KIA Soul EV Problems by Year
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the KIA Soul EV, across 7 model years (2014–2020). The 2017 model year has the most complaints (18). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
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KIA Soul EV years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Soul EV year: 2017. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2017 Soul EV: 18 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2016 Soul EV: 7 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2015 Soul EV: 6 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2014 Soul EV: 2 complaints, 1 recall
- 2018 Soul EV: 3 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2019 Soul EV: 3 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common KIA Soul EV problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Engine | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All KIA Soul EV model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Soul EV | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2019 Soul EV | 3 | 3 | — | Power Train | |
| 2018 Soul EV | 3 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2017 Soul EV | 18 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Soul EV | 7 | 4 | — | Power Train | |
| 2015 Soul EV | 6 | 4 | — | Power Train | |
| 2014 Soul EV | 2 | 1 | — | Air Bags |
More from KIA: all KIA models · KIA VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which KIA Soul EV years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2017 (18) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Soul EV year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the KIA Soul EV?
Electrical System, with 17 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the KIA Soul EV have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.