Last updated: 2026-10-10

2025 Kia Soul
RELIABILITY SCORE: 85/100 (EXCELLENT)

2025 Kia Soul Reliability Report

The 2025 KIA Soul rates excellent for reliability with no recalls, but owners report low beams that give too little light at night.

Recalls

0

Complaints

9

Complaint Rate

1.8per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$437

Annual Fuel Cost

$1,950–$2,000

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity75/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs90/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity77/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Final year of the third generation, with excellent reliability and no recalls; the only repeated complaint is dim low beams at night.

Top Issues to Watch

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)
  • AIR BAGS (1)
  • VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2025 is 2 years after the third facelift (2023) refresh.

  • Year 6 in the Third generation (SK3) (2020–present).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 3rd generation Soul (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2020: Third generation (SK3) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2025: This Model Year

2025 is 2 years after the third facelift (2023) refresh.

Should You Buy the 2025 Kia Soul?

Reliability is excellent here. This is the last year of the third generation, and it sits well above average among 2025 SUVs and among the stronger of the eight Soul years we score. Owners filed 9 complaints, and federal recall records list none. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $437 for the model, under the $466 class figure. The 2024 Soul rates about the same.

Headlights are the one pattern. All 4 lighting complaints say the low beams give too little light at night. Drivers describe missing where a road ends, nearly leaving the pavement on dark routes, and close calls with animals and road damage. High beams don't help in traffic because they blind other drivers. Some say weak light keeps lane-assist from reading road markings on dark, rainy roads. One owner found moisture inside the headlight, which cut its output. The reports show no mileage pattern.

Drive any Soul you are considering after dark, and ask whether headlight work has been done. The 2024 year is a fair alternative.

See also the 2024 Kia Soul for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Strong reliability score
  • +$29 cheaper to maintain than avg subcompact SUVs
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (9%)
  • +No recalls issued

Cons

  • −EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Low beams throw too little light to see the road at night, according to all 4... (4 complaints)

Compare 2025 Kia Soul With

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)
  • AIR BAGS (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2025 Kia Soul — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

1.8

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 3.5

LowAvgHigh
Very Low

Safety Incidents

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2025 Kia Soul? Check its history first

Exterior lighting problems lead owner complaints about the 2025 Kia Soul, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2025 Kia Soul NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 14.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Roof)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Kia SoulRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5

Based 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

Soul
$437
Category Avg
$466
All Vehicles
$652

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 2025 model year.

Value Retained
69.5%

after 5 years

Depreciation
30.5%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
355

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.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

30–31 MPG

Running cost: $2,400–$2,450/yr

Fuel + repair

27–29 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 2025 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Soul Eco dynamics 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)293531$1,950
Soul 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)273330$2,000

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2025 Kia Soul.

  • Test-drive after dark on an unlit road and check whether the low beams clearly show the road edge, curves, and obstacles.

  • Inspect both headlight lenses for fog, droplets, or condensation trapped inside the housing.

  • Look at the headlights again after rain or a car wash for moisture that builds up inside.

  • On a dark road, confirm the lane-assist features detect lane markings and turn on.

  • Ask whether either headlight has been repaired or replaced, and request the service records.

2025 Kia Soul Common Problems by Component

9 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

4
1
1
1
1
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)AIR BAGS (1)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)SUSPENSION (1)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 complaints

Low beams throw too little light to see the road at night, according to all 4 complaints. Drivers describe missing where a road ends, nearly leaving the pavement on dark routes, and near misses with animals and road damage. High beams don't solve it in traffic because they blind other drivers. Some reports say the weak light keeps lane-assist features from reading road markings on dark, rainy roads. A separate complaint describes moisture getting inside the headlight and cutting its output. The reports show no mileage pattern.

