KIA Soul Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the KIA Soul across 15 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (26). The words owners use most often: “air bags deploy” (15% of reports).
- 203air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 144mention a crash
- 113mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bags deploy: mentioned in 30 of 203 complaints (15%)
- Front end: mentioned in 24 of 203 complaints (12%)
- Medical attention: mentioned in 21 of 203 complaints (10%)
- Airbags deployed: mentioned in 16 of 203 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 123 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 203 complaints, 144 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 113 an injury.
KIA Soul air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Soul | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2023 Soul | 5 | 9% | — |
| 2022 Soul | 3 | 3% | 28,500 |
| 2021 Soul | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Soul | 3 | 1% | 26,000 |
| 2019 Soul | 15 | 11% | 100,000 |
| 2018 Soul | 11 | 5% | 36,000 |
| 2017 Soul | 16 | 6% | 40,000 |
| 2016 Soul | 17 | 2% | 33,956 |
| 2015 Soul | 20 | 2% | 5,770 |
| 2014 Soul | 26 | 3% | 44,825 |
| 2013 Soul | 18 | 3% | 48,900 |
| 2012 Soul | 17 | 3% | 49,000 |
| 2011 Soul | 26 | 13% | 57,000 |
| 2010 Soul | 21 | 16% | 39,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags
Model years: 2023
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software; air bags:frontal
Model years: 2014
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
Risk: Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.
Air bags
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated, indicating that the airbag system was inoperative. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. A certified…
The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt didn't lock and at the moment it is available to be inspected. My seat belt didn't lock so it is probably why my back fractured. I don't know if the problem has ever been reproduced or confirmed. To my knowledge no one has inspected the car. There was…
My 2019 Kia Soul has been professionally diagnosed with DTC B162000, âInternal Fault â Replace SRSCM,â involving the Supplemental Restraint System/Airbag Control Module. My repair shop documented this diagnosis on August 24, 2026. Kia Safety Recall SC226 / NHTSA Recall 22V-031 addresses an…
On Saturday June 18th, I was in a 4 car pile up accident. My kia soul was totaled, and the airbag did not deploy. Following the event, I am seeking medical attention for follow up. Research on the cause for failure to deploy has shown me there was a recall on these car for air bag issues. Please…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Souls have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 203 owner complaints about air bags for the KIA Soul. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Soul air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the KIA Soul?
The most frequent phrase is “air bags deploy”, in 30 of 203 complaints, followed by “front end” (24).
Other KIA Soul problems
- Engine problems (3,145)
- Electrical System problems (520)
- Steering problems (519)
- Power Train problems (432)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (407)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (346)
- Exterior Lighting problems (252)
- Service Brakes problems (202)
See all KIA Soul problems.