KnownCarProblems2017 Kia Soul Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 272 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Soul, most often about the engine (73% of complaints, typically around 83,000 miles). It is 7th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2017 Kia Soul problems
Engine
198 complaints · 73%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Oil light came on, checked oil and it was low. Added oil. The next day the car loss complete power and stalled on the side of the road. Engine made a loud sound and stopped. Had the vehicle towed to our dealer and was told the lower part of the engine blowed at 82,509 miles. Regular maintenance was done at a…
I was driving down the highway about 65 when I heard a loud knocking noise coming from the motor. No check engine light no over heating nothing. Loud knock car goes dead.I've only had this car for 1yr. Got it at 52.000 miles is now at 84.000. Still under Kia 100.000 mile warranty. But they won't cover it . And there…
Other or unspecified
32 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 13,500 miles.
The blind spot detection fails to see most buses, rvs, and large trucks with trailers. It seems that about 90% of these vehicle types it does not see. Cars are not a problem. We noticed that his was the case nearly every time we passed a semi or bus. I could be going 40 to 75 MPH. Speed did not seem to mater. I…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while either stopped at a stoplight or while making a turn, the vehicle would lose motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel system failure due to trash in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer.…
Electrical
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: adas.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "blind spot detection" failure message was displayed, and the feature became inoperable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure…
My Kia was driving normally until I stopped at a red light at a busy intersection. When the light turned green, without warning, the oil and battery light simultaneously came on and the car stalled. I eventually was able to get the car to move; however the car would not accelerate and a horrible knocking noise was…
Fuel system
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
The car engine stopped running while traveling in traffic, steering and braking effected, quickly rolled to a stop. Engine totally and quickly lost all power. High pressure fuel pump found to have broken by Kia dealer, and replaced.
The engine started making a ticking noise. Which got louder and faster as I drove. I went 20 minutes down the rode and the car stopped and started rolling forward with no power as if I was in neutral. I tried to jump the car and did not succeed, the oil was bone dry. I added oil and the same noise arose and the car…
Transmission
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles.
Got in my car september 2020 and heard knocking under hood. Drive it to the penzoil less than 15 minutes away and I knock got faster and louder. Penzoil told me park it and tow to nearest Kia. Extremely disheartening I'm 23 y/o single mother. Now with a broken car. 16000 in debt for a year and half worth of driving…
Vehicle has only 75k miles on it motor spun a barring on bottom it done all the the things on the last motor recall but was on diffrent model contacted dealer an showed it was the same motor an nothing has happen want honor warnty or anything an im not the first person have talked to severy an they contacted Kia…
Air bags
16 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
This is the second time that the air bags have not gone off in a crash on this car the first crash was at 55 MPH head on and they didnt go off and the sensors were hit and damaged. Today the car was in another head on crash with injury to the driver and the air bags failed to deploy again this is a major concern as to…
On 10/23/2020 I was in a front end collision with a 2017 jeep wrangler and the air bags in my Soul did not deploy. My Soul is a total loss, due to frame damage.
Brakes
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
My car feels like it steers sideways down the road,it bounces,hard to control,it loses power in 3rd gear,the brakes don't work well at all,engine pings loudly constantly.I took my car to carfax in modesto california whom I purchased from and they couldn't find anything wrong,th s ir lieing,living, car was wrecked and…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that her foot was taken off the brake pedal and that she had to repeatedly pump on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the…
Steering
10 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel ceased with the power steering assist failure warning light illuminated. The failure discontinued independently and the vehicle returned to operating as designed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor…
Failure to accelerate,jurking,stalling while driving on highway. Was told there a rack and pinion tie rod system needs to be replaced and steering pin. Car does deceleration, oil burns up in a week.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Kia Soul recalls
Air bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2017 Kia Soul
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Soul?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (198 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); other or unspecified (32 complaints, typically around 13,500 miles); electrical (19 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Soul have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 25, 2022 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Kia Soul?
- It is 7th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints, with 272 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.