2017 Kia SOUL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
270 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 117 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 190 of 270 complaints (70.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 37 | 13.7% |
| Braking behavior | 24 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.5% |
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 | 190 |
| Unknown Or Other | 32 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 18 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Steering | 9 |
Engine: 190; Unknown Or Other: 32; Power Train: 19; Electrical System: 18; Fuel/Propulsion System: 18; Air Bags: 16; Service Brakes: 12; Steering: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 31 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 23 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 31; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 153 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 | 7 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 18 |
2017: 7; 2018: 12; 2019: 15; 2020: 29; 2021: 43; 2022: 46; 2023: 41; 2024: 31; 2025: 28; 2026: 18
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 37 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11011914 · 2017-08-01 (August 1, 2017)
JUST PURCHASED FIST KEYLESS ENTRY VEHICLE. DEALER TOLD ME IF THE CAR IS RUNNING AND I WALK AWAY WITH KEYS IN MY POCKET THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF. AT WORK NEXT DAY GOT OUT OF CAR WITH HANDS FULL, WENT INTO BUILDING AND EXPRECTED CAR TO SHUT DOWN THREE HOURS LATER CO-WORKER TELLS ME CAR IS RUNNING OUT IN PARKING LOT. WENT OUT TO INVESTIGATE WITHOUT MY KEY, GOT INTO RUNNING VEHICLE AND DROVE AWAY WITH NO KEY. ANYONE COULD HAVE STOLEN THIS VEHICE IN THAT THREE HOUR PERIOD, I COULD HAVE DRIVEN AWAY AND BEEN STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11024832 · 2017-09-21 (September 21, 2017)
2017 KIA SOUL BLUETOOTH. DOESN'T WORK WITH ANDROID
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11032004 · 2017-10-06 (October 6, 2017)
I PURCHASED MY 2017 KIA SOULS BASE MODEL ON JUN 28 THIS YEAR FROM QUIRK KIA IN BRAINTREE, MA. AFTER JUST 2 WEEKS THIS ISSUE HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS AT A GAS STATION GASSING UP THE CAR, ONCE I WAS DONE, I TURNED THE CAR ON, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ' I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE SHIFTER IN PARK, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN. ON JULY 26 SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN AND IT ALSO HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I GASSED UP THE CAR. ON SEPTEMBER…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11035753 · 2017-10-23 (October 23, 2017)
I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 KIA SOUL +. I HAVE AN ANDROID PHONE AND TOLD THE SALES PERSON I WANTED 2 THINGS. 1) HANDSFREE DIALING AND A BACKUP CAMERA. THEIR DESCRIPTION NEVER STATED, NOR DID YOURS ON YOUR WEBSITE, THAT THE HANDSFREE ONLY WORKS WITH IPHONES. I HAD A 2016 KIA SOUL AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FALSE ADVERTISING. ANDROID PHONE USERS HAVE OVER 55% OF THE CELL PHONE MARKET AND WHY YOU TOOK THIS FEATURE AWAY FROM YOUR CAR IS A BAD MOVE. THEN NOT TO TELL PEOPLE WHEN SHOPPING, IS ANOTHER BAD MOVE. IM SURE LESS PEOPLE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11042733 · 2017-11-02 (November 2, 2017)
VOICE ACTIVATION DOES NOT WORK ON BASE RADIO WITH ANDROID PHONE
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 11042733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11046385 · 2017-11-15 (November 15, 2017)
THE HANDS-FREE BLUETOOTH TELEPHONE CONNECT SYSTEM IN MY CAR, AND ALL 2017 KIA SOUL AND SEDONA MODELS WITH THE BASE STEREO SYSTEM, DOES NOT ALLOW HANDS-FREE OPERATION WITH ANDROID PHONES. ONLY APPLE PHONES ARE SUPPORTED. TO MAKE A CALL WITH AN ANDROID PHONE ONE MUST MANIPULATE EITHER THE HANDSET ITSELF, OR THE RADIO BUTTONS AND KNOBS IN THE DASH. THIS VIOLATES THE DRIVING LAW IN MY STATE AND I'M SURE MANY OTHERS. IT'S ALSO EXCEEDINGLY DISTRACTING AND UNSAFE. THE SALES BROCHURE FOR THESE CARS CLEARLY STATES THAT THE SYSTEM HAS FULL FUNCTIONALI…
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 11046385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11048730 · 2017-11-27 (November 27, 2017)
THE MANUAL DOES NOT SHOW INSTRUCTIONS ON A KIA SOUL MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE KIA SOUL BASE MODEL SEEMS TO BE PURCHASED AS A KIA SOUL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITHOUT THE UPGRADE. THE MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE KIA SOUL MODEL HAS FEATURES AND UPGRADES AND DOES NOT EVEN TOUCH ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11048730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11065921 · 2018-01-30 (January 30, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2017 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A BRUISE AROUND THE TAIL BONE AREA. THE CONTACT HAD AN X-RAY PERFORMED AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD SUSTAINED A FRACTURED TAIL BONE. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR THE FRACTURED TAIL BONE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CLOTH SEAT FABRIC COVERING WAS EXTREMELY THIN. ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO SUMMIT PLACE KIA WEST (4575 PLAINFIELD AVE NE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525, [phone removed]) NEAR ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR. THE MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11065921 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V031000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
NHTSA campaign record ↗