IllustrationTiene problemas de bolsas de aire y se enciende el bombillo constantemente
2019 Kia Soul
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Kia Soul do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 225.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Soul years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
725–50K
850–75K
475–100K
11100–150K
0150K+
45 reports with mileage · 91 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reportsAir Bag did not properly inflate in collision. This caused impact to steering wheel which resulted in severe bruising. Has not been reproduced or inspected. Accident occurred December 32, 2021. No warning of failure, and no recall from manufacturer.
Seat belts do not lock in place when braking, but randomly lock in place while cruising. Severe electric discharge from vehicle, as well as power surges causing lights to burn out repeatedly.
Rear Windshield Spontaneously Shattering - 11:10pm EST August 20th. I left my residence and approached my car from behind in the parking lot. It was dark but my rear windshield was definitely in one piece and had not previously had any damage. I opened the driver door. As I sat in the seat, I heard what sounded like pebbles sp…
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Rear Windshield Spontaneously Shattering - 11:10pm EST August 20th. I left my residence and approached my car from behind in the parking lot. It was dark but my rear windshield was definitely in one piece and had not previously had any damage. I opened the driver door. As I sat in the seat, I heard what sounded like pebbles spilling. I looked behind me and noticed that the entire rear windshield had shattered and fallen out. This could have caused great harm and surprise especially while driving on the freeway, or with passengers in the back seat. A police report was collected.
The vehicle stalls when trying to pick up speed and when trying to accelerate from a traffic light or stop sign. The vehicle also gets stuck in park and the release button does not work and takes it takes a long time to get the car out of park when it is stuck. The signals also go out at any given time and this problem can las…
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The vehicle stalls when trying to pick up speed and when trying to accelerate from a traffic light or stop sign. The vehicle also gets stuck in park and the release button does not work and takes it takes a long time to get the car out of park when it is stuck. The signals also go out at any given time and this problem can last up to an hour.
Bought a 2019 Kia Soul+ and after hitting a few hundred miles outside the 60,000 warranty the engine dies to the point Kia has to replace the whole engine.
I was backing out of a parking spot. As I tried to brake in order to slow down and turn my car around to leave the lot, the brake seemed to be stuck against the floor and wouldn't work, the steering wheel also locked, and I couldn't shift from reverse to drive or park. Before I knew it, my car had rolled back and came to a stop …
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I was backing out of a parking spot. As I tried to brake in order to slow down and turn my car around to leave the lot, the brake seemed to be stuck against the floor and wouldn't work, the steering wheel also locked, and I couldn't shift from reverse to drive or park. Before I knew it, my car had rolled back and came to a stop on a metal pole, causing moderate damage to the back corner of the driver's side.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA SERVICE CENTER 1137 U S 46, STE A, CLIFTON, NJ 07013 (973) 779-7000 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OIL CONSUMPTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA SERVICE CENTER 1137 U S 46, STE A, CLIFTON, NJ 07013 (973) 779-7000 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE VEHICLE OIL WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTICED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
THE FUEL INJECTORS GET STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FLOOD WITH GAS. ONE WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY BY MORITZ KIA IN HURST TEXAS IN OCTOBER AND THEY REPLACED IT HOWEVER THEY ONLY REPLACED THE FAULTY ONE L. TODAY A SECOND ONE WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY. SO 2 OUT OF THE 4 FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY ON A CAR THAT'S NOT EVEN A YEAR AND…
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THE FUEL INJECTORS GET STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FLOOD WITH GAS. ONE WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY BY MORITZ KIA IN HURST TEXAS IN OCTOBER AND THEY REPLACED IT HOWEVER THEY ONLY REPLACED THE FAULTY ONE L. TODAY A SECOND ONE WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY. SO 2 OUT OF THE 4 FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY ON A CAR THAT'S NOT EVEN A YEAR AND A HALF OLD. I PLAN TO REPLACE ALL THE ORIGINAL FUEL INJECTORS SO IT WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE HOWEVER I BELIEVE THIS PART IS BEYOND JUST A ACCIDENTALLY FAULTY ONE. THE CHANCES OF HAVING HALF THE INJECTORS IN ONE CAR BE BAD IS UNBELIEVABLE.
VEHICLE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST AND THE EXIT HIGHWAY VIA OFF RAMP. DRIVER CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA IN KNOXVILLE, TN. INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED FAILED IGNITION COIL ON C…
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VEHICLE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST AND THE EXIT HIGHWAY VIA OFF RAMP. DRIVER CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA IN KNOXVILLE, TN. INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED FAILED IGNITION COIL ON CYLINDER #1 AT APPROXIMATELY 22,300 MILES.
Official recalls
122V031000 · Air Bags
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.