repaired · 2025 Q3
Electrical system: software
Risk. Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
2017 Kia Soul EVProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2017 Kia Soul EV, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-724 the manufacturer reports only 55% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 25, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2017 Kia Soul EV has problems
18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
3Service brakes
2Power train
2Engine
1Visibility/wiper
1Fuel/propulsion system
1Seats
1Structure
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2017 Kia Soul EV recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Propulsion system: traction battery
Risk. A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2024 Q3
Air bags
Risk. Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Best & worst years
2017 vs. every other Soul EV year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Soul EV median. How we score
'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2017 Kia Soul EV safety ratings
2017 Kia Soul EV SUV FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2017 Kia Soul EV, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Vehicle RollawayLed to recall 23V-724
In owners' words
What Soul EV owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My car has had intermittent faults of codes P1B25 and P1CF2 and are showing check EV system on the dash. This happens after about 30-45 minutes of driving and then restarting the car. It has been identified that the power relay assembly needs to be replaced on the vehicle, which lives in the high…
When I apply brake the vehicle doesn’t stop it jumps out (as if someone has crashed hitting the rear of the vehicle) and the vehicle shuts down. Then I have to park the vehicle in the middle of the road and restart the vehicle. Luckily I avoided many accidents by defensively driving. Talked with…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal battery voltage warning displayed. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the battery failed to charge. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The…
Own a 2017 Soul EV?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.