In a highly competitive segment, the 2017 Kia Soul is among the best vehicles. Outstanding seating and load capacity, a high expected reliability rating, and excellent crash test results are all features of the Soul.
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How durable is a 2017 Kia Soul?
A well-kept Kia Soul typically has 200,000 kilometers or more on it. The most recent models should last longer. In terms of longevity, the Kia Soul now competes with Honda and Toyota models.
What issues is the 2017 Kia Soul experiencing?
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.
Hood unlatching while driving
An unexpected hood latch issue with potentially harmful results has been reported for the 2012 Kia Soul. This flaw was observed to occur in some owners at little under 40,000 kilometers. While driving, the hood can self-unlatch, damaging the hood and shattering the windshield. This often requires a $1,700 repair charge, the most of which goes for a new windshield.
Kia Soul Problems
Notably, the 2013 model year’s issues largely stemmed from the 2012 Soul. Some of the 2013 Soul’s problems, such defective wiring harnesses, were also present in the older models. Here is a closer look at some of the 2013 Kia Soul issues that you might need to be aware of:
Knocking/ticking noise from the engine
This is connected to the 2012 Kia Soul recall notification that was previously reported. Engine failure can be heard most frequently by 2013 Kia Soul owners as a loud knocking or ticking noise. One reason for this is a connecting rod puncture into the engine block, which results in a significant amount of engine oil leaking out. While the majority were covered by the recall, some owners had to spend between $4,000 and $5,000 to repair the complete engine.
Steering problems
The 2013 Kia Soul experienced steering problems, same as the 2012 model. This can most obviously be heard as a clunking, clicking, or knocking sound. Many owners claimed that switching out the steering coupler solved their issues. This component has a history of failing in certain Kia models. For the Soul, it may cost as much as $560, while other owners found that the entire steering rack needed to be replaced.
Kia Soul Problems
A second recall for 342,381 Kia Souls was announced by Kia on September 29th, 2017. This time, they made a notice that the steering pinion gear might separate, which might prevent you from steering at all. The following one involved the melting catalytic converters that impacted 378,967 Kia Souls in 2019. The fourth recall, which involved 294,756 Kia Souls, was issued on December 2, 2020, due to a potential engine fire.
The following are some of the most annoying Kia Soul issues that keep 2014 model year owners up at night:
The majority of owners have reported total engine failures, which occasionally necessitated replacing the entire engine. The connecting road has the potential to pierce the engine block, letting engine oil spill. Owners have mentioned pounding noises, unexpected power outages, and occasionally their Souls catching fire. Although the recall should have covered this, some owners were forced to pay for their own repairs, which might run up to $6,000.
Electrical problems
The electrical issues from the first generation of the Soul persisted in the second generation despite a complete redesign. Although this time, the 2013 Soul’s electrical issues are mainly focused on the external lighting. The wire harness’s connection to the external lights can occasionally come unlatched.
The inferior bulb connector, which is prone to burning out, is another flaw. The turn signals, brake lights, and headlights may not switch on or off as a result of this. Alternately, it can flicker or blink repeatedly while you’re driving. Some Kia dealers have been recorded billing owners of 2014 Kia Souls more than $400 for a repair, despite the fact that it is not a very expensive fix.
Steering problems
The steering faults from the earlier, first generation automobiles are still present in the 2014 Kia Soul. When rotating the steering wheel, there will be a loud clunking or clicking sound that will be audible. Again, the steering coupler, which is prone to early failure, is to blame. It is built of inferior materials and is prone to disintegrating, which would render your steering utterly useless.
Kia Soul Problems
We won’t need to go into great detail about the 2015 Kia Soul’s issues. The majority of the prevalent worries date back to the 2014 Souls and some even earlier. The same 4 recalls that were listed for the 2014 model year affected the 2015 model year of vehicles. This relates to possible engine fires, fracturing of the accelerator pedal, pinion gear separation, and catalytic converter damage (since 2012).
The most frequent issues we’ve previously mentioned have been resurfacing on the 2015 Kia Soul. This involves catastrophic engine failure and an early steering coupler failure. The solutions must be comparable. However, the expenses have gone up because the larger, more complicated 2.0-liter engine is where most of the 2015 Soul’s engine issues occur.