4 complaints total

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related
2026-03-23Crash reported

Hit a deer. Airbag did not deploy or emergency braking system didn't come on. Police took pictures of car. The car is at the repair shop now. Insurance company hasn't stated if it will be totaled. There were no other problems prior to incident.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint
2025-09-07

Headlight housing kept falling out of the bracket Driving at night impossable. Fixed one light still dim lights maKES DRIVING AT night dangerous. Second dealer instructed me to not sue the suto light setting because it dims the headlights. It appears that the front bumper design blocks the light to the roadway. In my view the 4 seperte visits to the Family dealership in Saint Augestein Fl suggest ther is nothing more he can do to improve the light problem. What am I supposd to do to have this 2025 new KIA soul problem corrected that I so I can drive at night

SUSPENSION (1 complaints)

SUSPENSION

1 complaint
2026-01-05

I am submitting this complaint to report serious concerns regarding the quality, safety, and reliability of my new Kia Soul, as well as the financial burden caused by defects that should not occur on a vehicle with such low mileage. At approximately **8,500 miles**, one of the original tires failed prematurely. I was forced to purchase a used tire to keep the vehicle safely drivable. I had the front alignment inspected, and I was informed that it was within normal specifications, yet the tire issue persisted. Now at **10,000 miles**, I am still experiencing abnormal tire wear. Additionally, at **10,000 miles**, the vehicle began making **grinding noises when applying the brakes**, which is extremely concerning for a car that is still essentially new. These issues raise questions about the vehicle’s manufacturing quality and whether it meets reasonable consumer expectations for safety and durability. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation that it would be reliable and free from major defects. Instead, I am facing unexpected expenses, safety concerns, and ongoing problems that should be covered under warranty. I am now questioning whether I should continue making payments on a vehicle that is already showing signs of significant defects. I am requesting that the FTC review this matter as a potential issue involving product quality, warranty compliance, and consumer protection. I am seeking assistance in ensuring that Kia addresses these defects appropriately and that my rights as a consumer are upheld. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaintSafety-related
2025-10-04Crash reported1 injury

While driving, the vehicle began accelerating (forced acceleration) without driver input. When driver attempted to stop or slow the vehicle down, the brakes were unresponsive due to the brake override system failure. Because the vehicle could not be stopped or slowed down, and to avoid hitting or harming others, driver veered off the road which caused the vehicle to flip multiple times and finally stop, landing on the roof. It was noted that the engine was still running at that time. The safety of the driver and others was in immediate risk, as the vehicle could not be controlled. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint
2025-01-01

2025 Kia Soul LX Headlights. Totally inadequate standard headlights. Higher end models get LED headlights but this standard light system on the LX is dangerous on anything but well lit streets. Safety should not be an option. I would have upgraded to a model that has adequate headlights but was unaware of how bad the standard headlights were until after purchase. These standard headlights should never have been approved by the DOT. There are many reports online about this issue and I'm hoping it will be addressed soon.

Best & Worst Kia Soul Years

Best Kia Soul Years to Buy

Kia Soul Years to Avoid

Kia Soul Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Kia Soul reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201873/100Good
201976/100Good
202070/100Good
202172/100Good
202278/100Good
202377/100Good
202486/100Excellent
202585/100Excellent

Kia Soul Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
2025(selected)85/100-1Excellent09
202486/100+9Excellent023
202377/100-1Good445
202278/100+6Good178
202172/100+2Good2190
202070/100-6Good1338
201976/100+3Good1123
201873/100—Good1199

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2025 KIA Soul reliable?
Yes. Its reliability standing is excellent, well above average among 2025 SUVs and among the stronger of the eight scored Soul years. Owners filed 9 complaints, about 1.8 per 10,000 sold, and federal recall records show no recalls. The main weak spot is headlight output at night.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 KIA Soul?
Exterior lighting is the main one, with 4 of the 9 complaints. Owners say low beams light the road too poorly at night. Some report lane-assist failing to read markings on dark, rainy roads. One describes moisture inside a headlight that reduced its output.
Does the 2025 KIA Soul have headlight problems?
Yes, according to owner complaints. All 4 lighting reports say the low beams are too dim to see the road at night. Drivers describe missing where a road ends and near misses with animals. High beams blind other drivers in traffic. The reports show no mileage pattern.
Has the 2025 KIA Soul been recalled?
No. Federal recall records list 0 recalls for this model year. Still, ask the seller for service records, particularly anything involving the headlights, since that is where owner complaints cluster. Complaints alone do not show whether a repair was made.
Is the 2025 KIA Soul better than the 2024 model?
Not clearly. Both years rate excellent and about the same, and both have no recalls. The 2024 Soul has 23 complaints against 9 for 2025, but older years have had longer to collect complaints, so the gap says little by itself.

Don’t buy a 2025 Kia Soul without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2025 Kia Soul

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2025 Kia Soul does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (75/100). 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.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Kia Soul.

No spam. Only data updates for this model.

See incorrect data? Report an issue