Kia Soul 2014–2019
2nd generation (PS)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20264,426 complaints, 2,382 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 2,382
- Median of reported failures
- 80,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (48.2%)
- Recalls
- 6
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 52,000 and 110,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Kia Soul 2014–2019 · 2,382 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 157 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 19 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 12,114
- 25%
- 52,000
- Median
- 80,039
- 75%
- 110,000
- 90%
- 131,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 157 | 6.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 49 | 2.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 55 | 2.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 28 | 1.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 45 | 1.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 33 | 1.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 48 | 2.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 43 | 1.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 52 | 2.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 52 | 2.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 61 | 2.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 62 | 2.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 91 | 3.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 106 | 4.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 127 | 5.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 118 | 5.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 133 | 5.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 111 | 4.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 122 | 5.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 87 | 3.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 115 | 4.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 86 | 3.6% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 106 | 4.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 72 | 3.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 94 | 3.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 51 | 2.1% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 64 | 2.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 33 | 1.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 49 | 2.1% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 23 | 1.0% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 33 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 14 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 19 | 0.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 19 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2019 Kia Soul, and 2,382 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 52,000 and 110,000 miles. The median is 80,039 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (48.2% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (8.7% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles), the electrical system (6.4% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2014–2019 Kia Soul last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2014–2019 Kia Soul were filed by 80,000 miles and 90% by 131,000 miles — figures drawn from 2,382 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
19 reports (0.8%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Soul reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2014–2019 Soul: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,382 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine / exhaust on 2014–2016 cars. 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.
- Check steering on 2014–2016 cars. Steering gear assembly fault allowing the steering wheel to separate from the column; subject to recall.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 52,000 and 110,000 miles, with a median of 80,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 70,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Kia Soul 2014–2019
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Electrical system282 reports64,00034,000–100,000Electrical system: 282 reports, median 64,000 miles, middle half 34,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting195 reports67,00049,000–80,000Exterior lighting: 195 reports, median 67,000 miles, middle half 49,000 to 80,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise385 reports70,00022,000–90,000Problems owners could not categorise: 385 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system248 reports70,00041,000–97,000Fuel and propulsion system: 248 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 41,000 to 97,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline232 reports77,00045,000–98,000Transmission and driveline: 232 reports, median 77,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 98,000 miles.
- Engine2,134 reports93,00071,000–116,000Engine: 2,134 reports, median 93,000 miles, middle half 71,000 to 116,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system249 reports103,00088,000–125,000Engine and its cooling system: 249 reports, median 103,000 miles, middle half 88,000 to 125,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,134 | 48.2% | 93,000 | 71,000–116,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 385 | 8.7% | 70,000 | 22,000–90,000 |
| Electrical system | 282 | 6.4% | 64,000 | 34,000–100,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 249 | 5.6% | 103,000 | 88,000–125,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 248 | 5.6% | 70,000 | 41,000–97,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 232 | 5.2% | 77,000 | 45,000–98,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 195 | 4.4% | 67,000 | 49,000–80,000 |
| Steering | 149 | 3.4% | 38,000 | 12,000–70,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 110 | 2.5% | 70,000 | 10,000–112,000 |
| Airbag system | 103 | 2.3% | 36,000 | 12,000–80,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Kia Soul 2014–2019 · 2,382 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 29% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 58% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.8% of reports (19) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
29% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 22,000–90,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 34,000–100,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 41,000–97,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 45,000–98,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 49,000–80,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 71,000–116,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 88,000–125,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
58% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Exterior lighting — median 67,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 71,000–116,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 22,000–90,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 34,000–100,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 88,000–125,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 41,000–97,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 45,000–98,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
82% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 93,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 70,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 64,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 70,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 77,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 67,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 88,000–125,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 80,039 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 48.2% of complaints (2,134 reports, 1,097 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 93,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 71,000 and 116,000 miles.
A single system taking 48.2% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.7% of complaints (385 reports, 133 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 90,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.4% of complaints (282 reports, 158 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 34,000 and 100,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 5.6% of complaints (249 reports, 222 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 103,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 88,000 and 125,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 5.6% of complaints (248 reports, 93 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 41,000 and 97,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 5.2% of complaints (232 reports, 120 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 98,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2015 model year drew the most — 1,222 complaints — while 2019 drew the fewest at 196. The median year sits at 747.
The first year of the generation, 2014, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), the engine (2), the steering (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,426 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 205 (4.6%)
- Fires
- 333
- Injury reports
- 142
- Fatality reports
- 6
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,221 | 836 |
| 2015 | 1,222 | 705 |
| 2016 | 1,140 | 521 |
| 2017 | 355 | 155 |
| 2018 | 292 | 104 |
| 2019 | 196 | 61 |
Recalls (6) — is your car included?
Apr 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 SC229.
Mar 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. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
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 may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Jan 2021 · 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 of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Apr 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 to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
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 exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Nov 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 Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
What owners reported
My Kia Soul is having identical issues to NHTSA campaign number 19v120000which LED to recall sc176 by Kia which only covered the 1.6L models, not the 2.0L which is the vehicle i drive. I experienced a loss of power and loud knocking type sound while driving. I was traveling approximately 30-35 m/h on a city street. I…
2014 · Engine
Headlights mysteriously begin flickering after using turn signal or flicker without using turn signal. Lights have completely turned off without warning at night creating an extremely unsafe driving condition. Headlights have also flickered hitting bumps in road again causing unsafe driving conditions. I never know…
2014 · 3 miles · Electrical system
Since first oil change done with delray florida Kia i complauof kicking sounds in engine loss of power oil burning smells occasionally. I was told each time they put on computer n nothing wrong. I bought new at 11/2014 now oil lights engine lights flashing on irrationally car consuming oil no leaks just eating iol now…
2014 · 3 miles · Brakes
Built from 2,382 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page