Kia · Soul · 2017
2017 Kia Soul
1
Recall
261
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2017 Kia Soul has 1 recall and 261 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (145 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2017 Kia Soul page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 145 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2017 Kia Soul reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2017 Kia Soul currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 261 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (145), unknown or other (15), air bags (12).
- Vehicle
- 2017 Kia Soul
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 261
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V031000January 25, 2022
AIR BAGS
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
261 totalENGINE
Mar 20, 2026
Driving on busy highway with one passenger. Vehicle began losing power and acceleration, but no warning lights came on. Kept driving for 20 miles and oil warning light came on, but temp vuage registered fine. I parked, checked fluid amounts, and oil was extremely low (even thoug...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Feb 16, 2026
We heard a ticking noise, and took it to the autoshop. After investigating, they found that it was a total engine failure. The mechanics encouraged us to check the vin number, because total engine failure for the 2017 Kia Soul was very common. Our vin did not appear in this rec...
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ENGINE
Jan 23, 2026
While driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and total engine seizure and loss of power (stalling), creating a life-threatening hazard in traffic . A certified Kia technician diagnosed a seized short block, multi-cylinder misfires (P0300-P0304), and a hole in the exhaust valve. T...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 15, 2026
While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle suddenly lost power and entered limp mode. Acceleration was severely limited, making it difficult to maintain speed in traffic. The vehicle was later diagnosed with diagnostic trouble co...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 21, 2025
Owner of 2017 White Kia Soul that has peeling paint. I've never owned a vehicle that paint peeled like this. I understand there are other owners with the same issue. This issue first started in May 2025 on driver's side near roof that I paid out of my pocket to repair. Now I ha...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 5, 2025
I have a white 2017 Kia Soul. I bought it new in 2017. The paint is peeling off really badly. Something is not right. This is not wear and tear paint peeling it is massive all around the car, especially the hood. The whole hood is peeling. My friend has an old 2011 Kia and his...
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ENGINE
Dec 4, 2025
The engine failed while driving on the highway, putting myself and others at risk. First the car started shaking, then the check engine light flickered. Fortunately, I was able to get off the highway, but I was far from home. The engine failure was confirmed by an independent ser...
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ENGINE
Oct 7, 2025
Engine Failed Mid Drive. Started with knocking sound then went into limp mode and then shut off and did not want to start. Car failed in the middle of traffic and could of injured me and others. I've read of other failures of the same models but for some reason the 2017 model isn...
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ENGINE
Aug 29, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report that a Kia dealership of garden grove, ca falsely recorded a safety recall as “completed” on my 2019 Kia Soul Upon review from another kia dealer, I discovered that the recall repair — essential to prevent engine...
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ENGINE
Aug 22, 2025
I was driving and all a sudden my engine light came on and the car started like stuttering with no power very scarey. The mechanic said the 3 power train warranties on my car would not fix he said I need a new engine and I still owe like 12000 ugg.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 261 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2017 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Soul Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Soul have?
The 2017 Kia Soul has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2017 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has received 261 owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2017 Kia Soul?
The 2017 Kia Soul received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Soul?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2017 Kia Soul are engine (145 reports), unknown or other (15 reports), air bags (12 reports).
Does the 2017 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2017 Kia Soul. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.