Kia Soul years to avoid
More than twice the Soul's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Kia Soul years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Kia Soul complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Kia Soul problems
All model years combined.
- Engine3,429
- Steering524
- Electrical523
- Transmission434
- Fuel system371
- Brakes360
- Lights256
- Airbags203
- Acceleration180
- Body141
- Driver assistance96
- Visibility95
Kia Soul problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | - | 13 | Lights | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2024 | - | 31 | Electrical | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | - | 54 | Engine | 20,000 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2022 | 87 | 97 | Engine | 69,000 | 1 | 4 | Fewest complaints |
| 2021 | 77 | 244 | Engine | 65,000 | 2 | 12 | |
| 2020 | 62 | 390 | Engine | 13,500 | 1 | 9 | |
| 2019 | 84 | 140 | Engine | 50,000 | 1 | 11 | Fewest complaints |
| 2018 | 78 | 221 | Engine | 54,100 | 1 | 15 | |
| 2017 | 74 | 273 | Engine | 74,000 | 1 | 17 | |
| 2016 | 35 | 824 | Engine | 82,000 | 2 | 28 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 30 | 903 | Engine | 87,955 | 4 | 34 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 29 | 904 | Engine | 88,000 | 5 | 33 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 42 | 669 | Engine | 91,000 | 3 | 23 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 51 | 516 | Engine | 87,000 | 3 | 25 | |
| 2011 | 75 | 194 | Brakes | 55,000 | 3 | 27 | |
| 2010 | 77 | 135 | Electrical | 20,000 | 3 | 23 | Fewest complaints |
Recalls 15
Kia Soul warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
Compare the Soul
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Questions about the Kia Soul
What years of the Kia Soul should you avoid?
2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Each has more than twice the Kia Soul's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2014 alone has 904, mostly about engine and lights.
What is the best year for a used Kia Soul?
2022, 2010 and 2019 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (97, 135 and 140).
What is the most common problem with the Kia Soul?
Engine, with 3,429 complaints across all years, followed by steering (524) and electrical (523).
How many recalls does the Kia Soul have?
15 recalls between 2010 and 2025. The 2014 model year has the most, with 5.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Kia Soul?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history