KnownCarProblems2023 Kia Soul Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Soul, most often about the engine (28% of complaints). It is 14th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2023 Kia Soul problems
Engine
15 complaints · 28%Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer found no cause…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while pulling into a mall, there was an abnormally low rumbling and ticking sound coming from the vehicle. While driving 45 MPH, the message to turn off and restart the vehicle was displayed with an audible alarm. The contact stated that the vehicle had shut…
Electrical
14 complaints · 26%Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The instrument panel went blank while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
Other or unspecified
13 complaints · 24%Driver assistance
11 complaints · 20%Parts named most often: warnings, warning, automatic emergency braking, assist.
The contact owned a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the lane assist feature malfunctioned and the steering wheel inadvertently turned sharply to the left and seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into trees and rolled down the hill. The contact was removed from the vehicle. The contact…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery discharge and auto start/stop warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 23v531000 (power train), for which the dealer replaced the electric oil pump controller as the remedy. After the repair, the cruise…
Steering
8 complaints · 15%The contact owned a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the lane assist feature malfunctioned and the steering wheel inadvertently turned sharply to the left and seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into trees and rolled down the hill. The contact was removed from the vehicle. The contact…
Brakes
8 complaints · 15%Air bags
5 complaints · 9%Transmission
5 complaints · 9%The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery discharge and auto start/stop warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 23v531000 (power train), for which the dealer replaced the electric oil pump controller as the remedy. After the repair, the cruise…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2023 Kia Soul recalls
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (pnss) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 4, 2025. Owners may contact kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc336.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 seltos and soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Air bags
Risk: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 31, 2024. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc289.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2023 soul and 2024 seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
Transmission: pump
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed september 28, 2023. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc275.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2023 soul, sportage, and 2023-2024 seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the idle stop & go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 26, 2023. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc270.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2023 sportage, sportage hybrid, sportage plug-in hybrid, niro hybrid, niro plug-in hybrid, soul, and telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" lcd screen.â â the instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.â â as such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard numbers 101, "control and displays," and 138, "tire pressure monitoring systems."
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness
Summary
On august 6, 2025, the office of defect investigation (odi) opened audit query (aq) 25001 to assess the implementation of kia america, inc.âs (kia) remedy program for safety recall 25v099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This aq was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On august 11, 2025, an information request (ir) was issued to kia requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a âcoldâ engine to a âwarmâ en
Questions about the 2023 Kia Soul
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Soul?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (15 complaints); electrical (14 complaints); other or unspecified (13 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Soul have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 17, 2025 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2023 a bad year for the Kia Soul?
- It is 14th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints, with 54 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.