Head-to-head reliability

KIA Sorento vs KIA SOUL

How the KIA Sorento and KIA SOUL compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

KIA Sorento791 complaints · 6 recalls Fewer issues per year
KIA SOUL2,185 complaints · 13 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

KIA Sorento vs KIA SOUL: The Sorento averages 79 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the Soul averages 218 complaints per year with 13 recalls. Engine issues dominate both, but the Soul has more severe stalling reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the KIA Sorento or KIA SOUL more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

KIA Sorento

The KIA Sorento, over the past decade, has accumulated 791 complaints, averaging about 79 per year, with 6 recalls. The dominant issue is engine trouble, with 285 complaints, often involving oil consumption and internal failures. Owners also report electrical gremlins, such as sunroof malfunctions and camera issues, and transmission problems that can lead to sudden loss of power. While not the highest complaint count, the nature of these failures suggests a vehicle that may require frequent repairs, especially as it ages.

KIA SOUL

The KIA Soul shows a much higher complaint volume, with 2,185 complaints over 10 years (about 218 per year) and 13 recalls. Engine problems dominate, with 1,381 complaints, including severe issues like sudden shutdowns and stalling. Owners also report transmission troubles, electrical system failures, and a range of other issues that can affect safety and reliability. This pattern indicates a vehicle with significant reliability concerns, particularly in the engine and drivetrain, which could lead to costly repairs and potential safety hazards.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryKIA SorentoKIA SOUL
Total complaintsAll model years combined791 Better2,185
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns6 Better13
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints31 Better103
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years79.1 Better218.5
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints34 Better102
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints1 Better13

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 Sorento

  1. 01ENGINE285
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER175
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM134
  4. 04POWER TRAIN81
  5. 05STRUCTURE69
What these mean
Engine

Owners report excessive oil consumption, requiring adding oil every 1,000 miles, and internal failures like head gasket and piston issues. Some have experienced misfires and even engine failure, leading to towing incidents.

Electrical System

Common issues include sunroof malfunctioning (closing slowly or not at all) and infotainment screen showing 'No Camera Signal' when reversing, which can be a safety concern for visibility.

Power Train

Transmission problems are reported, including hesitation, slipping, hard shifting, and even complete failure requiring replacement, sometimes multiple times within a short period.

In owners' words — ENGINE

2018 Kia Sorento, under 88,000 miles, with Theta II engine defect. KSDS update installed. Oil consumption issues requiring adding at least one liter of oil every 1,000 miles in between regular oil changes/ maintenance. Oil warning lamp does not illuminate at…

My car for the last 2 years has had multiple malfunctions with misfiring and replacement of head gaskets, pistons and more. Not to mention consistence oil concerns. On two occasions my family and I had to have the vehicle towed home over 200 miles because the…

KIA SOUL

  1. 01ENGINE1,381
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER307
  3. 03POWER TRAIN252
  4. 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING201
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM181
What these mean
Engine

The most frequent complaints involve engine stalling or shutting down while driving, often at highway speeds, and issues with the crankshaft and camshaft. Some owners report the car turning on by itself, which is alarming.

Power Train

Transmission issues include battery discharge and Auto Start/Stop warning lights, with recalls for electric oil pump failures. Owners also report rough shifting and loss of power.

Electrical System

Dashboard warnings for forward safety system and other features intermittently appear, causing systems to temporarily stop working, which can be distracting and potentially dangerous.

In owners' words — ENGINE

I purchased a used 2025 Kia Soul with approximately 12,930 miles on the odometer in July 2026. Prior to Friday, August 1, 2026, I had not experienced any warning lights, warning messages, drivability issues, or other symptoms. The vehicle appeared to operate…

On 8/15/23 I received my car back from the dealership after almost a month of repairs, trying to fix the issue where it would turn itself on and where it shut down while driving 45 miles an hour; at various points I was told it was the crankshaft, camshaft, s…

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 Sorento — 6 recalls

Electrical System — Wiring
#24V287000

The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Sorento vehicles. The motor driven power steering (MDPS) wiring harness may be incorrectly assembled, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.

The risk: A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the MDPS wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall i…

Electrical System — Body Control Module — Software
#25V006000

The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…

The risk: A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.

Steering — Electric Power Assist System
#18V656000

The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.

The risk: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.

Air Bags — Side/Window
#17V784000Aug 2017

The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

The risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…

KIA SOUL — 13 recalls

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#23V298000

The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information wh…

The risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Fluid/Lubricant — Pump
#23V531000

The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.

The risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be…

Air Bags
#23V830000

The defect: 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.

The risk: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.

The fix: 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. Kia's number for this reca…

Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
#25V099000

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…

Buyer analysis

KIA Sorento or KIA SOUL: which should you buy?

The KIA Sorento has fewer complaints per year (79 vs 218) and fewer recalls (6 vs 13), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, both vehicles have serious engine and transmission problems that could lead to costly repairs and safety risks. The Sorento may be a slightly better bet, but both require careful inspection and maintenance history review.

Recommendation. If you prioritize lower complaint rates and fewer recalls, the KIA Sorento is the safer choice. However, if you need a more budget-friendly option and can accept higher risk, the Soul might be tempting, but be prepared for potential engine and transmission issues. Always get a thorough pre-purchase inspection and check for open recalls.

Key differences

  • The Soul has nearly three times the complaints per year as the Sorento, with engine issues being far more prevalent (1,381 vs 285).
  • The Soul has more than double the recalls (13 vs 6), including multiple for engine internal parts, while the Sorento's recalls are more varied (wiring, steering, airbags).
  • Soul owners report sudden engine shutdowns and stalling, which are safety-critical, whereas Sorento owners more often cite oil consumption and gradual engine wear.
  • Transmission failures are reported in both, but the Soul's issues include battery discharge and oil pump failures, while the Sorento's are more about shifting and hesitation.
Watch on KIA Sorento
  • Check for engine oil consumption: ask about oil usage between changes and look for signs of burning oil (blue smoke).
  • Test the sunroof operation and reverse camera functionality, as these are common electrical complaints.
Watch on KIA SOUL
  • Listen for engine stalling or rough idling, and check for any warning lights related to the engine or transmission.
  • Verify that all recalls have been performed, especially those for the engine and electric oil pump, and ask about any recent repairs.

Before you buy

  • Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
  • Have a trusted mechanic perform a compression test and oil consumption check on the engine.
  • Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to feel for transmission slipping or hesitation.
  • Inspect the electrical systems: sunroof, infotainment, and all dashboard warning lights.
  • Ask for maintenance records, especially oil change intervals and any major repairs.

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.

YearKIA SorentoKIA SOUL
20256812
20243628
2023048
2022088
202121223
20200367
2019418134
2018248212
20170270
Years to scrutinize: the 2019 KIA Sorento drew the most complaints (418); the 2016 KIA SOUL drew the most (803). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Sorento or KIA SOUL in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

KIA Sorento vs KIA SOUL — comparison facts
Comparison
KIA Sorento vs KIA SOUL
KIA Sorento total complaints
791
KIA SOUL total complaints
2,185
KIA Sorento total recalls
6
KIA SOUL total recalls
13
KIA Sorento avg complaints/year
79.1
KIA SOUL avg complaints/year
218.5
More reliable overall
KIA Sorento
KIA Sorento top complaint area
ENGINE
KIA SOUL top complaint area
ENGINE