Kia

Soul (1st)

2010-2013 · Compact SUV ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.0)
1,484 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
85 Fire Reports
96 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Kia Soul → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

DOHC GDI GAMMA

1.6L
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
586 complaints 146.5 per year Gasoline
48 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
357
steering
117
cooling
58
electrical
51
brakes
47

Known Issues

Engine Issues (357 complaints)
Typical onset: 103,000โ€“150,000 mi Est. repair: $1,565โ€“$5,750 (23 reports)
Steering Issues (117 complaints)
Typical onset: 68,563โ€“117,750 mi Est. repair: $192โ€“$466 (10 reports)
Cooling System Issues (58 complaints)
Typical onset: 114,739โ€“152,301 mi

Beta

2.0L
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
273 complaints 127.5 per year Gasoline
15 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
57
brakes
53
engine
41
other
36
safety systems
34

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (57 complaints)
Typical onset: 22,500โ€“85,750 mi
Brakes Issues (53 complaints)
Typical onset: 82,000โ€“157,328 mi
Engine Issues (41 complaints)
Typical onset: 76,500โ€“173,500 mi

2 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Kia Soul regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (400 complaints)
engine critical
Steering Issues (117 complaints)
steering critical
Electrical System Issues (108 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (100 complaints)
brakes critical
Cooling System Issues (58 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (5)

23V652000Sep 24, 2023serious
Service Brakes

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

19V120000Feb 21, 2019serious
Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.

14V822000Dec 28, 2014serious
Structure

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.

13V114000Jan 3, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

10V388000Aug 30, 2010serious
Electrical System

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2010-2013 Kia Soul problems?

The 2010-2013 Kia Soul has accumulated 1,484 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Steering, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Kia Soul engine is most reliable?

The 2010-2013 Kia Soul was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.6L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2010-2013 Kia Soul a good used car?

The 2010-2013 Kia Soul can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,484 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010-2013 Kia Soul have?

The 2010-2013 Kia Soul has 1,484 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2010-2013 Kia Soul?

There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Kia Soul?

Before buying a used Kia Soul, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Steering, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Soul have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2010-2013 Kia Soul. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,484 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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