VehicleVerdict

2023 Kia Soul problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2023 Kia Soul is among the quieter years of the Soul on NHTSA's books: 86 complaints (70% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 41 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (14), engine (13), and electrical system (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

86

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

41

Injuries

3

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Soul years?

Soul NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted1,215 complaints2010: 193 complaints2011: 270 complaints2012: 670 complaints2013: 862 complaints2014: 1,215 complaints2015: 1,215 complaints2016: 1,135 complaints2017: 351 complaints2018: 284 complaints2019: 189 complaints2020: 480 complaints2021: 297 complaints2022: 132 complaints2023: 86 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 18 complaints
Soul NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Soul years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Kia Soul problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1416%
Engine1315%
Other1214%
Electrical System1214%
Steering89%
Brakes89%
Airbags56%
Transmission45%
Lighting33%
Speed Control33%
Fuel System22%
Tires & Wheels11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2023 Kia Soul have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V099000EngineFebruary 17, 2025 · 137,256 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

23V830000AirbagsDecember 22, 2023 · 2,967 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.

23V531000TransmissionJuly 31, 2023 · 39,765 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.

23V298000Electrical SystemApril 26, 2023 · 108,936 units

Defect

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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence

A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I was backing up into my parking place in an alley way. I was turning slightly to the right to fit in and the car started to accelerate. I hit the back wall with the rear of my car. I put the car into drive not realizing it was still accelerating. I had my right foot on the brake. When I put the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 20, 2024 · crash

“Before the accident which my car was totaled, I would take it in with issues. Electrical lights coming on the car would stop .my transmission locking up . I would tell them that there was something wrong with the car . I had videos to show pannel lights coming on at 70 on freeway and car locking up…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2026 · crash

“ Event Summary: The incident involved a 2023 Kia Soul, a relatively new vehicle, which had been in use for only three months at the time of the incident. The driver, hereafter referred to as the "operator," was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking space. SUA Occurrence: Right before the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 16, 2023 · crash

“Before the accident which my car was totaled, I would take it in with issues. Electrical lights coming on the car would stop .my transmission locking up . I would tell them that there was something wrong with the car . I had videos to show pannel lights coming on at 70 on freeway and car locking up…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 9, 2026 · crash

“When driving my vehicle under normal conditions, the car will unexpectedly slow down on its own, and the system brake lights and hazard lights will activate as if I am about to be in a collision, even though no accident is occurring. I have noticed this issue most frequently when I am stopped at a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 20, 2025

2023 Kia Soul — common questions

Is the 2023 Kia Soul reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 86 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Soul year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2023 Soul problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (14 complaints), engine (13 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints).

Does the 2023 Kia Soul have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2023 Kia Soul under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Soul years should you avoid?

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

How safe is the 2023 Kia Soul?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Kia Soul earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.