Kia Soul years to avoid

The Kia Soul years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2020, 2011 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2025 is the cleanest year on record.

7,535

Total complaints

Recall campaigns

2010–2025

Years covered

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Kia Soul NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Soul years to avoid

Year	Why	Complaints	vs avg
2014	High complaint rate	1,223	4.1×
2015	High complaint rate	1,222	4.1×
2016	High complaint rate	1,146	3.8×
2013	High complaints + open investigation	866	2.9×
2012	High complaints + open investigation	673	2.2×
2020	High complaint rate	500	1.7×
2011	Open safety investigation	270	0.9×

Every Soul year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Investigations
2025	21	0	0
2024	42	0	0
2023	89	4	1
2022	133	1	1
2021	310	2	1
2020avoid	500	1	1
2019	198	1	1
2018	292	1	0
2017	355	1	0
2016avoid	1,146	2	1
2015avoid	1,222	4	3
2014avoid	1,223	5	3
2013avoid	866	3	4
2012avoid	673	3	5
2011avoid	270	3	3
2010	195	3	3

Common questions

What are the worst Kia Soul years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Soul years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2020, 2011. The cleanest year on record is 2025.

What is the best year for the Kia Soul?

By complaint volume, 2025 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Soul years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Kia Soul have?

Across all model years, the Soul has 15 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 7,535 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.