2023 Kia SOUL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
18,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 50 complaints (26.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 16.0% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 14.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 13 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
Engine: 13; Electrical System: 12; Unknown Or Other: 12; Steering: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Air Bags: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Power Train: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (4). 44 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2022: 3; 2023: 15; 2024: 14; 2025: 9; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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 11491280 · 2022-10-28 (October 28, 2022)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP mode and stalled. On another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to vibrate after the accelerator pedal was depressed and the front driver’s and passenger’s side headlights failed to operate. Additionally, the contact stated that she took the vehicle to the car wash and noticed that fuel had leaked onto the tires. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnos…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11491280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500854 · 2023-01-09 (January 9, 2023)
I was parked at the curb in front of a house, the engine running. I tried to go in reverse, nothing happened but my car kept getting closer to the car in front of me til I was touching the car. The person came and moved his car. With difficulty, I turned the steering wheel left and rolled out into the street but couldn't turn left when I tried. I was sitting in the middle of a four way intersection and people had to go around me. I sat there for about 20 min with the engine running, unable to move. Finally the car started to move and I was able…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501026 · 2023-01-10 (January 10, 2023)
Purchased this 2023 Kia Soul on 12/9/2022 from Gateway Kia of North Brunswick, the incident occurred on 12/30/2022 and subsequently occurred a second time after that, I don't have the exact date for the second occurrence. Both occurrences happened with less than 1000 miles on the vehicle. After driving I put the transmission into PARK, with my foot still on the brake pedal, I applied the parking brake (this model has a manual brake you pull not the electric brake) this brake is also known as the "emergency brake" or "hand brake." After a few se…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539009 · 2023-08-16 (August 16, 2023)
On 8/15/23 I received my car back from the dealership after almost a month of repairs, trying to fix the issue where it would turn itself on and where it shut down while driving 45 miles an hour; at various points I was told it was the crankshaft, camshaft, spark plugs, fuel injectors, the pcm and a connector that was overheating. Yesterday, 8/15/23 the car was stuck in a long crank cycle. I notified the dealership. They told me to call kia. I drove the car to pick my husband up from the airport. While driving home the car suddenly accelerated,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533870 · 2023-07-22 (July 22, 2023)
On wednesday July 19th, at approximately 1745 (5:45 pm) I got into my car and started it. I attempted to back out of the driveway and noticed my steering wheel was locked. I pulled forward, and put the car in park. I tried to turn the car off. It then restarted itself, revved the engine, turned the heater on, rolled down the windows and engaged the back up camera. The check engine light came on, the low oil light, and the battery light were all on. The car would not turn off, every time I pressed the off button it would idle strangely and turn…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536727 · 2023-08-06 (August 6, 2023)
On 8/22/23, I purchased a 2023 Kia Soul Sport trim from Kia Atlanta South. Just two days later, the 12V system stopped working, and yesterday, on 8/6, I discovered the car, which I had owned for only two weeks and driven 950 miles, was low on oil. Some of those miles were already on the vehicle when I bought it. I suspect both the electrical system and the engine may be faulty. Despite my concerns, the dealership claimed they had no knowledge of any recalls, despite there being an issued one.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11586687 · 2024-05-03 (May 3, 2024)
Power train: Automatic transmission: Fluid/lubricant: Pump Replacement
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11586687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11586130 · 2024-04-30 (April 30, 2024)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer found no cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,872.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,872 miles reported. Look up ODI 11586130 at NHTSA ↗