repaired · 2026 Q3
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
2023 Kia SoulProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 55 owner complaints about the 2023 Kia Soul, most often about the engine. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-099 the manufacturer reports only 64% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 11, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2023 Kia Soul has problems
55 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Engine3 crash/fire/injury
14Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
8Steering3 crash/fire/injury
8Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
7Lane departure1 crash/fire/injury
5Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
5Forward collision avoidance1 crash/fire/injury
5Power train1 crash/fire/injury
4Exterior lighting
108 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 2 |
| Steering | 8 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 7 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 1 |
| Power train | 5 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 10 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2023 Kia Soul 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 · 2026 Q3
Air bags
Risk. An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Fluid/lubricant: pump
Park outsideRisk. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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…
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
2023 vs. every other Soul 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 median. How we score
'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2023 Kia Soul safety ratings
2023 Kia Soul SUV FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional
- Lane departure warning: Standard
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2023 Kia Soul, and the recalls they led to.
- Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall EffectivenessNo recall
In owners' words
What Soul owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While driving the engine started shaking and smoke blew out from the tailpipe and then the vehicle stalled. I brought it in and the same thing happened on the way home from the dealership after it was supposedly fixed.
While driving an alarm noise sounds and on the dash a message will appear stating engine off put car in p or n and I cannot accelerate.
Before the accident which my car was totaled, I would take it in with issues. Electrical lights coming on the car would stop.my transmission locking up. I would tell them that there was something wrong with the car. I had videos to show pannel lights coming on at 70 on freeway and car locking up…
Own a 2023 Soul?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.