However, there are a few particular Kia Soul issues with the 2015 model year. Here are a few of them:
Faulty air conditioning unit, and heater
The 2015 Kia Soul’s heater and air conditioner have a tendency to fail over time. One reason is that the drain pipe for the A/C unit under the car may become obstructed. One owner claimed that there was water trickling from the vents and wetness blowing from them. Other owners reported that their heaters sometimes don’t operate completely, which results in the windows fogging up and occasionally freezing.
Car not starting
The alternator is typically the source of electrical issues for the 2015 Kia Soul. Batteries can occasionally fail while being used by owners. Others have pointed out that the battery has the ability to short out, which may indicate a larger design flaw with the electrical systems.
Kia Soul Problems
The number of complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul decreased from those for the 2014 and 2015 models. It underwent two recalls, both of which were due to issues with earlier model years. The Kia Soul’s faulty catalytic converter was the subject of a recall notice in 2016. A problem like this has existed since the soul of 2012. It included 378,967 Kia Souls powered by 1.6-liter gasoline engines.
The steering pinion gear was the subject of a separate recall, as was already mentioned. There have been 304 complaints overall about the 2016 Kia Soul. The majority of the issues are the same as those we’ve already mentioned since the 2014 Kia Soul. As a result, we won’t go into great length about them with the 2016 model year.
Owners of the 2016 Kia Soul report that the most common issue is engine failure, despite the fact that this is covered by a recall. The 2015 Soul’s electrical issues still exist, which prevent it from starting. A/C and heater problems from the 2015 automobile were still present. This also applies to the clunking sounds experienced when maneuvering the automobile, which started happening in 2012 with new models.
Kia Soul Problems
Some owners complained that their engines were smoking, losing power, dying, or making loud knocking noises. Around 80,000 miles is the possible distance. Even though this is a rare problem, fixing it can be expensive. Frequently, a brand-new engine would have to be fitted, costing in the neighborhood of $6,000.
Kia Soul Problems
The 2018 Kia Soul likewise saw few issues, with only 76 complaints, in keeping with the gradual dependability improvements. Engine and electrical issues make up the lion’s share of the significant concerns. When examining the Soul’s history, we reported earlier that several Kia cars caught fire around 2018. Similar to this, other owners had mentioned that the engine of their Soul had caught fire.
The 2018 Kia Soul was not subject to a recall, and those affected are still a small minority of owners. Although there is no known cause, the symptoms include hearing strange noises while the engine is operating. Other issues with electrical systems include the car not starting or a faint burning odor. This is not a prevalent problem, to reiterate.
Kia Soul Problems
There is a relatively tiny sample size to deal with because the car is considerably more recent. The majority of owners would not have been able to put enough miles on their cars for issues to arise. The 2019 Kia Soul has only accumulated 31 complaints as of the time of writing. Problems with the brake pedal are the main worry for the 2019 model year.
The brake pedals on some Soul owners’ vehicles would lock up or become jammed to the floor. But even when the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes themselves would occasionally just partially activate. The brake pedals have been pumped by owners in an attempt to fix the problem, however this has failed. Due to their drivers’ inability to brake, Kia Souls have repeatedly rear-ended other vehicles.
Kia Soul Problems
The third version of the Kia Soul was released to the public in 2020. It’s interesting to note that the 2020 Kia Soul has seen an increase in complaints, which as of this writing total 120. New cars or the “first batch” of a new generation may experience this. The engine and transmission of the 2020 Kia Soul are its two main points of contention.
Owners have reported that the engine would abruptly increase in revs while driving for no apparent reason, followed by a complete shutdown of the vehicle. The issue hasn’t been fully diagnosed, although it may be connected to the transmission. Dealers have informed owners that certain transmissions contain metal particles inside of them, which might lead to premature failure.
Since this is a brand-new model, thankfully the guarantee should cover these issues. Owners, however, reportedly had to wait almost two months before receiving their vehicle once more. As of now, Kia has not officially issued a recall due to this issue.