Kia Soul Review for 2022 The 2022 Kia Soul is among the finest subcompact SUVs in part because to its generous interior and storage room as well as its simple infotainment system. However, compared to certain rivals, it is less enjoyable to drive.
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Do Kia Souls have many issues?
The Kia Soul dominated the market for more than ten years with its boxy appearance, which people either love or detest, good safety ratings, and a long list of standard amenities. Today, the Soul is among Kia’s best-selling vehicles and is still a serious competitor in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
Despite being a reliable small SUV, there have been several problems, complaints, and recalls across a number of model years. There are some Kia Soul years to stay away from when purchasing used.
The worst Kia Soul years to steer clear of due to reliability difficulties are listed below, along with the safest years for used purchasing.
Which Kia Soul Years to Avoid?
If at all possible, stay away from buying a secondhand Kia Soul from one of the following model years:
- Kia Soul 2012
- Kia Soul (2013)
- Kia Soul (2014)
- Kia Soul 2015
- Kia Soul 2016
Kia Soul
The 2012 Kia Soul should be avoided at all costs, according to the people from Car Reports, who cite 470 NHTSA complaints. Body integrity issues and flawed safety features were its principal shortcomings.
Clunking noises when turning are this Soul year’s most prevalent problem. Owners have mentioned hearing a clunking or popping sound when rotating the steering wheel. Additionally, some owners have heard loud rattles when driving on roads or hitting small bumps. Owners are perplexed that there hasn’t been a recall because this body integrity issue is so prevalent.
The 2012 Soul’s unlatched hood while driving is another potential issue. Although this is a rare problem, it poses a serious safety risk, particularly on roads or freeways.
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Kia Soul
Several owners of the 2013 Soul have suffered engine failure, which has been known to occur at roughly 85,000 miles or more. Some users reported hearing a banging sound emanating from the engine, while others just experienced an engine failure. The expected fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which will set you back a whooping $5,000.
A few owners reported that their Soul’s engine had started to make a ticking noise, which is less serious. The ticking noise, which may be anywhere from mildly bothersome to frighteningly loud, compels owners to visit their nearby Kia dealership. With an average repair cost of $4,100, we cannot recommend the Soul model year.
Kia Soul
The 2014 Kia Soul is the greatest loser in terms of complaints. The 2014 Soul is unquestionably one of the worst Kia Soul years to stay away from, receiving more than 900 complaints. Similar to the 2013 Kia Soul, the 2014 model similarly receives a pitiful 1 out of 5 stars from Consumer Reports.
One of the 2014 Soul’s most serious problems, according to a number of Consumer Reports owners, is engine failure. This issue appears to be connected to the oil pump in the Soul, which results in higher-than-normal oil consumption by the engine. One owner said that the car began requiring a quart of oil every 300 miles.
The 2014 Soul has a terrible comeback of the engine’s annoying ticking/knocking noise. The initial diagnosis by technicians is that this occurs at about 105k miles and is caused by low oil. However, the owners who are meticulous and keep up with their oil changes are the ones who complain the most.
Kia Soul
The 2015 Kia Soul is another vehicle you ought to stay away from, with more than 700 NHTSA complaints and four recalls to its name. The 2015 model of the Soul has numerous engine problems, just like the other problematic Souls on our list.
Engine failure is the issue that needs to be addressed first. Around 80k miles is the typical mileage at which this problem appears. Many customers have noted that the engine initially made knocking or ticking noises or began to burn more oil. The Soul’s engine finally just stopped working. You will be responsible for paying the estimated $4,620 cost of the engine rebuild or replacement if this occurs.
Excessive oil use is another area of concern. It seems that the engine guzzles oil like it’s nobody’s business when it’s not breaking down.
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Kia Soul
The number one issue with the 2016 Soul, as measured by the severity scale, is a blown engine. According to several accounts, the 2016 Soul’s engine is prone to blowing up, particularly after 90k miles. This is not only dangerous, but an engine replacement will cost you almost $7,000 as well.
Additionally, Kia Soul owners complained that their car simply won’t start. Although there are indications that there may be a battery issue, most concerns are unrelated to this.
