Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 9% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% | 49,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% | 26,000 miles |
| 2019 | 15 | 11% | 120,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 6% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 17 | 2% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2013 | 18 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 26 | 13% | 57,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 16% | 53,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have had my car to the dealership 3 times and scheduled for a4th time for this same issue. It is intermittent which I realize makes it hard to diagnose however the dealership kept it overnight in 2nd visit to try to reproduce it and they did. When driving, the car will randomly start beeping and errors cycle thru in the dash. It tells me that my braking system needs to be checked then lighting system, airbag system failing etc. It goes thru about 5 or 6 system errors. Not always same sysyems and not going at same rate of speed when it happens. I have been told it isn't a safety issue however they apparently do not know what it is causing it to do that so I'm not sure how they can definitively say that. 1st visit I was told they did a software update and that"fixed the problem". After a few weeks it started again. Then I was told that the front camera needed to be recalibrated. …
The airbag in this 2023 Kia Soul vehicle had a faulty airbag deployment. The steering wheel airbag exploded upon a minor impact of under 20 mph and no other airbags deployed. The steering wheel airbag never fully deployed or made driver contact, it just simply exploded. The dealership was notified, but declined to research the car immediately following the impact and said that was not part of their repairs and to take the vehicle to a body shop. So, no investigation was done by the dealership to identify the airbag's faulty deployment. Then, the manufacturer refused investigation when a case was filed and waited several weeks after pictures and a full report was filed to say they were dropping the case. Insurance did not declare the claim as a total loss and $7000 of work was performed. …
The contact owned a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle attempted to merge in front of the contact, causing the front driver side of the vehicle to collide with the rear passenger end of another vehicle, but the air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries. Medical attention was not sought as of yet; however has a doctor appointment scheduled. The vehicle was then towed to a tow lot where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul X-Line. The contact stated while at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended and the seat belts did not retract nor did none of the airbags deploy. The contact sustained shoulder bruises and a hip bruise. The contact's friend was sitting in the passenger side front seat and sustained a head injury that required stitches. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to an insurance lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
My daughter was driving her 2021 KIA Soul S and a Chevy Silverado suddenly pulled in front of her. The crash report says impact was at 50 mph. My daughter survived the crash; however, the vehicle immediately caught on fire and flames entered the cabin from what was left of the engine compartment. Her airbag inflated, but did not deflate. She punched the airbag to make enough room for her to try and exit the vehicle, but her driver's door would not open using the handle even after manually unlocking the door. Only after repeated Black Belt level martial arts' kicks and elbow thrusts did the door open and my daughter was able to exit before the car was consumed by flames. A police report and picture will be sent. Please investigate - no one should have to suffer fate of burning to death.
While crossing an intersection a Jeep Gladiator ran a red light causing my vehicle to hit it broad side. Front and side airbags did not deploy. The frontend was damaged is buckled, hood about 6", fenders crushed and the grill was destroyed. Driver's door wouldn't open. The seatbelt didn't restrain my wife enogh to keep her from hitting the steering wheel. This caused bruises on her leg , abdomen and chest areas.
Immediately after purchase, the Passenger Airbag warning light illuminated. An authorized Kia dealer confirmed that the airbag system is defective and requires repair under warranty. Despite this confirmation, more than five (5) months have passed without repair, citing parts unavailability. I am operating a vehicle with a known airbag malfunction. This defect involves a federally regulated safety system and poses a safety risk.
I was in a front end collision with another vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. I impacted the second vehicle in their side passenger door at about 45-50 MPH. This happened on us hwy 27 n in clermont, florida. Both my husband and myself were transported to the er. I was driving a 2020 Kia Soul.
Related recalls (3)
Air bags
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.
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.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module › Software
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Soul years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (26), 2014 (26), 2010 (21), 2015 (20) and 2013 (18) model years. Airbag complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Kia Soul airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 23V-830 (air bags, Dec 22, 2023); 22V-096 (software, Feb 18, 2022); 22V-031 (air bags, Jan 25, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Soul airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (3 mentions), followed by the side/window (1).
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.