Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Kia Soul Reliability Report
The 2023 KIA Soul has good reliability, but owners report stalling, steering pulls and driver-assist glitches, plus a fire-risk recall.
Recalls
4
Complaints
45
Complaint Rate
7.3per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$437
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,950–$2,000
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good reliability with four recalls, one a park-outside fire risk, and owner reports of stalling, steering pulls and blank instrument clusters.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- STEERING (7)
- ENGINE (5)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 received a third facelift (2023) update for the Third generation (SK3).
- Changes: Revised headlights and taillights; New color combinations.
- Year 4 in this generation (2020–present).
- 3rd generation Soul (US).
What this means for buyers
Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.
2020: Third generation (SK3) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2023: This Model Year (Refresh)
2023 received a third facelift (2023) update for the Third generation (SK3).
Should You Buy the 2023 Kia Soul?
Good reliability, and a solid standing among 2023 SUVs. Within the Soul lineup it lands in the middle of eight scored years. Owners filed 45 complaints, about 7.3 per 10,000 sold. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $437, under the $466 class figure. The 2022 rates about the same. The 2024 rates better, with fewer complaints and no recalls.
Electrical complaints lead. Driver-assist warnings flash with alert chimes while lane safety and forward safety features briefly stop working, and dealers often cannot reproduce it. Some instrument clusters go blank. Steering reports describe the wheel jerking, pulling or locking, and several tie it to lane assist. Engine reports are the most serious: stalling and failures on low-mileage cars, including one at 5,800 miles and a shutoff at 40 to 45 mph with no warning light. There are four recalls, and one is a park-outside fire-risk recall.
Ask for proof that every recall was completed. Request records of any cluster, steering or engine repairs. If the price is close, compare a 2024, though it has had less time to collect complaints.
Compared to the 2024 Kia Soul, which scored 9 points higher. See also the 2022 Kia Soul for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$29 cheaper to maintain than avg subcompact SUVs
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (9%)
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (9 complaints)
- −STEERING: Wheels jerk, pull hard or lock without warning, and several reports tie this to... (7 complaints)
Compare 2023 Kia Soul With
2023 Hyundai Kona
Reliability: 66/100
2023 Nissan Kicks
Reliability: 80/100
2023 Jeep Renegade
Reliability: 77/100
2023 Mazda CX-30
Reliability: 68/100
2023 Honda HR-V
Reliability: 73/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 4 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- STEERING (7)
Recall Overview
4
recalls on record
A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2023 Kia Soul. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7.3
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
1
Fires
14
Injuries
1
Deaths
NHTSA 4/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Kia Soul Recall Details
4 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Kia Soul. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
AIR BAGS
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.
Consequence
An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Consequence
Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
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.
POWER TRAIN
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.
Consequence
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
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.
Buying a used 2023 Kia Soul? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Kia Soul, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Kia Soul NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.7%
Safety Technologies
Kia SoulRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$437
vs $466 avg for subcompact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
9%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Kia Soul Resale Value
The Kia Soul is estimated to retain about 69.5% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Kia Soul model overall and is not specific to the 2023 model year.
- Value Retained
- 69.5%
- Depreciation
- 30.5%
- Listings Analyzed
- 355
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Kia Soul depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
30–31 MPG
Running cost: $2,400–$2,450/yr
Fuel + repair
28–29 city / 33–35 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Eco dynamics 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 35 | 31 | $1,950 |
| Soul 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 28 | 33 | 30 | $2,000 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Kia Soul.
Drive for an extended stretch and watch for driver-assist warnings cycling across the dash with chimes.
On a two-lane road, note whether lane assist tugs the wheel toward oncoming traffic as cars pass.
Confirm the speedometer, tachometer, odometer and warning lights stay visible for the entire test drive.
Pull away from several stoplights and watch for unprompted braking with hazard lights flashing.
Set the parking brake firmly with the car in park and confirm it stays engaged.
Check the oil level and look for oil in the coolant reservoir before buying.
Test-drive after dark to judge headlight brightness and beam pattern.
Run the VIN for open recalls and ask for records of engine, steering or recall repairs.
2023 Kia Soul Common Problems by Component
45 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 complaintsDriver-assist warnings flash in a cycle with alert chimes, naming the forward safety, lane safety, high beam assist and driver attention systems while those features briefly stop working. Dealers often cannot reproduce it, and one blamed a dirty windshield camera. Instrument clusters go blank and lose the speedometer and warning lights, and the fix described is a replacement. Other reports cover the car shutting down while driving with no warning light and a dead 12V system. One injury report describes the car rolling away while in park.
STEERING
7 complaintsSafety-relatedWheels jerk, pull hard or lock without warning, and several reports tie this to lane assist. One pattern is the wheel tugging toward oncoming traffic on two-lane roads as another car passes. Others describe the wheel locking along with a stability light, radio static, stalling, lost power steering or sudden acceleration. Some cars were nearly new when it started. The data includes one crash with injuries where the car left the road and rolled down a hill, plus a second injury report.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 complaintsSafety-relatedSudden acceleration while parking caused one crash with an airbag deployment and an injury. Another recurring complaint is a run of camera, ABS and stability warnings that sends the car into limp mode until it is shut off and restarted, with no fix found. Smaller reports include a horn that stops working, a driver's door that opens from inside while moving, and hands-free dialing that quit after a service visit. A dealer called the door behavior a safety feature.
ENGINE (5 complaints)
ENGINE
5 complaintsSoul engine problems across all model years
Stalling and full engine failure on low-mileage cars lead these reports. One engine failed at 5,800 miles after the first dealer oil change, and another threw pistons with oil in the coolant. Other cars shut off at 40 to 45 mph with no warning light and restarted only to stall again; one dealer found no cause at 8,872 miles. Another engine was replaced after repeated shutoffs and ticking noises. One car stopped responding in an intersection for about 20 minutes.
AIR BAGS (4 complaints)
AIR BAGS
4 complaintsRandom beeping and a cycle of dash errors, including brake, lighting and airbag system faults, top these reports. The failures are intermittent, and one dealer reproduced them overnight but did not find the cause after repeated visits. A separate report describes the steering wheel airbag bursting in a minor impact under 20 mph without fully deploying while no other airbags fired. The dealer and the manufacturer declined to investigate. The remaining entries only list part replacements.
POWER TRAIN (4 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsSafety-relatedRecall paperwork and part delays make up most of these complaints rather than driving failures. One owner waited on a recall repair for parts that were not available. Another saw battery and Auto Start/Stop warnings before the repair, then cruise control and lane keep switching on by themselves afterward. A separate report lists a transmission fluid pump replacement. One filing is marked as a crash and fire with 10 injuries, but it gives no detail beyond a mention of the airbag.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 complaintsHeadlights are too dim and the beam pattern is poor. Owners say the car is close to undrivable at night, especially on dark, rainy roads with worn lane markings, and they worry about running off the road or into oncoming traffic. The problem is present from delivery and not a part that fails later. Visits to two different dealers produced no fix, and contacting the manufacturer did not help either.
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsAutomatic braking engages with no hazard ahead. The car slows on its own with the brake and hazard lights flashing, most often when pulling away from a traffic light. A restart clears the warnings, but the problem returns. In another report, the manual parking brake let go with a loud bang a few seconds after being set and dropped all the way down. That happened twice with under 1000 miles on the car.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintThe rear windshield spontaneously shattered while parked in the driveway and was not running. I was standing beside it when it happened. There was no glass inside vehicle all the glass was outside vehicle indicating that nothing hit the windshield, and nothing was around vehicle that could have hit the vehicle. The vehicle will be repaired tomorrow by Safelite as it is a commuting vehicle, and I have no other vehicle to drive to and from work. My insurance is not covering the damage as it is less than the deductible to just fix it.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintSafety-relatedI was backing up into my parking place in an alley way. I was turning slightly to the right to fit in and the car started to accelerate. I hit the back wall with the rear of my car. I put the car into drive not realizing it was still accelerating. I had my right foot on the brake. When I put the car into drive it accelerate very quickly even with my foot on the brake and I crashed into a door garage, wrecking my car, the garage door and the vehicle parked inside the garage. The automatic emergency braking system never activated either.
Best & Worst Kia Soul Years
Best Kia Soul Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
2022
2023
(Current Model)
Kia Soul Years to Avoid
Kia Soul Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 86/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 85/100 | Excellent |
Kia Soul Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 KIA Soul reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA Soul?
Does the 2023 KIA Soul have steering problems?
Has the 2023 KIA Soul been recalled?
Is the 2024 KIA Soul more reliable than the 2023?
Don’t buy a 2023 Kia Soul without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Kia Soul
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Kia Soul does best on repair costs (90/100) and worst on recall impact (65/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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