Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 6% | 33,000 miles |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% | 96,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 4% | 13,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 8 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% | 7,000 miles |
| 2016 | 33 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2015 | 30 | 3% | 95,000 miles |
| 2014 | 31 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% | 25,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% | 119,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% | 79,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 7% | 47,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery discharge and Auto START/STOP warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V531000 (Power Train), for which the dealer replaced the electric oil pump controller as the remedy. After the repair, the cruise control was unintendedly activated. The Lane Keep Assist feature was intermittently activated independently. While refueling, the fuel gauge was half full and took approximately 30-40 minutes before quickly displaying a full tank. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the recall repair was completed; however, the vehicle was not taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
I was backing up into my parking place in an alley way. I was turning slightly to the right to fit in and the car started to accelerate. I hit the back wall with the rear of my car. I put the car into drive not realizing it was still accelerating. I had my right foot on the brake. When I put the car into drive it accelerate very quickly even with my foot on the brake and I crashed into a door garage, wrecking my car, the garage door and the vehicle parked inside the garage. The automatic emergency braking system never activated either.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the month that the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The ABS, traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance, and System Check warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure was progressively worsened. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminate every seven miles of driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure was later diagnosed as a control area network failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) However upon having the vehicle inspected by a local dealer, she was denied service of the recall due to the ECU unit not responding. The contact was advised that the unit needed to be replaced before having service completed for the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,700.
I was driving to work. 12 miles my oil leaked. A state trooper turned around when seeing flames and called the fire department and tow truck. I lost control of the car, nothing was working. I was only ever given one recall notice which I fixed 2 months after buying the car. The car also has issues with security. Only certain insurance companies will cover the car and their prices are higher. We took car to dealership . three months later I contact attorney general. The GM this started attacking us, denying anything happened etc. He should be fired for how he treats people. Reviews of their business show others have had issues. Kia corporate has always told us they r waiting on images yet this GM contacted them, told us to leave, and screamed he would charge us for every day it was on lot. So we had it towed the next day. Insured company will be doing their own I xpection. …
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. After several attempts, the vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. After waiting for a while the contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving slowly; however, the failure recurred. The contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
On several occasions now the vehicle has sped up on its own while parked. Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake but as soon as I let go of the brake, it went fast without my peddle on the gas. I stopped it with the break peddle and it did it again once I let go of the brake peddle. It usually takes a couple of times for the car not to do that. Also, the oil light hasn't warned me that the oil is low. The motor began rattling while I was near work and I stopped the vehicle. Someone helped me and told me that there was barely any oil in the engine. So, we added oil but now it's always rattling. It has also stalled while going up a hill. That's happened on two occasions. I believe I may have a lemon in my hands. KIA has yet to accept that it's still under warranty and they keep brushing me off.
While driving to work in my 2018 Kia soul on 10/16/21 vehicle has a significant hesitation pulling away from a stop sign/red-light. A very slight knocking noise could be heard. the oil light flickered on and then immediately went off. Next thing I know while doing 65 on the highway the oil, engine, and battery lights all lit up then suddenly power to the vehicle was gone! I managed to get the vehicle off the highway onto the shoulder of the road where I watched smoke pouring out of the engine bay. My vehicle only has 69059 miles. the 2.0L motor that is subject to many other recalls and issues is the same as what is in my Soul. . I've only had this car for less than two years! KIA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Soul years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (33), 2014 (31), 2015 (30), 2013 (17) and 2020 (14) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Kia Soul acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-123 (accelerator pedal, Mar 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Soul acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (8 mentions), followed by the cruise control (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.