Last updated: 2026-10-10

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
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
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)
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

2025 Hyundai Kona
Reliability: 74/100

2025 Nissan Kicks
Reliability: 78/100

2025 Buick Envista
Reliability: 80/100

2025 Chevrolet Trax
Reliability: 85/100

2025 Mazda CX-30
Reliability: 68/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)
- AIR BAGS (1)
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 soldSegment avg: 3.5
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.
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.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2025 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 2025 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
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
| 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) | 27 | 33 | 30 | $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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 complaintsLow 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.
AIR BAGS
1 complaintSafety-relatedHit 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 complaintHeadlight 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 complaintI 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-relatedWhile 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 complaint2025 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
Based on reliability index scoreKia 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 2025 KIA Soul reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 KIA Soul?
Does the 2025 KIA Soul have headlight problems?
Has the 2025 KIA Soul been recalled?
Is the 2025 KIA Soul better than the 2024 model?
Don’t buy a 2025 Kia Soul without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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.
Browse More Kia Models

Kia Carnival
Score: 80/100

Kia EV6
Score: 58/100

Kia EV9
Score: 62/100

Kia Forte
Score: 78/100

Kia K5
Score: 83/100

Kia Niro
Score: 80/100
Browse More 2025 Vehicles

2025 Nissan Ariya
Score: 88/100

2025 Honda HR-V
Score: 88/100

2025 Acura ZDX
Score: 88/100

2025 Kia Carnival
Score: 88/100

2025 Hyundai Elantra
Score: 87/100

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross
Score: 86/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue