Kia Soul Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
5,538 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 Soul models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported Soul problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Kia Soul models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3,121 | 56% | Diagnose first |
| Electrical system | 521 | 9% | Often in the driveway |
| Steering | 518 | 9% | Diagnose first |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 432 | 8% | Usually a shop |
| Engine and cooling | 406 | 7% | Diagnose first |
| Fuel system | 367 | 7% | Diagnose first |
| Brakes | 357 | 6% | Usually on the spot |
| Exterior lights | 248 | 4% | Usually on the spot |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2015 Soul drew the most complaints (904). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Kia Soul recalls
15 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 Soul models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02 | 25V099000 | 2021–2023 | Engine and cooling | Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 2023-12 | 23V830000 | 2023 | Airbags | An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash. |
| 2023-09 | 23V652000 Park outside | 2011–2013 | Brakes | An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 2023-07 | 23V531000 Park outside | 2023 | Transmission and drivetrain | An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. |
| 2023-04 | 23V298000 | 2023 | Electrical system | A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2022-02 | 22V096000 | 2014 | Airbags | Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 2022-01 | 22V031000 | 2017–2019 | Airbags | Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 2021-04 | 21V259000 | 2020–2021 | Engine | A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2020-12 | 20V750000 | 2014–2015 | Engine | An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 2019-02 | 19V120000 | 2012–2016 | Engine | Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2017-09 | 17V608000 | 2014–2016 | Steering | If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2015-03 | 15V123000 | 2014–2015 | Throttle and cruise control | If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Plus 3 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What Soul owners told NHTSA
“The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts.”
“I was driving down the interstate on my way to work when my check engine light turned on and began flashing rapidly.”
“The melting of this connector caused the engine to start over heating and the a/c to no longer cool.”
“The brakes are not braking the way they should make a grinding noise and then stalled to stop I was on I-285 going home to jasper ga also I've noticed that the gear shifter can go into another gear w out brake on”
What a mobile mechanic can do on a Soul
Most everyday Soul repairs fit in a van, including work on the electrical system, brakes, exterior lights. A mobile mechanic can read codes, test the battery and charging system, replace brakes, starters and alternators, and handle most cooling-system parts where the car is parked.
Transmission rebuilds, internal engine work and anything under a safety recall belong in a shop or at a dealer – a good mobile mechanic will tell you that before driving out. What mobile mechanics can and can't do
What common jobs cost
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | $125–183 | $85–130 | Usually credited toward the repair |
| Battery replacement | $456–493 | $125–250 | Some mobile prices are install only |
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Starter | $565–796 | $200–440 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
| Alternator | $809–1,088 | $200–500 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
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Kia Soul recalls and news
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Kia Soul: questions
What are the most common Kia Soul problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the engine, electrical system, steering. The 2015 model year drew the most complaints (904).
How many recalls does the Kia Soul have?
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Kia Soul recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Kia Soul?
Yes, for most everyday repairs: diagnostics, batteries, starters, alternators, brakes and many cooling-system parts. Transmission and internal engine work need a shop. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Kia Soul model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.