED PROFESSIONALLY HENCE THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEM
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Jun 28, 2019, crash
I HAVE A TOTALED CAR DUE TO A WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS HIT MULTIPLE TIMES EXTREMELY HARD.
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2019
CAR WAS PARKED UNDER CARPORT ALL NIGHT. GOT IN THIS AFTERNOON TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING, STARTED CAR, CLOSED DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. IT DID NOT IMPLODE, IT EXPLODED. NO BODY DAMAGE, NO TREE LIMB, NO ROCK, NOTHING HIT OR TOUCHEF THE CAR WHILE UNDER CARPORT. CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK PICTURES AND VIDEO WITH MY PHONE.
Service brakes, Mar 30, 2019
WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS GOING TO THE FLOOR BOARD: SCARY. NOT EVERY TIME--INTERMITTENTLY. WHAT IF THE BRAKES FAIL ALTOGETHER? WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND WITHIN THE FIRST 400 MILES EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FROM 3/16 TO 3/21 THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. THEY FINISHED IT JUST IN TIME FOR MY HUSBAND'S PLANNED VACATION. THE VACATION INCLUDED DRIVING THE KIA OVER 2000 MILES. ON THE WAY BACK, STILL OVER 700 MILES FROM HOME AND JUST PRIOR TO TRAVELLING THROUGH THE SMOKEY'S, THE BRAKES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M TYPING THIS AS I FRET ABOUT WHETHER HE WILL MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. I CALLED THE SHOP HE IS SCHEDULED TO GO BACK IN ON MONDAY. I HOPE HE MAKES IT HOME SAFELY TO GET TO THAT APPOINTMENT AND THAT THEY CAN REALLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 27, 2019
FRONT GLASS PANEL OF SUNROOF SHATTERED AND FAR RIGHT/LEFT CORNERS ARE CAVING IN
Engine, Mar 22, 2019
WHEN IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE IN NORMAL POSITION, CAR OCCASIONALLY JUMPS AND INCHES VERY SLIGHTLY FORWARD. TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING DRIVER MUST BE PRESSING VERY VERY FIRMLY ON BRAKE TO THE POINT WHERE DRIVER FEELS TENSION IN HER LEG. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY A DOZEN TIMES SINCE CAR PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY.
Structure, Wheels, Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2019
WALL TRIANA HWY MADISON WAS BEING PAVED ON WEDNESDAY 2/27/19. THEY HAD SPRAYED SOME TYPE OF LIQUID TAR ON THE ROAD FOR PREPPING. MY CAR IS COVERED WITH THE BLACK SUBSTANCE AND I AM UNABLE TO GET IT OFF. IT HAS COVERED MY REAR WINDOW AND BACK OF CAR. IT IS ALSO ON MY SIDE DOOR PANELS AND UNDER MY VEHICLE,TIRES AND RIMS. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR.
Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2019
THE KIA BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN ITS DARK. YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING YOU CANT DISTINGUISH A GARBAGE CAN FROM A PERSON. I WENT TO THE DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THIS THE WAY THEY ARE. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CHECKED OTHER KIA SOULS AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN IN TOTAL DARKNESS THE PROBLEM GETS EVEN WORST.