2023 Kia Soul
4 recalls · 45 complaints · Safety Score D
Recall History
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information wh...
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
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 & Remedy
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.
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 & Remedy
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.
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 & Remedy
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.
Recent Complaints
| Date | Component | Description | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/20/2026 | Electrical System | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel be... | No | No |
| 03/12/2026 | Exterior Lighting | See attached document for complaint. | No | No |
| 03/08/2026 | Steering,vehicle Speed Control,service Brakes | 3/6/26 5:50 am unintended acceleration w such force pulling car toward right side n unable to stop, jumped over side wal... | No | No |
| 02/16/2026 | Air Bags | The airbag in this 2023 Kia Soul vehicle had a faulty airbag deployment. The steering wheel airbag exploded upon a minor... | No | No |
| 12/27/2025 | Unknown or Other | Honking function no longer works, this is a consistent problem noticed first on the beginning of December 2025, when I n... | No | No |
| 09/26/2025 | Service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance | When driving my vehicle under normal conditions, the car will unexpectedly slow down on its own, and the system brake li... | No | No |
| 09/25/2025 | Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,lane Departure | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery discharge and Auto START/STOP warning lights were ... | No | No |
| 09/23/2025 | Steering,electrical System,lane Departure | Since I purchased the car the steering wheel will jerk, when im on a 2 lane road. It always jerks towards on-coming traf... | No | No |
| 09/10/2025 | Electrical System | I am reporting a recurring safety issue with my Kia vehicle that began around Labor Day 2025. The vehicle has abruptly s... | No | No |
| 08/07/2025 | Unknown or Other,back Over Prevention,forward Collision Avoidance | First I get a safety issue warning with the front camera then I get a safety issue warning with a back camera well those... | No | No |
Most Complained-About Components
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2023 Kia Soul has 4 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA. Total complaints filed: 45.
The 2023 Kia Soul has a Safety Score of 33/100 (Grade D). This score factors in recall severity (40%), complaint frequency (30%), crash and fire reports (20%), and trend direction (10%).
The 2023 Kia Soul received a Safety Score of D. This vehicle has a below-average safety record — review the specific recalls and complaints below. There are 4 crash reports on file. There are 1 fire reports.
Contact your nearest Kia dealership to schedule a free recall repair. You can also check your specific vehicle by VIN at NHTSA.gov. Manufacturers are required by law to fix recall-related defects at no cost.
Safety Score is calculated from recall severity (40%), complaint frequency (30%), crash/fire reports (20%), and safety trend (10%).