Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Kia Soul years to approach with the most caution are 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. The strongest years in our data are 2011 and 2024. Below is every model year we cover (2010–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.
| Year | Verdict | Score | Top owner-reported problems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Recommended | 7 | Gen-3 2.0L engine complaints: owners report excessive oil consumption, engine noise and in some cases stalling or failure, concentrated in the 2020 and 2021 launch years.; Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT) complaints: hesitation, shuddering and reduced power reported on early gen-3 cars. | Full report ↗ |
| 2011 | Recommended | 7 | Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) flexible-coupling wear: clunking or knocking from the steering column, especially at low speed. Kia extended the steering warranty on 2012-2013 cars; earlier years had less coverage.; Service-brake complaints: premature brake wear and reduced braking performance reported on early Souls. | Full report ↗ |
| 2023 | Caution | 6 | Gen-3 2.0L engine complaints: owners report excessive oil consumption, engine noise and in some cases stalling or failure, concentrated in the 2020 and 2021 launch years.; Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT) complaints: hesitation, shuddering and reduced power reported on early gen-3 cars. | Full report ↗ |
| 2022 | Caution | 6 | Gen-3 2.0L engine complaints: owners report excessive oil consumption, engine noise and in some cases stalling or failure, concentrated in the 2020 and 2021 launch years.; Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT) complaints: hesitation, shuddering and reduced power reported on early gen-3 cars. | Full report ↗ |
| 2019 | Caution | 6 | 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engine failure and fire risk: catalytic-converter overheating can damage pistons and connecting rods, leading to stalling, engine seizure or fire (recall SC176 on the 1.6L; the 2.0L is covered by the engine settlement). Excessive oil consumption is also widely reported.; Exterior-lighting and electrical complaints: headlight and daytime-running-light failures reported, heaviest on the 2014 model year. | Full report ↗ |
| 2018 | Caution | 6 | 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engine failure and fire risk: catalytic-converter overheating can damage pistons and connecting rods, leading to stalling, engine seizure or fire (recall SC176 on the 1.6L; the 2.0L is covered by the engine settlement). Excessive oil consumption is also widely reported.; Exterior-lighting and electrical complaints: headlight and daytime-running-light failures reported, heaviest on the 2014 model year. | Full report ↗ |
| 2010 | Caution | 6 | Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) flexible-coupling wear: clunking or knocking from the steering column, especially at low speed. Kia extended the steering warranty on 2012-2013 cars; earlier years had less coverage. | Full report ↗ |
| 2021 | Caution | 5 | Gen-3 2.0L engine complaints: owners report excessive oil consumption, engine noise and in some cases stalling or failure, concentrated in the 2020 and 2021 launch years.; Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT) complaints: hesitation, shuddering and reduced power reported on early gen-3 cars. | Full report ↗ |
| 2020 | Caution | 5 | Gen-3 2.0L engine complaints: owners report excessive oil consumption, engine noise and in some cases stalling or failure, concentrated in the 2020 and 2021 launch years.; Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT) complaints: hesitation, shuddering and reduced power reported on early gen-3 cars. | Full report ↗ |
| 2017 | Caution | 5 | 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engine failure and fire risk: catalytic-converter overheating can damage pistons and connecting rods, leading to stalling, engine seizure or fire (recall SC176 on the 1.6L; the 2.0L is covered by the engine settlement). Excessive oil consumption is also widely reported.; Exterior-lighting and electrical complaints: headlight and daytime-running-light failures reported, heaviest on the 2014 model year. | Full report ↗ |
| 2012 | Caution | 5 | 1.6L GDI engine fire and failure risk on 2012-2013 cars: recall SC176 covers catalytic-converter overheating that can damage pistons and connecting rods, risking stalling or fire.; Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) flexible-coupling wear: clunking or knocking from the steering column, especially at low speed. Kia extended the steering warranty on 2012-2013 cars; earlier years had less coverage.; Service-brake complaints: premature brake wear and reduced braking performance reported on early Souls. | Full report ↗ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 4 | 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engine failure and fire risk: catalytic-converter overheating can damage pistons and connecting rods, leading to stalling, engine seizure or fire (recall SC176 on the 1.6L; the 2.0L is covered by the engine settlement). Excessive oil consumption is also widely reported.; Exterior-lighting and electrical complaints: headlight and daytime-running-light failures reported, heaviest on the 2014 model year. | Full report ↗ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 4 | 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engine failure and fire risk: catalytic-converter overheating can damage pistons and connecting rods, leading to stalling, engine seizure or fire (recall SC176 on the 1.6L; the 2.0L is covered by the engine settlement). Excessive oil consumption is also widely reported.; Exterior-lighting and electrical complaints: headlight and daytime-running-light failures reported, heaviest on the 2014 model year. | Full report ↗ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 4 | 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engine failure and fire risk: catalytic-converter overheating can damage pistons and connecting rods, leading to stalling, engine seizure or fire (recall SC176 on the 1.6L; the 2.0L is covered by the engine settlement). Excessive oil consumption is also widely reported.; Exterior-lighting and electrical complaints: headlight and daytime-running-light failures reported, heaviest on the 2014 model year. | Full report ↗ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 4 | 1.6L GDI engine fire and failure risk on 2012-2013 cars: recall SC176 covers catalytic-converter overheating that can damage pistons and connecting rods, risking stalling or fire.; Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) flexible-coupling wear: clunking or knocking from the steering column, especially at low speed. Kia extended the steering warranty on 2012-2013 cars; earlier years had less coverage.; Service-brake complaints: premature brake wear and reduced braking performance reported on early Souls. | Full report ↗ |
The cleanest Soul in years: very few complaints, no open engine-fire recall, strong RepairPal reliability and low running costs make the gen-3 Soul a sound used value.
Reliable late gen-3 Soul with low complaint volume and cheap upkeep; minor electrical and infotainment gripes are the main asterisk.
Complaints fall sharply from the 2020-21 launch years; dependable and inexpensive to run, a solid used pick with normal due diligence.
Second-year gen-3 still carries elevated engine and transmission complaints; cheap to own but verify service history and any engine noise.
Gen-3 launch year with the most engine and powertrain complaints of the generation; affordable and well-rated overall but the weakest gen-3 year.
Late gen-2 Soul with far fewer engine complaints than mid-decade, though the 2.0L GDI engine settlement still applies; good value and cheap to run.
One of the better gen-2 years as engine complaints taper, but GDI engine-defect settlement coverage still applies; otherwise a reliable, low-cost runabout.
Engine complaints remain significant and the GDI fire/seizure recall and settlement apply; budget-friendly but confirm the recall work was completed.
Falls in the worst stretch for the Soul: heavy 1.6L GDI engine failures at low mileage, covered by the fire-risk recall. Verify recall completion and engine history.
The most engine-complained Soul, with widespread 1.6L GDI engine failures and fire risk under recall; only consider with documented recall completion and a sound engine.
The most-complained Soul overall, dominated by GDI engine failures (oil consumption and seizure) under the fire-risk recall; high-risk without proof of repairs.
Peak gen-1 problems: 1.6L GDI engine fire recall plus widespread MDPS steering-coupler wear and brake complaints; a warranty gap makes history checks essential.
First Soul with the recalled 1.6L GDI engine and heavy MDPS steering-coupler complaints (warranty-extended); cheap but verify engine and steering repairs.
Among the most reliable gen-1 Souls: pre-GDI engine, low complaint volume and minimal recalls; an inexpensive, dependable older used pick.
Solid pre-GDI gen-1 Soul with modest complaint volume (mostly airbag and structure items) and low upkeep; age and miles are the main considerations now.
Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Kia models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.