Common Kia Soul Problems
Although the Kia Soul is extremely reliable in every way, there are a few persistent issues that impact cars from a few years ago. Here are a few examples:
- spike in cruise control There are rumors that some Soul models have a surgey cruise control technology. Owners reported that when the SUV was in cruise control mode, it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down to a crawl. As of the time of writing, Kia has not yet addressed this potentially deadly problem.
- a ticking clock
- Although it’s not the most typical of Soul models, 2013 Soul owners find it extremely annoying. Hearing loud knocking or ticking noises emanating from the engine is not enjoyable. The Kia Soul has yet another problem with its engine.
- spinning while clicking
- The 2012 Soul’s clunking sounds when turning were a problem for owners. This is unquestionably a body integrity issue that Kia overlooked.
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Kia Soul
One of the most dependable Kia Soul generations was the second one ever produced. A adaptable, reasonably priced, and all-around useful compact SUV is the 2011 Soul. Car Complaints awarded the 2011 Soul a “Pretty Good” Seal of Approval for dependability, stating that it is “pleasant to drive, roomy, and trustworthy.”
Kia Soul
The 2018 Soul features a huge luggage area, a roomy interior, a nimble turbocharged engine, and top-notch reliability ratings. In fact, the 2018 Soul received a fantastic Quality & Reliability score from J.D. Power of 84 out of 100.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul made a victorious comeback the following year with its 2019 year model. The 2019 Kia Soul received praise for its smooth ride, great utility, and respectable fuel efficiency. You may put your reliability concerns to rest because the 2019 Kia Soul received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5.
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Are Kia Souls reliable vehicles?
Yes, the Kia Soul is a good automobile, especially if you’re looking for something that’s dependable, stylish, and reasonably priced. The brakes are effective, and the engine accelerates rapidly. Furthermore, the inside is spacious and comfy. The Kia Soul is a great SUV option all around, featuring essential features and well-liked improvements.
Why are Kia Souls so popular?
Undoubtedly among the most recognizable cars on the road is the Kia Soul. The smooth ride and spacious interior of this boxy Kia are further reasons why drivers adore it. However, the Soul isn’t as well-liked as it previously was, based on Kia’s most recent sales statistics.
With over 90,000 units sold in 2019, the Kia Soul is now the brand’s most popular vehicle. With only over 66,000 units sold this year, its sales decreased by approximately 30%. What reduced the Kia Soul’s appeal to motorists in 2020?
How long do Kia Souls last?
Like any car, the Kia Soul needs regular maintenance. Your Kia Soul could last up to 200,000 miles with regular oil changes and dealership maintenance.
This means you should routinely change your oil and have your SUV inspected for fluid leaks and other problems. The right tires must fit properly.
Some of the Soul’s safety measures ought to keep your Kia running smoothly. Airbags, anti-lock brakes, brake assistance, and electronic stability control are a few of these.
The user-friendly technology in the Soul also makes long drives more comfortable. Although it may not handle as well as some vehicles of a comparable class, it will securely get you from point A to point B.
The Soul was ranked third among subcompact SUVs by U.S. News, fifteenth among crossover SUVs, and eleventh among SUVs with two rows. Additionally, it was named the finest subcompact SUV for the money in 2021.
Kia Soulsare they popular?
It’s really simple to suggest the Kia Soul as a vehicle. The Soul is quirky, useful, and packed with functionality. It also does so for a rather reasonable price. However, the new Seltos SUV from Kia, which debuted in the range last year, can be claimed to be comparable. Furthermore, there might not be place for both as Kia looks to the future.
In a Wednesday interview at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia’s vice president of marketing Russell Wager stated, “We’re monitoring right now how Soul and Seltos connect.” The two cars are similar in size and feature content, and Kia has noticed that many consumers visit a dealer looking for one car but frequently leave with another.
Wager said that the Soul lacks all-wheel drive whereas the Seltos does. That was a common complaint we received from Soul customers. He stated once more that an AWD Soul is not planned. “It isn’t. That won’t happen.”
