The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Soul · 2017

2017 Kia Soul. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index48100 = average car
Complaints63NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold115,712U.S. model year
Per 100K sold54complaints
Year rank#3 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD24 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)FWD26 / 31 / 28Regular$2,200
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
ElectricAuto (A1)FWD120 / 92 / 105Electricity$700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 94,100 miles. Median 74,000, from 117 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine82,00068,000–102,00075
Electrical20,000600–63,0007
Transmission & drivetrain79,70044,000–84,10010
Fuel or ev drive system72,50016,500–97,8006
Airbags40,00012,000–53,00011

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine43%
Airbags14%
Electrical8%
Brakes8%
Fuel or ev drive system8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
272171413040

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 22V031000 Jan 2022 Air Bags

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 102

Kia filed 102 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
  • PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
  • TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 1.6L T-GDI AUXILIARY CANISTER INSTALLATION (SC190) - This bulletin…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Soul SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Kia Soul EV SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201466105145,316Steering
20156695147,133Engine
201681118145,768Engine
20174863115,712Engine
20186976104,709Engine
2019343498,033Engine
202029321071,862Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data