Head-to-head reliability
KIA SOUL vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the KIA SOUL and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA SOUL vs Chevrolet Silverado: Over 10 years, the Soul had 2,245 complaints (224.5/year) and 13 recalls, while the Silverado had 8,227 complaints (822.7/year) and 101 recalls. The Soul's issues are mostly engine-related, while the Silverado's span engine, power train, and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA SOUL or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA SOUL
The Kia Soul is a compact, budget-friendly hatchback that has drawn a high number of engine-related complaints relative to its total volume. Over 10 years, owners filed 2,245 complaints, with 1,420 about the engine, often describing stalling, oil consumption, and internal mechanical failures. Recalls include engine hard parts and electrical instrument cluster issues. While not every Soul will have problems, the pattern suggests that engine health is the main thing to watch in used examples.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much larger sales volume, and its 8,227 complaints over 10 years reflect that scale. Engine and power train complaints dominate, with many owners reporting sudden loss of power, transmission problems, and brake issues. There are also 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings. For a used buyer, the sheer number of reported issues means a thorough inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA SOUL | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,245 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 103 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 224.5 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 103 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 13 | 3 Better |
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 SOUL
- 01ENGINE1,420
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER321
- 03POWER TRAIN255
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING208
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM185
Owners frequently report stalling, excessive oil consumption, and internal engine damage, sometimes linked to recall 25V099 for 2.0L Nu MPI engines. These symptoms can lead to sudden shutdowns while driving, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints describe rough idling, loss of power, unresponsive throttle, and smoke from the exhaust. These issues can progress to stalling and reduced speed, making the vehicle unreliable for daily driving.
Some owners report instrument cluster problems and unexplained electrical glitches. These can cause warning lights to malfunction or accessories to fail, complicating diagnosis and repair.
Many complaints mention engine defects and stalling without a specific component, often citing difficulty getting dealerships to reproduce the problem. This can leave owners frustrated with unresolved safety risks.
“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…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, excessive diesel soot accumulation in Duramax models, and other failures even at low mileage. These can strand drivers and require costly dealer repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral, loss of acceleration, and transmission problems. Such failures can happen in parking lots or on the road, increasing crash risk.
Reports describe sudden loss of braking assist, engine shut-off with 'Return to Neutral' messages, and blank screens. These electrical faults can disable critical safety features without warning.
Owners describe brake pedal firmness but reduced stopping power, sometimes accompanied by other electrical issues. This can make it hard to stop safely, especially in emergencies.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
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 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…
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
KIA SOUL or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Kia Soul averages about 225 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year. That means the Silverado has roughly 3.7 times more complaints annually, though it also sells in much higher volumes. In practice, the Soul's issues are more concentrated in the engine, while the Silverado's are spread across engine, power train, electrical, and brakes.
Key differences
- The Kia Soul has far fewer complaints per year (224.5 vs 822.7), but its complaints are heavily engine-focused, with many stalling and oil consumption reports.
- The Chevrolet Silverado has more recalls (101 vs 13) and a wider range of problem areas, including brakes and electrical systems that can affect safety.
- Kia Soul owners often mention recall 25V099 for engine defects, while Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdowns and transmission failures even at low mileage.
- The Silverado has more crash-related complaints (233 vs 103) and injuries (160 vs 103), though it also has a much larger fleet on the road.
- Check for any signs of excessive oil consumption, such as low oil levels or blue exhaust smoke, and ask if the engine has been inspected for recall 25V099.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for abnormal engine noises or stalling; also check that all instrument cluster warning lights function correctly.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any sudden loss of power, transmission slipping, or unexpected engine shutdowns, especially when slowing down or in parking situations.
- Inspect brake pedal feel and function; also check for any electrical glitches like blank screens or warning messages about returning to neutral.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN, especially engine-related recalls for the Kia Soul and fuel pump or brake recalls for the Silverado.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems for both vehicles.
- For the Kia Soul, ask for maintenance records showing regular oil changes and any engine repairs; for the Silverado, check for transmission service and brake system repairs.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate conditions that trigger stalling or power loss.
- Verify that all safety features, such as brakes and warning lights, work properly, and consider a diagnostic scan for stored trouble codes.
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 SOUL | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 157 |
| 2024 | 30 | 527 |
| 2023 | 52 | 450 |
| 2022 | 88 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 234 | 961 |
| 2020 | 381 | 868 |
| 2019 | 136 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 218 | 597 |
| 2017 | 272 | 1154 |
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 SOUL or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA SOUL vs Chevrolet Silverado
- KIA SOUL total complaints
- 2,245
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- KIA SOUL total recalls
- 13
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- KIA SOUL avg complaints/year
- 224.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- KIA SOUL
- KIA SOUL top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE