Is The Kia Soul Reliable?
Is the Kia Soul a dependable compact crossover, or are there recurring issues owners should consider before buying or keeping one long term?
The Kia Soul is known for its unique styling, affordability, and practicality, making it a popular choice for drivers seeking value. However, reliability can vary depending on model year and engine configuration. Certain years have drawn complaint activity related to engine performance, electrical systems, and transmission components, making it important to review real-world owner reports.
In this guide, we’ll highlight common problems of the Kia Soul. We also encourage you to review official complaint and recall data reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for your model year using the tool above. Before purchasing or before your factory warranty expires, it’s smart to understand what issues have been reported.
We have all the details you need on Kia Soul reliability, repairs, maintenance, and daily driving performance. To give you balanced information, we looked at a range of Kia Soul model years from 2017 to 2024. We also cover common issues with older models, especially from 2012 to 2016.
Affordability
One reason many owners like the Kia Soul is that you can find new models for around $20,000 to $25,000. This comfortable price tag makes any minor repairs easier to deal with. One respected industry leader called the 2023 Kia Soul “one of the best compacts out there,” and highlighted what a great value you get for the price.
Performance
Car and Driver praised the 2020 Kia Soul for its great balance of fuel economy and responsiveness. The base 147-hp 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine delivered solid acceleration, and the turbocharged 201-hp 1.6 liter 4-cylinder provides even more power. Drivers can get around 35 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city.
Warranty Coverage
Kia offers a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Soul. This gives owners plenty of breathing room for engine problems, but it unfortunately doesn’t help with scheduled maintenance costs.
Depending on how expensive dealership repairs are where you live, you may save money by investing in a vehicle protection plan for your Kia Soul. At autopom!, we have a network of top-rated, ASE-certified repair partners around the country.
How Does the Kia Soul Compare to Other Subcompact SUVs?
Are Kia Souls reliable compared to the Trax or HR-V? With a 4.5/5.0, the Soul sits near the top for similar SUVs. For comparison, the Jeep Renegade, Chevrolet Trax, and Nissan Juke scored 4.0/5.0 in dependability. The Mazda CX-3 also has a 4.5/5.0 rating. Only the Honda HR-V manages to outscore the Soul with a 5.0/5.0 for long-term performance.
What Are the Most Common Issues With the Kia Soul?
Overall, Kia Soul reliability is excellent, but some years perform better than others. Here are a few years to look out for.
2014 & 2015
These two Soul years have one of the highest numbers of complaints for engine problems, including complete engine failure and shutdown while driving. The problem is related to a defect in the catalytic converter that causes combustion issues and premature wear on the engine.
These issues affected over 350,000 2014 and 2015 models, many before they even hit 80,000 miles. More worrying is that excessive heat from the catalytic converter can lead to engine fires.
There was a separate recall for 340,000 Souls because of a faulty pinion plug. The pinion gear can separate from the steering assembly, leading to a complete loss of steering while the vehicle is in motion.
2012
The 2012 Kia Soul had a high number of complaints related to steering issues, drivetrain problems, and transmission failure. Many owners needed to replace the flex coupler or steering column, averaging about $800 for the repair. Similar to the 2015 and 2016 models, many 2012 Souls experienced engine damage connected to a faulty catalytic converter at 85,000 miles on average.
2020
The 2020 Soul had a recall affecting about 150,000 vehicles for improper heat treatment of the piston oil rings. This problem may be related to the vehicle’s complaints of excessive oil consumption, which can lead to severe engine issues if not corrected. Transmission issues were less severe, mainly affecting responsiveness and shifting smoothness.
Are Kia Souls Reliable After 100k Miles?
With Kia Soul models from 2017 onward, owner reviews are very positive for the vehicle’s long-term performance and reliability. Many owners mention reaching 115,000 to 150,000 miles without needing any serious repairs. Other Kias have over 200,000 miles and still keep going strong.
Vehicle expert J.D. Power gives the 2017 Kia Soul an 86/100 (Great) reliability rating, 70/100 (Average) for resale value, and 81/100 (Great) in average consumer ratings.
From our analysis, we’d say that 150,000 to 200,000 miles is a reasonable estimate for average usage before issues with the transmission, motor, or drivetrain components pop up. Of course, your personal mileage can vary depending on where you live (weather conditions), how you drive, and how often you perform vehicle maintenance. For pre-owned Kias, you also have to consider how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle.
Are Kia Souls Affordable To Maintain?
Many Kia Soul owners have excellent results with Kia Soul models from 2017 onward. On average, maintenance and repair costs for these vehicles are about $430 a year, which makes the Soul one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs for ownership costs. Other crossover SUVs average at least $460 annually, and general repair costs for all vehicles hover closer to $650.
Another plus is that Kia Souls (2017 to 2024) don’t usually have major breakdowns. Even when the vehicle needs repairs, over 90% of fixes are minor issues. Owners only have a 20% chance of needing to visit a repair shop during the year (outside of scheduled maintenance), compared to a 40% average for other vehicles.
Are Vehicle Protection Plans a Good Value With Kia Soul Reliability?
Considering the exceptional reliability of Kia Soul models, these subcompact SUVs are a great investment for commuters and families. Vehicle protection plans are a good fit for covering repairs when your manufacturer’s warranty ends, making life simpler and less stressful. Our friendly team help you analyze the pros and cons of a VPP for your Kia Soul model year. Contact us for personalized assistance right away.
Kia Soul Reliability — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Kia Soul a reliable vehicle?
A: Yes. The Kia Soul is considered one of the most reliable subcompact SUVs available, earning an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5. Based on owner surveys and automotive data, recent model years (2017–2024) perform especially well in long-term durability, drivability, and cost of ownership.
Q: How does the Kia Soul compare to other subcompact SUVs?
A: The Kia Soul ranks near the top of its class. With a 4.5/5.0 reliability score, it outperforms the Chevrolet Trax, Jeep Renegade, and Nissan Juke, and ties with the Mazda CX-3. Only the Honda HR-V edges it out slightly with a 5.0/5.0 rating.
Q: What are the most common issues with the Kia Soul?
A: While overall reliability is excellent, earlier models—particularly 2012, 2014, and 2015—had notable engine and steering issues. Some vehicles experienced catalytic converter defects that led to premature engine wear or, in rare cases, engine fires. Kia addressed these problems through recalls and warranty repairs.
Q: Are Kia Souls reliable after 100,000 miles?
A: Yes. Many owners report 115,000–150,000 miles with few major issues. With proper maintenance, some Kia Souls have exceeded 200,000 miles. The 2017 model, for example, earned an 86/100 reliability score from J.D. Power for long-term dependability.
Q: How expensive is the Kia Soul to maintain?
A: Maintenance costs are relatively low—about $430 per year on average. That’s below both the crossover SUV average ($460) and the national vehicle average ($650). Most repairs are minor, and only about one in five owners report an unscheduled repair each year.
Q: What kind of warranty coverage does Kia offer for the Soul?
A: Kia provides a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. These offer excellent protection for early ownership, but a Vehicle Protection Plan (VPP) can extend coverage once those warranties expire.
Q: Are vehicle protection plans worth it for Kia Soul owners?
A: Yes. Even with the Soul’s strong reliability record, a VPP can help cover repair costs once the factory warranty ends. autopom! offers nationwide coverage through top-rated administrators, helping drivers avoid unexpected repair bills and maintain peace of mind.
