2017 Kia Soul Problems & Complaints

Most common 2017 Kia Soul problems

• Engine & cooling~83,000 miles
  19873%
• Other / not specified~20,000 miles
  3212%
• Electrical system~20,000 miles
  197%
• Fuel & propulsion system~72,000 miles
  197%
• Transmission & drivetrain~80,000 miles
  197%
• Air bags~40,000 miles
  166%
• Brakes~50,000 miles
  145%
• Steering~44,000 miles
  104%
• Speed control & acceleration~7,000 miles
  83%
• Wheels & tires~6,000 miles
  41%
• Body & structure~1,000 miles
  41%
• Suspension~121,000 miles
  41%
• Seat belts~53,000 miles
  21%
• Seats~18,000 miles
  10%
• Stability & traction control~9,000 miles
  10%
• Equipment & accessories~12,000 miles
  10%
• Lights~63,000 miles
  10%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof
  10%

Share of the 272 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Kia Soul complaints by model year

Best Soul years: 2010, 2011, 2025. Years to avoid: 2015, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021. Compare all years →

2017 Kia Soul recalls (1)

What 2017 Kia Soul owners say

Engine & cooling all 198 →

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound inside the vehicle then the vehicle started to decelerate without warning. The contact then stated that other drivers on the road alerted the contact's friend that a fire had ignited underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's friend was able to pull the vehicle off the road and exit the vehicle. The local authorities were notified and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot where the technician diagnosed the vehicle that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, a cloud of black-colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact used his emergency brake to stop and immediately exited the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle quickly caught fire; by the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was incinerated. A fire report and police report were both filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The contact went to the unknown dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. While the contact was asleep, they were awoken by an abnormal burning smell. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the rear end of the vehicle had caught fire. A neighbor called the authorities and the fire department extinguished the fire. The fire department informed the contact that the fire was caused by an electrical wiring failure in the rear taillights. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle remained in the contact's possession. The vehicle had yet to be inspected or diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

I reported the issue yesterday, but we have additional information. Here is a timeline of the incident as recorded by the doorbell camera: 2026-05-03 085400 Car parked 101423 Car is already trying to start by itself 101713 Car still starting, starter slowing down 101734 Starter sounds overheated 101740 Starter slows to stop 101835 First visible smoke 102304 Neighbor notices 102338 I was notified 102452 Used extinguisher 102600 Fire out 102744 Called the fire department 103600 Fire department arrives shortly after I have camera videos showing much of the timeline. I cannot upload because they exceed the limits of this form. Well over an hour after the car was driven, the starter engaged. It ran for almost 4 minutes straight as far as I can tell. In the videos we have, you can hear it seize up from the heat. About a minute later, smoke is visible. …

Fuel & propulsion system

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while either stopped at a stoplight or while making a turn, the vehicle would lose motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel system failure due to trash in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was invalid.

My cars check engine light has come on at 87,659 miles with a p0420 code. My dealer has determined that this is a defective catalytic converter and because of the mileage it is not warrantied. In doing research the 2012-2016 Kia Soul with the 1.6 gdi engine. My car is a 2017 experiencing the same symptoms as the cars a year older. The recall campaign is 19v120000 with the NHTSA and SC 176 with KIA dating back to 04/17/2019. My cars model year being a 2017 had not been determined at that time to be effected as the mileage had not yet accumulated to the mileage of the previous years. Now that my 2017 car had reached the mileage in which previous cars where effected , it too is experiencing this defect. …

2017 Kia Soul engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.