The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Soul · 2023

2023 Kia Soul. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index73100 = average car
Complaints54NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold61,263U.S. model year
Per 100K sold88complaints

Engines and drivetrains 1

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD28 / 33 / 30Regular$2,100

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 6,800 and 36,000 miles. Median 18,500, from 6 complaints with a mileage.

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
Electrical26%
Engine26%
Lane assist15%
Steering15%
Brakes15%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
5461618

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 25V099000 Feb 2025 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

    Risk. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

  • 23V830000 Dec 2023 Air Bags

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.

    Risk. An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.

  • 23V531000 Jul 2023 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Fluid/Lubricant / Pump

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.

    Risk. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

    Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.

  • 23V298000 Apr 2023 Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Risk. A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedKia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness20252025

Manufacturer communications 51

Kia filed 51 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Soul SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandard & OptionalStandard

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
202029321071,862Engine
2021956975,126Engine
2022896757,820Engine
2023735461,263Electrical
2024633052,397Electrical
2025–1250,133Lights

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

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