Kia · Soul · 2017
1
Recall
261
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2017 Kia Soul has 1 recall and 261 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (145 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Driving on busy highway with one passenger. Vehicle began losing power and acceleration, but no warning lights came on. Kept driving for 20 miles and oil warning light came on, but temp vuage registered fine. I parked, checked fluid amounts, and oil was extremely low (even though it had been checked the week prior and was full). Put 2 quarts in, started vehicle and warning lights went off. Proceeded back on to highway, drove 5 miles and engine lost acceleration and started knocking loudly, and all the warning gauges lit up. I pulled into parking lot, turned off the vehicle. Checked oil level and it was fine. Got towed home. Fairly certain it's the rod bearing. Engine has about 103,000 miles on it and has been well maintained. I see so many of this exact complaint, but our year model seemed to be ignored with a recall. Have loved our Kia's until now. Watchable got Hyundai?
We heard a ticking noise, and took it to the autoshop. After investigating, they found that it was a total engine failure. The mechanics encouraged us to check the vin number, because total engine failure for the 2017 Kia Soul was very common. Our vin did not appear in this recall, but all the symptoms are the same. We've had regular maintenance, and it's less than 80k miles.
While driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and total engine seizure and loss of power (stalling), creating a life-threatening hazard in traffic . A certified Kia technician diagnosed a seized short block, multi-cylinder misfires (P0300-P0304), and a hole in the exhaust valve. This failure is identical to the defects in Recall SC176 and the Engine Litigation II Settlement. Furthermore, the dealer previously refused my request for the KSDS safety software update, which would have prevented this catastrophic seizure by triggering Limp Home Mode.
While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle suddenly lost power and entered limp mode. Acceleration was severely limited, making it difficult to maintain speed in traffic. The vehicle was later diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code P1326, which is associated with engine rod bearing failure. This caused an unexpected loss of engine power and created a safety risk while driving. The vehicle had to be taken to a dealership for inspection due to the severity of the power loss.
Owner of 2017 White Kia Soul that has peeling paint. I've never owned a vehicle that paint peeled like this. I understand there are other owners with the same issue. This issue first started in May 2025 on driver's side near roof that I paid out of my pocket to repair. Now I have same issue on the passenger side. Very disappointed
I have a white 2017 Kia Soul. I bought it new in 2017. The paint is peeling off really badly. Something is not right. This is not wear and tear paint peeling it is massive all around the car, especially the hood. The whole hood is peeling. My friend has an old 2011 Kia and his paint is fine. Please help
The engine failed while driving on the highway, putting myself and others at risk. First the car started shaking, then the check engine light flickered. Fortunately, I was able to get off the highway, but I was far from home. The engine failure was confirmed by an independent service center and a dealer. The vehicle was inspected by a third party and since it was still under warranty, the engine was rebuilt. A few weeks later, the check engine light came on again, this time 0420 code. The dealer where I purchased the vehicle called it in to the warranty company, and they have reset the check engine light and asked me to keep driving the car to see if the light comes back on. All of this happened after the car had undergone oil consumption testing, and a previous claim for a new engine had been denied both by the warranty company and the manufacturer.
Engine Failed Mid Drive. Started with knocking sound then went into limp mode and then shut off and did not want to start. Car failed in the middle of traffic and could of injured me and others. I've read of other failures of the same models but for some reason the 2017 model isn't eligible for the settlement even though the same issues are present in the 2017 Kia Soul Models. Had to have my vehicle towed home.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report that a Kia dealership of garden grove, ca falsely recorded a safety recall as “completed” on my 2019 Kia Soul Upon review from another kia dealer, I discovered that the recall repair — essential to prevent engine failure — was never actually performed. My engine has now failed catastrophically (broken connecting rod at 128,600 miles), consistent with the known risks that recall was meant to address. This misrepresentation by the dealership not only endangered my safety but also undermines the recall process intended to protect consumers. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter and ensure accountability for the dealer and manufacturer. To answer your questions more directly. : 1.Connecting rod exploded out of engine. Kia is aware of thier faulty torque on said part. 2 My wife was driving on the free way with her kid at the time and could have caused a major accident. 3.yes they had a class action lawsuit against the recall. 4. The car is waiting at kia dealer. I was told that the update they didnt do that was put out in 2022 was not done when bought and brought to said dealer in January 2024 and that another recall was said to be done but was not done . 5. There was a knocking or shaking but when asking the mechanics hired by the dealer they said it was the rotors . We replace the rotors and a week later the connecting rod shot out of the engine.