Wager said that Soul still has devoted supporters in Southern markets where all-wheel drive is not necessary when asked if Kia intends to continue selling the two alongside one another. Customers “come in on Soul and walk out with the all-wheel-drive Seltos” in the Northeast and Northwest, however.
Sales of soul music haven’t fully declined, though. In actuality, the Soul continues to outsell Seltos. However, those figures are dropping. Kia sold 147,000 Souls at the model’s peak year of 2015; by 2020, that number had dropped to fewer than half. The Seltos, meanwhile, keep moving forward.
Kia is moving toward a future that is more and more electrified, making the case for the Soul even more difficult. It was originally planned to sell the current Soul EV in the US, but those plans were abandoned. And a new electric Soul looks even less likely in light of the approaching EV6 and a number of other EVs.
The Soul appears to be holding constant for the time being, offering both naturally aspirated and turbocharged models in addition to an X-Line grade for those who like an SUV-like appearance, like a Seltos.
Are Kia Soul vehicles secure?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also performed its own collision tests on the Kia Soul for Carson buyers. See the NHTSA’s safety ratings for the Kia Soul below, which place it once again at the top of its category: The overall rating is 4. Four stars for a frontal crash.
How do Kia Souls handle the winter weather?
When fitted with snow tires, the Kia Soul can manage snow pretty well. The Soul has front-wheel drive, which, when combined with the engine’s weight distributed over the wheels, results in good traction. The Soul is a good option for winter driving thanks to a number of comfort and safety features.
When did the Kia Soul experience issues?
We now know what the Kia Soul is and a broad overview of some of the problems it encountered. It would be wise to start compiling a more thorough list of the usual problems with Kia Souls right now. From 2010 until the most recent model year sold in the US, 2020, we’ll be covering all of them. Not its EV sibling, but the Soul with an internal combustion engine will be the subject of our examination.
The majority of the engine issues that plagued the 2016 and earlier models appear to have been addressed by the new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. However, it’s important to note that some Kia vehicles had fires in 2018. Later, the Center for Auto Safety requested that Kia conduct a recall of all Soul models produced between 2010 and 2015. The Kia Soul was never involved in the voluntary recall that Kia started in 2019.
In this review of Kia Soul troubles, we’ll walk you through some of the most prevalent problems encountered throughout the course of the model years. Read on to learn more if you’re considering purchasing a Soul or if you already own one and want to know if it will catch fire.
Kia Soul Problems
The main problem involved a stop lamp switch that wasn’t working properly. This will prevent the brake lights from turning on when you brake and can make it impossible for you to turn off the cruise control. Furthermore, the push-button ignition may be impacted by a bad stop lamp switch. It may result in the transmission leaving “Park” without the driver first pressing the brake.
The following are a few of the most frequent Kia Soul issues for the 2010 model year that you should be aware of:
Electrical problems
With more than 19 complaints made to the NHTSA, this is the 2010 Kia Soul’s worst issue. There is a noticeable popping sound coming from the radio as a symptom of this. Even when driving, it can occasionally cause some interior lights to randomly illuminate. The electrical components of the Soul, including the air conditioner, power windows, sunroof, and wipers, may also come to a complete halt as a result.
The electrical harness Kia was using at the time, which is prone to premature failure, was shown to be the primary problem. Additionally related to this are the wiring’s built-in temperature sensors and the loose soldering. These issues may also result in short-circuiting, which makes smoke within the vehicle apparent. A complete wiring system replacement is the suggested solution to this problem. This occurs typically at 60,000 miles or less in mileage.
Faulty suspension
The hard ride of the Kia Soul was another significant problem, as mentioned in many evaluations at the time. The entire suspension system may prematurely wear down as a result of this. It is known that the suspension begins to make unwelcome noises after traveling about 25,000 miles. The average cost of a repair is roughly $800. But the suspension flaws also affect the joints, bearings, suspension, and shock absorbers.
It can break down after around 68,000 miles of ownership and result in loud vibrations or the tires rubbing against the wheel well. Even with careful and moderate driving, this still occurs. The typical price to replace these parts is roughly $1,800. However, one owner ended up paying more than $8,000 in repairs after having to replace the shock absorbers and struts three times.
