NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 5 recalls, 46 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Kia Soul.
30 mpg combined
7.8 L/100km
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2023 Kia Soul draws the most complaints around lane departure and driver assistance features, where owners describe the system issuing false warnings or intervening unexpectedly, pulling or nudging the steering when no lane crossing is occurring. Engine concerns make up the next notable cluster, with owners reporting stalling, rough running, and unexpected power delivery issues. Steering complaints describe the wheel pulling to one side or feeling unresponsive during normal driving. A handful of owners also report the instrument cluster going blank while driving, leaving them without speed and warning readouts. Tire wear comes up across a few reports as well, with owners noting significant tread deterioration and rubber chunking at relatively low mileage despite regular rotations. Horn failure, the horn simply producing no sound, shows up in isolated reports.
46
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Kia Soul has 5 recalls, the most serious being two overlapping fire risks from the transmission's electric oil pump assembly, which can short circuit and overheat, and a separate engine defect where faulty piston oil rings can cause internal engine damage that may lead to a stall or fire.
The oil pump fire risk and the engine issue together represent the most urgent concerns on this vehicle. On the engine side, incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings can damage the engine internals over time, potentially causing the engine to stall without warning while driving or, in more serious cases, to catch fire. The transmission's electric oil pump assembly carries its own separate fire risk through an overheating circuit board that can short circuit, with prior repair attempts not fully resolving the issue across all affected vehicles.
On the safety equipment side, the side curtain airbags on certain vehicles can deploy without warning due to a manufacturing error, which can startle and injure occupants or cause the driver to lose control. There is also an electrical concern: vehicles equipped with a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster can start up with a completely blank display, leaving the driver without access to warning lights, tire pressure readings, or other indicators that would normally signal a developing problem. Both the airbag and instrument cluster defects are real-world consequences a driver would notice immediately, whether through a sudden airbag deployment or a dashboard that shows nothing at startup.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can damage the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine if needed, and install piston-ring noise sensing system software, both at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing error may cause the side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The circuit board in the transmission's electric oil pump can be damaged, causing it to short circuit and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission electric oil pump assembly and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump may have damaged electrical components that cause the pump to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The digital instrument cluster screen may go blank when you start the vehicle, leaving you without dashboard information or tire pressure warnings.
What the fix does
Your dealer will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore normal display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