I was driving and all a sudden my engine light came on and the car started like stuttering with no power very scarey. The mechanic said the 3 power train warranties on my car would not fix he said I need a new engine and I still owe like 12000 ugg.
Perform check engine light diagnosis. Heard knocking noise at any speed even at idle. Added 2 quarts of oil. P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold Bank 1. The engine is consuming too much oil and has a noise coming from the valve train. Also, a slight rod bearing knock. Our auto mechanic had told us to check with Kia Dealership because it is a known issue on this vehicle. But the Kia declined to repair.
I’ve had to get three oil changes in just five months of owning my vehicle. Honda of Brandon sold it to me with a clean Car-Fax report, but I’m now facing a possible manifold and catalytic converter replacement costing $4,200. When the service department called the warranty company, they claimed it was a catalytic converter issue, but it turned out to be an O-2 sensor, which would cost about $460. One month after purchase, I had to replace the ignition coil and requested spark plug replacements, though I wouldn’t have known if a spark plug was bad. That repair bill alone came to $802.17, just a month after buying the car. Problem with battery. Oil has to keep being replaced and no one knows since not on ground has to be going in the engine. service rpt are Aug/19, 2025, jan 20,2026
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the mechanic detected a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine rod bearing and camshaft failures. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
2017,Kia soul plus brakes failed with no warning and we crashed into an intersection and hit a dump truck. I suffered severe broken bones including a compound femur fracture and broken arm. I was trapped in the car for over a hour. Both my arm and leg have rods and pins now. I also suffer from severe ptsd and nightmares. I hospitalized from 6/25-7/4, and in a nursing home until 7/4-8/1, learning to walk again. I received the voluntary recall letter on 7/11when I was in the nursing home. It was sent too little too late. I’m contacting an attorney and Kia deserves to pay. Kozlowski towing took the care away. I do not know if they still have it
Backup camera no longer works; when in reverse, the screen is totally blank, no image and no guide lines.
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.
My car is losing oil and the light does not come on to tell me when oil runs low I have been to Coral Springs Kia in the Coral Springs automall many times and they have all my records.
My 2017 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) is experiencing piston ring failure, which has led to excessive oil consumption and the failure of my catalytic converter. The engine is a 2.0L Nu MPI—the same engine type covered under Kia recalls SC176 and SC200—but my VIN is currently excluded. This is a known manufacturing defect that causes oil to enter the combustion chamber, damaging the catalytic converter and violating emissions standards. The repair costs are unaffordable for my family, and Kia refuses to cover them despite California’s extended emissions warranty and identical symptoms to covered vehicles. Many other owners of 2017 Kia Souls with the same engine are also reporting these issues. I am requesting that NHTSA expand the recall to include my VIN and investigate Kia’s exclusion of affected vehicles with the same engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact called on behalf of her neighbor who owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic replaced the starter. The contact stated while the neighbor was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The driver was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was pushed to a business place parking lot, where the mobile mechanic diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Engine is running very rough. At a low idle, the engine turns off. Today the car turned off 11 times. A diagnostic reading shows all four cylinders misfiring.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2017 Kia Soul has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 261 owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul.
The 2017 Kia Soul received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2017 Kia Soul are engine (145 reports), unknown or other (15 reports), air bags (12 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2017 Kia Soul. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.