Wagon
2023 Kia Soul: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Not rated yet
Owners have filed 95 complaints about the 2023 Kia Soul with NHTSA, and it has 4 recalls. We don't rate it yet: a rating needs sales figures to turn complaints into rates.
Owner complaints
95
filed with NHTSA
Recalls
4
on record
Fuel economy
31 mpg
best version, EPA combined
Fuel, 5 years
$6,581
12,000 mi a year, $3.40/gal
What owners complain about most
Engines and fuel economy
| Version | Drive | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 mpg |
| Automatic (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 mpg |
Recalls
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalFeb 17, 2025 · campaign 25V099000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Air BagsDec 22, 2023 · campaign 23V830000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Fluid/Lubricant › PumpJul 31, 2023 · campaign 23V531000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/PanelApr 26, 2023 · campaign 23V298000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Before you buy
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Other years of the Kia Soul
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Not rated yet |
| 2024 | Not rated yet |
| 2023 | Not rated yet |
| 2022 | Not rated yet |
| 2021 | Not rated yet |
| 2020 | Not rated yet |
| 2019 | Not rated yet |
| 2018 | Not rated yet |
| 2017 | Not rated yet |
| 2016 | Not rated yet |
| 2015 | Not rated yet |
Questions people ask
What problems does the 2023 Kia Soul have?
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA: driver-assist & stability (18), engine & cooling (15), electrical system (14). We don't rate it yet, so this count isn't a reliability score: popular cars get more complaints.
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Soul have?
4 recalls on record with NHTSA.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Soul get?
Up to 31 mpg combined (EPA), depending on the engine.