Head-to-head reliability
KIA Forte vs KIA SOUL
How the KIA Forte and KIA SOUL compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Forte vs KIA SOUL: The Forte averaged 110.8 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Soul averaged 224.5, more than double. Both have engine and stalling issues, but the Soul has more engine-related complaints and a specific recall for oil consumption. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Forte or KIA SOUL more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Forte
The KIA Forte is a compact sedan that has averaged about 111 complaints per year over the past decade, with engine issues dominating the reports. Owners frequently describe stalling, failure to start or accelerate, and metal particles in the oil, which can lead to costly repairs. While the Forte has fewer complaints than the Soul, the engine and electrical problems are serious and can leave you stranded.
KIA SOUL
The KIA Soul is a boxy compact car that has generated roughly 225 complaints per year, more than double the Forte's rate. The vast majority of complaints center on engine failures, including stalling, excessive oil consumption, and internal damage, with many owners referencing a specific recall for 2.0L Nu MPI engines. This suggests a higher likelihood of major engine trouble that could be dangerous and expensive.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Forte | KIA SOUL |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,108 Better | 2,245 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 | 13 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 103 | 103 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 110.8 Better | 224.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 68 Better | 103 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 Better | 13 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Forte
- 01ENGINE458
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER202
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM151
- 04POWER TRAIN120
- 05AIR BAGS89
Owners report engines that won't start or accelerate, often within the first year or low mileage. Some find metal particles in the oil, indicating internal damage that can lead to complete engine failure.
Complaints describe cars that stall and shut down while driving, sometimes repeatedly, leaving drivers unable to restart or shift into neutral. This can happen in traffic and is a serious safety concern.
Stalling upon acceleration and transmission issues are reported, with some cars failing to accelerate properly from a stop. This affects drivability and can be dangerous when merging or crossing intersections.
Owners mention steering that loosens or tightens, alignment problems, and complete air conditioning failures. These issues may not always trigger a warning light but affect comfort and control.
“While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function…”
“In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting…”
KIA SOUL
- 01ENGINE1,420
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER321
- 03POWER TRAIN255
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING208
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM185
Many owners report stalling, shutting off in traffic, and excessive oil consumption, often linked to faulty piston rings. Some complaints reference a recall for 2.0L Nu MPI engines due to fire risk.
Loud engine noises, check engine lights, and diagnostic codes like P1C28 are common. These can indicate internal mechanical problems that may require expensive repairs.
Drivability problems include rough idle, loss of power, reduced speed, unresponsive throttle, and stalling. Some owners see smoke from the engine, which could signal a serious failure.
Electrical issues can cause the car to turn off while driving, often without warning. This is a recurring complaint that may leave drivers stranded or in dangerous situations.
“I am writing to formally report a concern regarding my 2022 Kia Soul, which is exhibiting symptoms identical to those described in NHTSA Recall 25V099000 (engine recall for excessive oil consumption and potential fire risk in 2.0L Nu MPI engines). Vehicle Inf…”
“Weeks before the vehicle completely shut down, my car began stalling and shutting off in traffic without warning while driving. I was usually able to turn the vehicle off and restart it, and it would come back on temporarily. At red lights and stop signs, the…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Forte — 16 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
The risk: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia custo…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
KIA SOUL — 13 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
The risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia c…
The defect: 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.
The risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air b…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-8…
Buyer analysis
KIA Forte or KIA SOUL: which should you buy?
The KIA Forte has far fewer complaints per year (about 111) compared to the KIA Soul (about 225), so on paper the Forte appears less problematic. However, both suffer from serious engine and stalling issues that can be costly and dangerous. In practice, the Soul's higher complaint rate and engine-focused problems mean a higher risk of major repairs.
Key differences
- The Soul has more than double the annual complaint rate of the Forte, with engine issues being the most common problem.
- Soul owners frequently mention a specific engine recall for excessive oil consumption and fire risk, while Forte complaints are more varied across engine, electrical, and power train.
- Forte complaints include stalling and failure to accelerate, but the Soul has more reports of engines shutting off while driving and internal damage like metal particles.
- Both have electrical problems that can cause stalling, but the Soul's higher volume of engine-related complaints suggests a greater likelihood of major mechanical failure.
- Check for any signs of engine trouble: listen for unusual noises, look for metal particles in the oil, and ask about any history of stalling or failure to start.
- Test the electrical system thoroughly: ensure the car doesn't stall when idling or driving, and check that all electronics, including the fuel pump, work reliably.
- Inspect for engine issues: look for excessive oil consumption, check for recall 25V099000 completion, and listen for loud engine noises or rough idling.
- Test drive extensively: watch for stalling, loss of power, or unresponsive throttle, and check for any smoke from the engine or exhaust.
Before you buy
- Ask for the complete service history and confirm whether any open recalls (especially engine-related) have been repaired.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a compression test and oil analysis for both models.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, stalling, or unusual noises from the engine and electrical systems.
- Check for dashboard warning lights and use an OBD-II scanner to look for stored trouble codes, especially those related to the engine or transmission.
- Verify the vehicle identification number (VIN) with NHTSA to see if there are any outstanding safety recalls.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Forte | KIA SOUL |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 30 |
| 2023 | 63 | 52 |
| 2022 | 27 | 88 |
| 2021 | 68 | 234 |
| 2020 | 76 | 381 |
| 2019 | 147 | 136 |
| 2018 | 136 | 218 |
| 2017 | 303 | 272 |
| 2016 | 3 | 822 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Forte or KIA SOUL in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Forte vs KIA SOUL
- KIA Forte total complaints
- 1,108
- KIA SOUL total complaints
- 2,245
- KIA Forte total recalls
- 16
- KIA SOUL total recalls
- 13
- KIA Forte avg complaints/year
- 110.8
- KIA SOUL avg complaints/year
- 224.5
- More reliable overall
- KIA Forte
- KIA Forte top complaint area
- ENGINE
- KIA SOUL top complaint area
- ENGINE