2017 Kia SOUL EV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
7,953 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 18 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 44.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 22.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Electrical System: 12; Service Brakes: 3; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Seats: 1; Structure:Body: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 7; 2024: 5; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11525858 · 2023-06-07 (June 7, 2023)
My 2017 KIA Soul EV battery has not been holding a full charge since the beginning of April. The dealer was notified in early May that the charges were seeming to cut off early & provided with a log of charging/driving. We waited, then were told that a replacement battery would be ordered, installed, & considered under warranty. Diagnostic tests were run, we were advised. We were told that the car was safe to drive, although with about 50% of the mileage available (50-51 miles). The final paperwork (vehicle registr.) copy was filed on May 18. N…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538354 · 2023-08-14 (August 14, 2023)
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated she had replaced the battery for second time. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11022704 · 2017-09-11 (September 11, 2017)
MY ALL ELECTRIC HAS A B MODE TO SHIFT IN. SIMPLY PUT IT ENGAGES THE GENERATOR FULLY WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL SO YOU CAN GENERATE ELECTRICITY. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU DO THIS THE CAR BRAKES QUITE QUICK, SO QUICK IN FACT THEY CALL THIS TYPE OF DRIVING ONE PEDAL DRIVING DUE TO THE FACT YOU VERY SELDOM TOUCH THE BREAK EXCEPT FOR A FULL STOP. THE PROBLEM IS THE BREAK LIGHTS DON'T GO ON UNLESS YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BREAK. MY CONCERN IS THE CAR BEHIND ME. IF HE IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND DOES NOT REALIZE I AM SLOWING DOWN AT SUCH A RAPID CLIP BA…
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 11022704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568210 · 2024-01-27 (January 27, 2024)
The 2017 Kia Soul EV+ vehicle turned off coming down a steep hill (at the bottom of the steep hill is both a school bus stop and and entrance/exit to a condominium community). When the car shut off all power steering and power brakes were lost, making control of the vehicle very difficult and unsafe. The dealer reported finding a code for the battery overcharging but cleared the code and did not offer any explanation. This has happened multiple times including when I was videotaping the dash to document irregular discharge occurring from the ba…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11568210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11480710 · 2022-08-23 (August 23, 2022)
The car rolls with the transmission gear placed in PARK. Kia USA has repeatedly failed to acknowledge the problem or respond to my multiple communications regarding this issue. Kia USA has failed to offer an inspection of the problem. There are no warning lights, messages or other symptoms.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11480710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11570798 · 2024-02-08 (February 8, 2024)
Application of the brakes causes complete vehicle shutdown along with message to check electrical system. Brakes appear to fail for a brief moment, then mechanical brakes kick in. Car has zero power until stopped and restarted. Problem is reproducible a high percentage of the time provided the brakes are pressed more than just lightly or briefly. At nearly full charge, this defect can also be triggered by just the engine brake (which is triggered every time your foot is taken off the accelerator). Appears to be an electrical short circuit of s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11570798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11278018 · 2019-11-04 (November 4, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL EV. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CERRITOS (18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, [phone removed]), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,606 miles reported. Look up ODI 11278018 at NHTSA ↗