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 reports
130,000 miles · Dec 8, 2020
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON RTE 13 WITH MY 4 CHILDREN. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55MPH AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS BETWEEN 55-60 MPH...WHICH IS THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING. AS IM APPROACHING TO PROCEED PASS INTERSECTION RTE 13 & EDEN ALLEN RD THERE'S A CAR AT THE STOP SIGN WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR RTE 13 TO CLEAR BEFORE ENTERING. T…
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I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON RTE 13 WITH MY 4 CHILDREN. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55MPH AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS BETWEEN 55-60 MPH...WHICH IS THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING. AS IM APPROACHING TO PROCEED PASS INTERSECTION RTE 13 & EDEN ALLEN RD THERE'S A CAR AT THE STOP SIGN WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR RTE 13 TO CLEAR BEFORE ENTERING. THE DRIVER DECIDED TO DASH OUT TO GO ACROSS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AND TRIED AVOIDING COLLISION BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH TIME. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING MY UPPER BODY TO SLAM AGAINST STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURIES. MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WHERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CALIBER COLLISON WHERE TO THIS DAY IM BEING TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND THE REPAIRS ARE ALMOST COMPLETE. BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT MYSELF ALONG WITH 2 OF MY PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. TWO OF US ARE IN THERAPY. I SUBMITTED IMAGES BELOW BUT WAS UNSURE TO UPLOAD POLICE REPORT SINCE IT HAS SENSITIVE INFORMATION. EITHER CONTACT STATE FARM WITH MY NAME, ETC OR MY EMAIL FOR POLICE REPORT AND FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #11378418
120,000 miles · Dec 2, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AND INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AND INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS, AND FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS IN HER VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, AND ALSO THREE PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS UNINJURED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS LEGS AND KNEES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO DAYS LATER THE MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGER HAD A HERNIA WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEAT PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS INJURED DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE CLAVICLE, RIGHT ELBOW, PAIN AND PRESSURE UNDERNEATH HER LEFT BREAST, UPPER CHEST AND UPPER BACK AND NECK PAIN, AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLCE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11377518
22,000 miles · Nov 5, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
DELAY THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN DRIVING AND YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESPOND AND YOU HAVE TO PUT THE PETAL TO THE FLOOR. NO REACTION TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BUT RPMS IN RED. ALSO WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT , STOP SIGN ETC AND GO TO GO THE CAR DELAYS AGAIN AND YOU HAVE THE GAS PETAL TO THE FLOOR…
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DELAY THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN DRIVING AND YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESPOND AND YOU HAVE TO PUT THE PETAL TO THE FLOOR. NO REACTION TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BUT RPMS IN RED. ALSO WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT , STOP SIGN ETC AND GO TO GO THE CAR DELAYS AGAIN AND YOU HAVE THE GAS PETAL TO THE FLOOR AND AGAIN RPMS IN RED AND YET CAR NOT MOVING CAUSING HIGHLY SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES WHEN DRIVING AND PUTS CONSUMER AT RISK. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW STARTED IN JUNE OF 2020 WITH THIS ISSUE AND HAD 22, 000 MILES ON IT. STILL HAPPENING IN ALL 3 DRIVE MODES ECO, NORMAL AND SPORT. DEALERSHIP TOLD US JUST DON'T DRIVE IN ECO WELL NOW ALL MODES DO IT.
NHTSA ODI #11373146
4,000 miles · Sep 12, 2020
Seat Belts
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY DURING THE SUMMER WHERE THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 95 DEGREES. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DOWN THERE BY THE CONSOLE CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR FIVE MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF, THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAPPENS AGAIN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER. THIS TIME THE LIGHT CAM…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY DURING THE SUMMER WHERE THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 95 DEGREES. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DOWN THERE BY THE CONSOLE CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR FIVE MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF, THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAPPENS AGAIN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER. THIS TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON THREE TIMES IN TEN MINUTES.THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AGAIN 95 DEGREES. I DID TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITIONS TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11354562
5 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Engine
WHILE IN PARK OR WHEN DRIVING AND THE BRAKES ARE PUSHED DOWN FOR RED LIGHTS AND SUCH THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND 'SKIP' UNCONTROLLABLY.
NHTSA ODI #11343788
4,500 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11288532
7,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other
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
NHTSA ODI #11278178
15 miles · Sep 29, 2019
Service Brakes
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.
NHTSA ODI #11258855
29,441 miles · Aug 19, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #11245086
20,000 miles · Jun 28, 2019
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash
I HAVE A TOTALED CAR DUE TO A WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS HIT MULTIPLE TIMES EXTREMELY HARD.
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
1
DP22003 · 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.
2019 Kia Soul Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year