Vehicle 1

KIA SOUL

1,333 complaints · 11 recalls

VS

Vehicle 2

Chevrolet Silverado

6,180 complaints · 100 recalls

📊 Based on NHTSA owner complaint & recall data
Which Should I Buy?

KIA SOUL vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Soul has 1333 complaints over 10 years (133.3/year) and 11 recalls, while the Silverado has 6180 complaints (618/year) and 100 recalls. The Silverado shows higher risk in engine and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

Category Wins

Lower numbers are better for complaints, recalls, and crashes.

4
KIA SOUL
wins all 4 categories
0
Chevrolet Silverado
no category wins
CategoryKIA SOULChevrolet Silverado
Total Complaints
All years combined
1,333
✓ lower
6,180
Safety Recalls
Federal campaigns
11
✓ lower
100
Crash Reports
Crash-related complaints
74
✓ lower
192
Avg / Year
Complaints per model year
133.3
✓ lower
618.0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records. Lower is better.

Top Problem Areas

Most frequently reported components across all model years.

KIA SOUL

1. ENGINE803
2. POWER TRAIN181
3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER178
4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM119
5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING92

Chevrolet Silverado

1. ENGINE1,861
2. POWER TRAIN1,714
3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,163
4. SERVICE BRAKES950
5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER663
🤖
AI Buyer Analysis
DeepSeek interpretation of NHTSA data · cached result
The Verdict

The Chevrolet Silverado has significantly more complaints per year (618.0) than the Kia Soul (133.3), indicating a higher frequency of reported issues. For a buyer, this suggests the Soul may have fewer overall problems, but both vehicles have notable concerns.

💡 Buyer Recommendation

If you prioritize fewer complaints and lower recall frequency, the Kia Soul is the better choice. However, if you need a full-size truck and can accept higher risk of issues, the Silverado may still suit your needs, but be prepared for potential engine and brake problems.

Key Differences
  • Silverado has 6180 total complaints vs Soul's 1333, and 100 recalls vs 11.
  • Silverado's top issue is ENGINE (1861) and POWER TRAIN (1714); Soul's top is ENGINE (803) and POWER TRAIN (181).
  • Silverado has 192 crash complaints; Soul has 74.
  • Silverado has 950 SERVICE BRAKES complaints; Soul has none listed.
⚠ Watch on KIA SOUL
  • Watch for engine problems (803 complaints) and power train issues (181).
  • Check for electrical system complaints (119) and unknown/other issues (178).
⚠ Watch on Chevrolet Silverado
  • Be alert for engine (1861) and power train (1714) complaints, which are very high.
  • Also watch for electrical system (1163) and service brake (950) issues.
✓ Before You Buy — Checklist
  • Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles.
  • Get a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
  • Review service history for engine and transmission repairs.
  • Test drive to feel for any unusual noises or vibrations.
  • Research common issues for the specific model year.

Complaints by Model Year

Years available for both vehicles (lower is better).

KIA SOULChevrolet Silverado
2026
0
51
2025
11
117
2024
25
470
2023
48
385
2022
85
1204
2021
212
864
2020
352
0
2019
128
1941
2018
205
0
2017
267
1148
KIA SOUL vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
KIA SOUL vs Chevrolet Silverado
KIA SOUL total complaints
1,333
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
6,180
KIA SOUL total recalls
11
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
KIA SOUL avg complaints/year
133.3
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
618.0
More reliable overall
KIA SOUL
KIA SOUL top complaint area
ENGINE
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Full Reliability Reports

Full Report →

KIA SOUL Reliability & Problems

1,333 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Full Report →

Chevrolet Silverado Reliability & Problems

6,180 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Buying a specific KIA SOUL or Chevrolet Silverado?

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