2019 KIA SOUL

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine internal

    3 stranded, 23 unsafe

    26
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 90,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST AND THE EXIT HIGHWAY VIA OFF RAMP. DRIVER CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA IN…"~22,300 mi, complaint #1711983
    • "The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at a low rate of speed, an abnormal, burning odor began to emit from the vehicle. As the odor grew stronger, the contact's wife parked and exited the vehicle. Soon after exit…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1950346
    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle…"~101,003 mi, complaint #1886947
    • "The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact purchased the vehicle four months ago. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while…"~120,000 mi, complaint #2137699
    • " Last year my car started knocking and there was a smoldering smell. I expected Kia to consider the function of the rod knock sensor which caused P1326code. I advised capitol kia of both knocking noises and a significant burning smell. Per an extended warrant…"~136,779 mi, complaint #1972201
  2. #2

    engine oil consumption

    21 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    23
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA SERVICE CENTER 1137 U S 46, STE A, CLIFTON, NJ 07013 [REDACTED…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1728595
  3. #3

    engine stall or no start

    6 stranded, 11 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE VEHICLE STALLS AND NO RESPONSE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AFTER ABOUT 4 OR 5 SECONDS THE ENGINE RESPONDS TO GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN TURNING OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHEN TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IT HAPPENS,…"~4,500 mi, complaint #1628090
    • "AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PLACING THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE CAR SHUTTERS OR SHAKES HORRIBLY TO THE POINT IT SHUTS OFF/ DIES. ONE TIME IT DID SHUT OFF ON ME I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT TURNING ON THE A.C. AT IDLE SOMETIMES MIMICS THE ENGINE SHUTTER/SHAKIN…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1618276
    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30–40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer wa…"~10,500 mi, complaint #1944384
  4. #4

    airbag system

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "I HAVE A TOTALED CAR DUE TO A WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS HIT MULTIPLE TIMES EXTREMELY HARD."~20,000 mi, complaint #1579074
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AND INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEH…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1710560
    • "I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON RTE 13 WITH MY 4 CHILDREN. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55MPH AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS BETWEEN 55-60 MPH...WHICH IS THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING. AS IM APPROACHING TO PROCEED PASS INTERSECTION RTE 13 & EDEN ALLEN RD THERE'S A CAR AT THE STOP…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1711811
  5. #5

    brake hydraulics

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger’s side rear brake lights malfunctioned and were replaced on several occasions. While replacing the brake light bulbs, the contact discovered that the light bulb sockets were c…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1913938
  6. #6

    catalytic converter

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Catalytic converter to be replaced at 94.000 miles following check engine light."complaint #1977307
    • "I was driving home from work on the highway. The check engine light came on. I made a mental note to tell my son, who is a mechanic. The engine stalled out. I had enough momentum to take the exit from the highway and turn onto a side street before the car quit…"complaint #2019217
    • "Have been using 2-3 quarts of oil a week also lost power could not get it to run took it to the mechanic again he informed me the catalytic is going bad and as much oil as it is going through it might blow at any time "complaint #2052299
    • "I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a recurring issue with my 2019 Kia Soul, which I believe falls under the same circumstances addressed in the recent recall for earlier models of the same vehicle. Despite my vehicle's VIN not being part of the…"complaint #2064473
    • "My 2019 Kia Soul has had excessive oil consumption issues since we bought it in 2022 or 2023. This week, the check engine light came on, and the mechanic says it is the catalytic converter. This could be a potential fire hazard if we don't take care of it, and…"complaint #2092484
  7. #7

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FRONT GLASS PANEL OF SUNROOF SHATTERED AND FAR RIGHT/LEFT CORNERS ARE CAVING IN"~2,000 mi, complaint #1552343
    • "CAR WAS PARKED UNDER CARPORT ALL NIGHT. GOT IN THIS AFTERNOON TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING, STARTED CAR, CLOSED DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. IT DID NOT IMPLODE, IT EXPLODED. NO BODY DAMAGE, NO TREE LIMB, NO ROCK, NOTHING HIT OR TOUCHEF T…"~6,500 mi, complaint #1557732
  8. #8

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the power steering became inoperable causing the driver to lose control of the steering and nearly crashed into a secon…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1811796
  9. #9

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Drivers side back brake light kept going out and now sometimes the whole tail light goes out."complaint #1978456
    • "There is water filtration in the upper stop lamp. This happens while driving under heavy raining conditions."complaint #2133965
  10. #10

    other

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WALL TRIANA HWY MADISON WAS BEING PAVED ON WEDNESDAY 2/27/19. THEY HAD SPRAYED SOME TYPE OF LIQUID TAR ON THE ROAD FOR PREPPING. MY CAR IS COVERED WITH THE BLACK SUBSTANCE AND I AM UNABLE TO GET IT OFF. IT HAS COVERED MY REAR WINDOW AND BACK OF CAR. IT IS ALS…"~4,500 mi, complaint #1546171
  11. #11

