Kia Soul 2014–2019 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (PS)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,247 complaints, 1,762 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2014 Kia Soul
Close- Median failure report
- 88,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 902
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine553 reports · median 103,000 mi
- Exterior lighting130 reports · median 67,000 mi
- Electrical system98 reports · median 70,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — air bag/restraint control module · Engine · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Kia Soul
Close- Median failure report
- 88,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 902
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2015
- Engine631 reports · median 93,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise108 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system77 reports · median 65,000 mi
Recall areas Engine · Steering · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Kia Soul
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 816
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine561 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise123 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system106 reports · median 101,000 mi
Recall areas Engine · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Kia Soul
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 272
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine191 reports · median 82,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise32 reports
- Electrical system19 reports
Recall areas Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Kia Soul
Close- Median failure report
- 54,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 219
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Engine141 reports · median 71,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline31 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise30 reports
Recall areas Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Kia Soul
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 136
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Engine87 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise19 reports
- Airbag system15 reports
Recall areas Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2014; earliest: the 2019, and the 2014 is 5 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2014–2019 Kia Soul reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 83,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 132,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,762
- Recalls
- 6
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine66.6% of complaints · median 93,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise12.2% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
- Electrical system8.7% of complaints · median 64,000 mi
Owners filed 3,247 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2019 Kia Soul; the engine leads with 66.6% of them, and half of the 1,762 that record an odometer reading came by 83,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 56,000 to 110,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2014–2019 Kia Soul last?
On the 2014–2019 Kia Soul, half of the 1,762 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 83,000 miles and 90% by 132,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
81 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 14 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Soul reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Kia Soul 2014–2019 · 1,762 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 104 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 14 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 15,000
- 25%
- 56,000
- Median
- 83,000
- 75%
- 110,000
- 90%
- 132,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 104 | 5.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 34 | 1.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 39 | 2.2% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 19 | 1.1% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 24 | 1.4% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 23 | 1.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 36 | 2.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 35 | 2.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 35 | 2.0% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 36 | 2.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 42 | 2.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 47 | 2.7% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 67 | 3.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 85 | 4.8% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 91 | 5.2% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 85 | 4.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 100 | 5.7% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 84 | 4.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 95 | 5.4% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 64 | 3.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 91 | 5.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 72 | 4.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 78 | 4.4% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 52 | 3.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 71 | 4.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 38 | 2.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 51 | 2.9% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 28 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 36 | 2.0% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 19 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 25 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 12 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 14 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Soul problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Kia Soul 2014–2019
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Electrical system281 reportsmedian 64,000middle half 34,000–100,000
- Exterior lighting194 reportsmedian 68,000middle half 49,000–80,000
- Problems owners could not categorise397 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 22,000–90,000
- Fuel and propulsion system256 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 41,000–97,000
- Transmission and driveline236 reportsmedian 77,000middle half 45,000–98,000
- Engine2,164 reportsmedian 93,000middle half 72,000–116,000
- Engine and its cooling system243 reportsmedian 104,000middle half 89,000–126,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,164 | 66.6% | 93,000 | 72,000–116,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 397 | 12.2% | 70,000 | 22,000–90,000 |
| Electrical system | 281 | 8.7% | 64,000 | 34,000–100,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 256 | 7.9% | 70,000 | 41,000–97,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 243 | 7.5% | 104,000 | 89,000–126,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 236 | 7.3% | 77,000 | 45,000–98,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 194 | 6.0% | 68,000 | 49,000–80,000 |
| Steering | 149 | 4.6% | 38,000 | 12,000–70,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 111 | 3.4% | 68,000 | 6,500–111,000 |
| Airbag system | 105 | 3.2% | 36,000 | 13,000–80,000 |
Known problems with the 2014–2019 Soul
Engine / Exhaust 2014–2016
Same catalytic converter overheating and consequent piston/connecting rod failure as the previous generation, on the carryover 1.6L Gamma GDI. Recall 19V-120 covers MY2014-2016 cars alongside the MY2012-2013 AM cars.
Steering 2014–2016
Steering gear assembly fault allowing the steering wheel to separate from the column; subject to recall.
Before you buy a 2014–2019 Soul: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,762 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine / exhaust on 2014–2016 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check steering on 2014–2016 cars.
- Years differ here: from 136 to 902 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Soul problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi27% below | At 90k mi56% below | At 120k mi82% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 72,000–116,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 22,000–90,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 34,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 41,000–97,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 89,000–126,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 45,000–98,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 49,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Kia Soul 2014–2019 · 1,762 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 27% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 56% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2014–2019 Kia Soul recalls (6)
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), the engine (2), the steering (1) (why one area can repeat).
Feb 2022 · 2014 · Air BagsFront air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
What can happen. Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
Jan 2022 · 2017–2019 · Air BagsAir bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.…
What can happen. Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Dec 2020 · 2014–2015 · EngineAn engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free…
Feb 2019 · 2014–2016 · EnginePiston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage…
What can happen. Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the…
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter…
Sep 2017 · 2014–2016 · SteeringIf the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
What can happen. If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact…
Mar 2015 · 2014–2015 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
What can happen. If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,247 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 137 (4.2%)
- Fires
- 224
- Injury reports
- 94
- Fatality reports
- 3
Soul problems by model year
The 2014 drew the most complaints of this generation, 902, most of them about the engine, and the 2019 the fewest, 136. A typical year drew about 544.
The first year of the generation, 2014, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 902 | 621 | 88,000† | Engine (553) | 5 |
| 2015 | 902 | 538 | 88,000† | Engine (631) | 4 |
| 2016 | 816 | 362 | 82,000† | Engine (561) | 2 |
| 2017 | 272 | 117 | 74,000† | Engine (191) | 1 |
| 2018 | 219 | 79 | 54,000† | Engine (141) | 1 |
| 2019 | 136 | 45 | 50,000† | Engine (87) | 1 |
What Soul owners reported
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the engine was inspected and it was determined that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact was charged for the diagnostic test. While driving at an…
2015 · 145,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately and lost motive power while driving. The contact was able to continue driving at reduced power. Additionally, there were abnormal sounds coming from under the hood, excessive engine oil consumption, and a plastic burning…
2016 · 140,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact researched and discovered that there were several unknown recalls associated with the VIN. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure.…
2014 · 111,000 miles · Engine
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the exhaust, with an abnormally loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle and became aware that there was…
2015 · 90,000 miles · Engine
Built from 1,762 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Soul generations
- Soul 2010–2013 912 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Soul 2020–2025 257 reports with mileage, most about the engine