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2017 Kia Soul recalls and problems

The 2017 Kia Soul has 1 safety recall and 274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
274
Crashes / fires
17 / 14
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2017 Kia Soul vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2017 Kia Soul recalls

Recall 22V-031: Air Bags

Reported Jan 25, 2022 · 410,619 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

2017 Kia Soul problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine193
Unknown or Other32
Electrical System19
Power Train19
Fuel/Propulsion System18
Air Bags16
Service Brakes12
Steering10
Engine and Engine Cooling10
Vehicle Speed Control8
Structure4
Suspension4

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring — 1
  • Steering › Electric Power Assist System — 1
  • Electrical System › Adas › Blindspot › Sensors — 1
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Vehicle Controls › Speed Control — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights — 1
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 74,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2017 Kia Soul complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 10, 2026
I own a 2017 Kia Soul with the 1.6L GDI engine (VIN [XXX]), approximately 84,000 miles. In XXX the check engine light came on, the engine began misfiring and running rough, and the vehicle lost power to the point it was unsafe to drive. A Kia dealer (Kia of Bedford, Bedford, OH) diagnosed the failure and reported that the cylinder 4 piston is severely damaged, requiring engine replacement. The vehicle has been out of service since XXX. This failure — piston damage on the 1.6L Gamma GDI engine — matches the failure pattern covered by recall SC176 for this same engine in 2012–2016 Kia Soul…
Engine · reported Nov 4, 2026
The Soul I bought from a Dealership with low miles has nothing wrong with it and I'm very good at maintaining my vehicle. I always check my oil and noticed almost within the first two months of owning that my oil was burning off with no leaks. Ive put a lot of miles on it (about 40K) but I go through a quart of oil every other time I top off my tank. I worked hard to buy this car out right with 60k miles. I love this car, but I know this problem will eventually cause engine failure. The cost to repair the pistons will be more than the car is worth. I was told that this is a normal issue with…
Engine · reported Sep 22, 2026
This car since I had it burns alot and I mean alot of oil between oil changes i have to keep oil on hand and constantly checking the oil I have alot of friends with this car and the same issue I had my soul for over 5 years and it's still burning oil I take care of my car im still paying on it and it has less than 70,000 miles and 8m having problems with it. I'm disabled, one income. I need my car I've brought this to kua themselves they told me to...JUST KEEP WATCHING YOUR OIL LEVELS LIJE U VEEN U SHUD BE OK....ARE THEY SERIOUS. PLEASE HELP ME
Structure · reported Sep 9, 2026
The paint is completely failing on this kia soul. The eroded paint is a well known issue with Kia, nothing is being done about the paint failing and chipping across the whole body of the car, which will lead to inevitable rusting. It has been inspected, they are aware of the issue, and are doing nothing to resolve it.
Engine · reported Jul 23, 2026
One day I noticed my oil light flashed on and off about three times during a drive down the road, simultaneously a loud knocking started in my engine. Although I had gotten my oil changed just a couple months prior and always practiced appropriate maintenance I decided to pull over and check my oil, it was empty. No warnings, the oil light had never come on, the engine light had never come on. A modern car shouldn’t have complete engine failure due to oil starvation with no warning whatsoever. That is separate from the other problem where the car had obviously been burning oil excessively. I…

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Kia Soul have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2017 Kia Soul: 22V-031 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Kia Soul?

Owners report engine problems most often (193 reports), followed by unknown or other (32). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 74,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.