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY DURING THE SUMMER WHERE THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 95 DEGREES. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DOWN THERE BY THE CONSOLE CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR FIVE MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF, THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAI…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1691836
  12. #12

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, vibrated, and made a knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer, and it was determined that the…"~122,000 mi, complaint #2158227
  13. #13

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The dash had a electrical burn smell then smoke started coming out. There were children in the car. Unsure if the dash was on fire we stopped and started removing the area the smoke was coming from. The knob that controls the fan speed for the heat/ac had burn…"complaint #1820290
    • "2019 Kia Soul with 63900 miles fan control switch overheating causing harness to turn black. Failure of Ac due to this defect. The Ac Control unit was replace under warranty because of a fan control swith failer in the past. The vehicle is unsafe when these co…"complaint #1912013
  14. #14

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the ABS and AED warning lights were occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone and scanned. The contact was informed that the HECU Solenoid Volt…"~28,763 mi, complaint #2047980
  15. #15

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE KIA BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN ITS DARK. YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING YOU CANT DISTINGUISH A GARBAGE CAN FROM A PERSON. I WENT TO THE DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THIS THE WAY THEY ARE. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I C…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1541973
  16. #16

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE IN NORMAL POSITION, CAR OCCASIONALLY JUMPS AND INCHES VERY SLIGHTLY FORWARD. TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING DRIVER MUST BE PRESSING VERY VERY FIRMLY ON BRAKE TO THE POINT WHERE DRIVER FEE…"~1,100 mi, complaint #1550943
  17. #17

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On [XXX], while my vehicle was at the dealership for a federally mandated engine replacement recall (Campaign PI2107Y/Z), the service department attempted to obstruct the completion of the safety repair. The dealership informed me that unless I paid a 264.40 f…"complaint #2200433
  18. #18

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Engine failure fluid leek and wire burning smells engine burst into flames from the under carriage of the engine. The contact wants to see if there are any recalls and if so should the car be sold at msrp price."complaint #1962730
  19. #19

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE FUEL INJECTORS GET STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FLOOD WITH GAS. ONE WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY BY MORITZ KIA IN HURST TEXAS IN OCTOBER AND THEY REPLACED IT HOWEVER THEY ONLY REPLACED THE FAULTY ONE L. TODAY A SECOND ONE WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY. SO 2 OUT O…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1723648
  20. #20

    fuel pump

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot and parked. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light…"~56,000 mi, complaint #2009952
  21. #21

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic receiving an undercoating, the independent mechanic performed an inspection of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the inspection, the independen…"~46,200 mi, complaint #2109124
  22. #22

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Safety at risk:yes Lack of visibility Problem has not been reproduced by dealer. Smells are only warning signs: Smell is like rubber but not very strong. WARNING SIGNS OF the PROBLEM: Turned on heat and EXTREMELY HOT HEAT CAME OUT OF VENTS; turned A/c and EX…"complaint #1985695
  23. #23

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I purchased a 2019 Kia Soul in June 2022. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has been stolen three separate times. During at least one theft, the steering column was damaged to bypass the ignition, and responding officers indicated the theft method was consisten…"complaint #2225810
  24. #24

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2019 Kia Soul has an issue with the steering wheel coupling that needs to be replaced. This has been confirmed by a mechanic. There is a warranty extension on the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) rubber coupling - 10 years/100,000 miles - for the 2019 Kia So…"complaint #2186532
  25. #25

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • " While driving on the freeway, last month mid to late Feb, My steering wheel started spinning in one direction,. The control arm on the right side of the vehicle came off of the car's right front wheel and I skidded to the side of the road at approximately 65…"complaint #1972202
  26. #26

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DELAY THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN DRIVING AND YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESPOND AND YOU HAVE TO PUT THE PETAL TO THE FLOOR. NO REACTION TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BUT RPMS IN RED. ALSO WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT , STOP SIGN ETC AND…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1704479
  27. #27

    tire failure

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The size of the tire is 235/45 R18 94V I was driving my car in my neighborhood and all of a sudden my tire went flat. I took it to be repaired and it's blown out on the side and can't be repaired. I have on a little over 14,000 miles on my car and have had reg…"complaint #1858706
  28. #28

    transmission automatic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Dct transmission, actuators . Design flaw. Electrical problems. "complaint #1967911

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA SOUL directly.