Kia Soul: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
5,602 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Soul, model years 2010 to 2025. 11 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2014 (engine 7.6×); 2015 (engine 8.5×); 2016 (engine 7.8×); 2013 (engine 4×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2010, 2019, 2011. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 SoulFEW REPORTS | 135 | quiet: 1 of 10 | 3 | |
| 2011 Soul | 194 | quiet: 3 of 10 | 3 | |
| 2012 Soul | 516 | engine 2.9× | 3 | |
| 2013 Soul | 669 | engine 4× | 3 | |
| 2014 Soul | 904 | engine 7.6× | 5 | |
| 2015 Soul | 903 | engine 8.5× | 4 | |
| 2016 Soul | 824 | engine 7.8× | 2 | |
| 2017 Soul | 273 | engine 2.6× | 1 | |
| 2018 Soul | 215 | engine 1.9× | 1 | |
| 2019 SoulFEW REPORTS | 140 | engine 1.3× | 1 | |
| 2020 Soul | 390 | engine 3.3×, transmission 7.6× | 1 | |
| 2021 Soul | 244 | engine 2.5× | 2 | |
| 2022 SoulFEW REPORTS | 97 | engine 1× | 1 | |
| 2023 SoulFEW REPORTS | 54 | — | 4 | |
| 2024 SoulFEW REPORTS | 31 | — | 0 | |
| 2025 SoulFEW REPORTS | 13 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Soul at your mileage
The verdict depends on where your mileage sits against the mileages owners reported. Pick your year and mileage: free, no sign-up.
Other Kia models
Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2011201220132014201520162017201820202021