Engine failures
Engine issues also plagued the first generation Kia Souls. The coolant leak in the car is the most notable cause. Even without a warning light flashing or the temperature gauge rising, this can still occur. The engine may start to run until it eventually stops. In other cases, the engine needed to be completely replaced. The typical mileage for this problem is roughly 144,000 miles, and the average repair price is $1,700.
Engine problems
There were numerous distinct engine issues with the 2011 Kia Soul. The engine seizing up and resulting in a loss of power is the most frequently reported one. This is attributable to either a damaged oil pump or an oil pan leak. Additionally, owners had reported failed thermostats and cracked head gaskets. With barely 109,000 miles on the odometer, one of these owners had to replace their thermostat four times and their head gaskets twice.
Additionally, several owners have reported that the engine made a loud knocking noise when driving that reduced acceleration. Another owner of a 2011 Kia Soul also claimed that the engine exploded and caught fire. This occurred after only about 12,000 miles of moderate use.
Electrical issues
Similar to the 2010 model year, the 2011 Kia Soul had a number of electrical problems. The most frequent of them is a defective alternator, which can break down even at relatively low miles. The wiring harness in the Kia Soul could malfunction, much like it did the year before, which would prevent some auto functions from working. The horn may not sound when pressed or may honk erratically for some owners.
The electronic stability control on the Soul is another significant electrical flaw (ESC). The ESC can occasionally activate suddenly, which will cause a rapid loss of power while driving. Despite having excellent traction and driving on a dry surface without speeding up, this happened to one owner. A broken ESC may also prevent the car from shifting gears, putting it in limp-home mode.
Drivetrain (mostly transmission) problems
The drivetrain of the 2011 Soul was the subject of a wide range of grievances. Transmission problems are the most expensive and frequently reported issue. Within barely 72,000 miles, one owner said they had to replace their clutch twice. Every time the owner had to replace it, the cost was about $1,400. A defective valve on the slave cylinder of the transmission, which would cause slippage, is the root of the problem.
Another owner, meantime, stated that after only 22,000 miles, their clutch and flywheel had broken. Infrequent responses from the Soul’s transmission would also result in abrupt up- or downshifts. Leakage was caused by the transaxle failing, which was another significant issue. It frequently needs to be completely replaced, and an owner said that a dealer had estimated the cost at $650.
Kia Soul Problems
The 378,967 Kia Souls with the 1.6-liter gas engines that were sold between 2012 and 2016 are included by the recall notice. High exhaust temperatures are the main culprit since they risk harming the catalytic converter. As a result, the engine would operate improperly and sustain damage. Additionally, the connecting rod could fracture and pierce the engine block. This may result in an oil spill and a fire.
In addition, the most typical Kia Soul issues for the 2012 model year are listed below:
Steering problems
The steering of the 2012 Kia Soul has been the subject of many customer complaints. When rotating the steering wheel, many owners say they hear and feel a clunking, clicking, or knocking sound. The steering wheel could frequently turn with a lot of play (or looseness). Owners claim that the flex coupling is the main area of failure.
Engine problems
Over 100 complaints have been made about the 2012 Kia Soul’s engine and powertrain problems. As was previously reported, this was a component of the significant recall Kia issued in 2019. The engine’s primary issue is catalytic converter failure brought on by excessive heat, which might also seriously harm the engine. Even without a temperature warning or a check engine light, this could still occur.
The combustion process in the engine may operate improperly due to the heat. A broken connecting rod is one effect of this. The engine block or oil pan may then be directly punctured, leading to leaks. As the engine oil would seep onto other, hot moving parts of the car, this may possibly start a fire. Owners have also reported misfiring, engine knocking, and smoke coming from the exhaust and engine bay.
Difficulty, or hard shifting
The 2012 Kia Soul’s transmission has frequently experienced shifting issues, according to its owners. Upshifting with hesitation or “hard” shifts that induce lurching when driving are signs of this. This is possible at about 60,000 miles. The transmission’s malfunctioning heat sensor is the main culprit in this. Alternately, a complete cleanse of the transmission fluid and the replacement of the gearbox gasket may be necessary.