Best and worst Kia Soul years — which to avoid

As long as you can manage to avoid problematic model years, the Kia Soul makes a perfect choice on the used car market with a blend of efficiency and practicality. However, having more than a few years to avoid made drivers think twice before purchasing this model.

So, our team rated the best and worst Kia Soul years so you won’t have to bother, and we outlined the biggest model-specific problems along the way. We only used prominent driving safety organizations like NHTSA records as references for configuring the worst model years to avoid, and the rest of this guide will showcase our findings.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Kia Soul years

To make this guide as accurate as possible, our team only relied on information listed from renowned car agencies like NHTSA and IIHS. There, we were able to find information on common NHTSA complaints and recalls of the model which helped us rate the best and worst model years.

Of course, we also used other reputable sources of information like Edmunds ratings, Consumer Reports reviews, and KBB records. Our final touch was adding some first-hand driver experiences left by real Kia Soul owners on popular forum threads, and that’s how we rated the following best and worst years:

Most common Kia Soul problems

While the idea of what Kia Soul has to offer seems more than appealing, especially for the affordable price range it comes with, some model-specific issues can’t be overlooked. Most notably, Kia Soul had some problems with the 1.6-liter GDI and 2.0-liter Nu MPI engines, but we’ll discuss all of the commonly reported issues for your buying convenience.

1. Engine problems

Sadly, there was more than one engine issue reported for various model years of the Kia Soul, starting from the 1.6-liter GDI petrol engine from the first generation. Kia Soul owners who drove cars with this engine reported a seemingly harmless issue with the exhaust gases and their abnormally high engine temperature.

While this didn’t seem like much of an issue, it caused damaged pistons and piston rod damage. As if that wasn’t enough, this issue also led to a damaged catalytic converter in some cases due to the temperature of exhaust gases. Another problematic engine found in Kia Soul vehicles is the 2.0-liter Nu MPI, also a four-cylinder petrol engine.

This one had issues with engine cooling, and there was an official recall by Kia in 2020 that included 2014 and 2015 Kia Soul vehicles with this engine. In the worst-case scenario, the poor engine cooling even caused a fire hazard, so that’s a key feature to factor in while deciding on the Kia Soul model year to buy.

2. Steering system issues

Well, there’s nothing worse than having engine problems while driving, but Kia Soul also had steering problems in certain model years. Namely, this problem led to crunching and rattling noises when steering, and it was an obvious threat signal to drivers.

The essence of this problem was in the malfunctioning pinion gear that produced clunking noise while steering to the side. In the worst situations, this also led to separation from the steering gear assembly. If not dealt with on time, this problem could further lead to trouble rotating the steering wheel.

3. Faulty airbags

Unfortunately, Kia Soul went through an official recall in 2014 regarding the airbag system and faulty airbags. This problem is a serious safety concern for future buyers, so it’s only natural that we dig a bit deeper and figure this out.

The recalls were mainly associated with the 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Kia Soul models. The main concern behind this is that the frontal airbag won’t deploy on time, and there were some issues with the SRS light signaling a bad airbag module.

4. Electric problems and wiring harness faults

Electric issues that are commonly associated with Kia Soul models aren’t that serious, but they mostly include issues with the exterior lighting. Also, sensors installed in the door trim panel are known to malfunction and these are among the main problems with Kia Soul’s electrical features.

The lighting issues persisted from the first generation to the current generation, while they were mostly expressed for the 2010 model year.

Worst Kia Soul years to avoid

While the unpleasant noises caused by steering issues and the electrical or lighting faults are troublesome, there’s nothing worse than an engine issue. So, now that you are familiar with all those issues, your biggest question probably is – what are the worst Kia Soul years?

The worst Kia Soul years are by far the 2008 and 2014 models, but there are sadly a few more that you should avoid:

• 2008
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2019

Currently, there are three generations of Kia Soul models, and these are the main model years you should steer away from when buying:

First-generation Kia Soul (2008 and 2012 model years)

Like with most car models, the first production year came with a few issues that were standard for the Kia Soul model. So, it’s best to avoid the 2008 Kia Soul, as well as the 2012 Kia Soul model year. When choosing the first-gen Kia Soul, it’s best to steer away from these two model years, especially when equipped with a 1.6-liter GDI engine.

Going with a 2.0-liter Beta II inline-four petrol engine is a far more reliable option, as well as the 1.6-liter CRDI diesel engine. Besides the engine troubles, the 2012 model year Kia Soul also had problems with a steering wheel that’s hard to turn and suspension issues. So, it’s no wonder that this model year was deemed the worst.

Second-generation Kia Soul (2013-2016 model years)

The second generation of the Kia Soul also had a few expressed issues including engine problems that were characteristic of the first generation. However, this time it’s the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine that’s causing trouble for Soul owners in model years 2013 to 2016.

Besides the petrol engine issues, there are also a few other problems, especially airbag issues that resulted in the 2014 to 2015 Kia Soul recalls. On top of that, there’s the issue with an electric harness, so it’s best to go for a 2017 or 2018 model if you wish to pick a second-gen Kia Soul.

Third-generation Kia Soul (2019 model year)

Finally, the third generation of Kia Soul is the most reliable generation yet with a few expressed problems. The 2019 model year is the only one that’s problematic due to its passenger airbag fault which resulted in an official recall.

Besides that, there were a few engine issues and once again it’s the 2.0-liter petrol engine that was causing this trouble. Besides that, the 2020 and 2021 model years are deemed quite reliable and this is the period where Soul got a modernized interior and other modern features.

What are the best Kia Soul model years to buy?

Kia Soul is a perfect compact crossover for city roads and it caters to everyone’s needs in terms of load capacity and interior space for up to 4 passengers. However, having enlisted so many issues, you might be afraid that it’s not a model worth your attention if you’ve made it this far into our guide.

To show you that there are, in fact, more than reliable Kia Soul models, we’ve compiled a list of the best-rated years:

• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2017
• 2018
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022

The most reliable Kia Soul model year is 2018 so we’ll explain why this one makes the best possible choice on the used car market.

2018 Kia Soul

The only issue that a third-gen Kia Soul had was an airbag issue caused by a faulty passenger’s side airbag, and the best-rated model year out of all these is 2018. It’s also the best possible pick you can make in our team’s opinion due to a low number of NHTSA complaints, and this model year was finally free of any engine-related issues.

The main qualities that make this model year ahead of the rest is reliable and smooth engine operation, no issues with the cooling system as with previous model years, and lack of any steering-related problems thanks to a new power steering system being used.

Is the Kia Soul worth buying?

Kia Soul is more than just a decent ride in the budget-friendly price range for a daily commuter. It’s a perfect choice for those in need of a larger cargo area due to folding back seats, and it offers just enough space for up to four passengers in a compact car with raised clearance.

As long as you avoid the 2012 to 2016 model years, your new Kia Soul will serve you fine, and hopefully, our guide helped clear out your doubts about the problematic model years.

When exploring distinctive and versatile vehicles like the Honda Element, and Scion xB, you’re venturing into a realm where unique design meets practicality. Our reviews are designed to identify those specific years that might best be avoided, based on a combination of reliability data, owner testimonials, and recall information.