2023 Kia Soul problems, complaints & recalls

2023 Kia Soul recalls (4)

• Recall 25V099000Feb 17, 2025137,256 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 23V830000Dec 22, 20232,967 vehicles
  AIR BAGS

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 23V531000Jul 31, 202339,765 vehiclesPark outside
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 23V298000Apr 26, 2023108,936 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  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."

  Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• AQ25001Opened Aug 6, 2025Closed Dec 18, 2025

  Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness

  On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia reques…

Recent 2023 Kia Soul complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026AZCrashTowedBrakes

   My brakes failed to stop my car I was driving down [XXX]. I went to brake because I was going to slow down cause I was just over the speed limit and my brakes went all the way to the floor and I I could not stop the car with the brakes , so I pulled over to the side and slowly came to a halt. I was so shook up. I do not know if I put it in neutral or put it in a lower gear or if I just coasted to a stop. I ended up hitting a guard rail and that slowed me down, but I still…

   NHTSA complaint #11768428 · source
2. Filed Sep 29, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   It appears to get really hot and then it starts to smoke abundantly. And then the car struggles to drive forward. And something about instrument cluster

   NHTSA complaint #11767790 · source
3. Filed Sep 19, 2026AZTransmission & Drivetrain

   I will be accelerating and the car will on occasion start to sputter like it is going to die and loose power on me. It has done it three different times the last time it through a code on my OBD monitor read it and said P0304 the 4th cylinder is misfiring. I took it in and they couldn't see the code or even the history of there being a code thrown. Please help my ladst car that did this needed to have the engine replaced and is recall was issued after we sold it to a junk…

   NHTSA complaint #11765461 · source
4. Filed Sep 4, 2026TXEngine

   While driving an alarm noise sounds and on the dash a message will appear stating engine off put car in p or n and I cannot accelerate.

   NHTSA complaint #11762252 · source
5. Filed Aug 24, 2026KSDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemLighting

   2023 Kia soul purchased brand new. Vehicle does not display speedometer, blinkers don't work, reverse camera doesn't work, nothing displays on dash, continuous alarm sound while vehicle is on. Having no indication of speed traveling or ability to signal turns is a safety concern. failure at approximately 1 year after purchase. Has been in the dealership for repair multiple times without success. Currently been at the dealership for 10 months with no offer of a loaner vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11759038 · source
6. Filed May 26, 2026TXCrash1 injuredTowedElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   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 and would just stop . That's what happened to son driving. My car was totaled. Why should I loose and now I don't have a vehicle .

   NHTSA complaint #11740264 · source
7. Filed May 21, 2026HIEngine

   On may 20 2026 car died out multiple times when driving but would start back up. Today may 21 2026 car was lacking power and engine making noise while driving. Then the check engine light came on also the oil light flashed then turned off. Checked the code it said p00114. Then checked oil it was about 1 1/2 quart low after we did complete oil change a month ago. I then found this engine has the same exact problems we are experiencing and have a recall to replace engine, but…

   NHTSA complaint #11739415 · source
8. Filed May 8, 2026FLWheels & Tires

   205/60R16 Noticed that all 4 of my tires the rubber is peeling went to tire place they said they were chunking and they should not be having 23500 miles on my 2023 Kia soul tires have been rotated every 5000 or so miles

   NHTSA complaint #11736602 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology