Kia · Soul · 2019
2019 Kia Soul
1
Recall
128
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2019 Kia Soul has 1 recall and 128 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (55 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2019 Kia Soul page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 55 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2019 Kia Soul currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 128 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (55), unknown or other (7), engine,fuel/propulsion system (5).
- Vehicle
- 2019 Kia Soul
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 128
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
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.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
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
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V031000January 25, 2022
AIR BAGS
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.
Owner Complaints
128 totalENGINE
Apr 13, 2026
On [XXX], while my vehicle was at the dealership for a federally mandated engine replacement recall (Campaign PI2107Y/Z), the service department attempted to obstruct the completion of the safety repair. The dealership informed me that unless I paid a 264.40 fee for maintenance a...
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Apr 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began shaking violently and made a loud knocking sound. The contact experienced a loss of automotive power, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the catal...
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ENGINE
Apr 2, 2026
I have always taken my 2019 Kia Soul to the dealership in Quincy IL, where I had purchased it from as the first and only owner. I have recently drove it to work and it made an awful noise and started to run rough. Upon taking it to the dealership I learned that cylinder number 3 ...
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ENGINE
Mar 20, 2026
Engine has 86k miles and has been well maintained. Recently it started to consume oil rapidly as per last oil change report. We took it to dealership after oil change mechanic suggested needing to have problems looked at per Kias recent service bulletins on high oil consumption ...
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STEERING
Mar 11, 2026
2019 Kia Soul has an issue with the steering wheel coupling that needs to be replaced. This has been confirmed by a mechanic. There is a warranty extension on the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) rubber coupling - 10 years/100,000 miles - for the 2019 Kia Soul. For some reason,...
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ENGINE
Mar 9, 2026
I have a code of P0420 show up on a vehicle diagnostic test. This is directly related to recall SA363 ECU LOGIC . The engine light kept coming on. I was driving on the highway and the car stalled and then stopped as I was coming off the exit.
AIR BAGS
CRASHFeb 12, 2026
This vehicle was seriously damaged in a crash. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was totaled. Another vehicle went through red light and crashed into my car.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 1, 2026
Unknown but told by multiple mechanics that the kia soul eats oil and the engine constantly runs dry which is pricey and unfair
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 22, 2026
I’ve had nothing but problems with this car since about a year after getting it in 2021. Constant noises with the engine engine check light coming on all the time I would bring it in and no one would be able to figure out what was going on. And then it started to get worse and I ...
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POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS,ENGINE
Jan 12, 2026
Sudden vibration on the engine while driving. No power upon acceleration. Heavily oil consumption. Had a problem on the seat belt with in couple of year of purchased, however the dealer fixed it for free. Catalytic converter was brooked at 80k milage exactly when the warranty o...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 128 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2019 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Soul Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Soul have?
The 2019 Kia Soul has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2019 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has received 128 owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Kia Soul.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2019 Kia Soul?
The 2019 Kia Soul received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Soul?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2019 Kia Soul are engine (55 reports), unknown or other (7 reports), engine,fuel/propulsion system (5 reports).
Does the 2019 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2019 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.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
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.