Head-to-head reliability
KIA SOUL vs FORD F 150
How the KIA SOUL and FORD F 150 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 FORD F 150: The Kia Soul averaged 224.5 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 averaged 1,162.1. The Soul's complaints often involve engine stalling and oil consumption, whereas the F-150's top issues are power train and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA SOUL or FORD F 150 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 owners often rely on for daily driving. Over ten years, it has averaged about 225 complaints per year, with the majority centered on engine problems. Many owners report stalling, excessive oil consumption, and engine shutdowns, sometimes linked to recalls. Living with a Soul means staying alert to engine symptoms and ensuring recall work is done promptly.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its work capability, but it also has a high volume of complaints—over 1,100 per year on average. The most common issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently describe transmission problems, limp mode, and electrical glitches that can affect drivability. While it has many recalls, the sheer number of complaints suggests a higher rate of reported problems than the Soul.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA SOUL | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,245 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 103 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 224.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 103 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 13 | 1 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 report stalling, shutting off in traffic, and excessive oil consumption. Some complaints reference recall 25V099 for piston ring defects that can lead to engine failure or fire risk. These symptoms can leave a driver stranded and may require costly repairs if not covered by recall.
Complaints include rough idle, loss of power, reduced speed, unresponsive throttle, and smoke from the rear. These issues can make merging or passing dangerous and often progress over time. A buyer should test drive thoroughly and check for transmission or engine-related trouble codes.
Some owners report intermittent stalling where the dealership cannot find a diagnostic code. This can be frustrating and hard to fix, as the problem may not appear during a service visit. It may also relate to instrument cluster or other electrical faults.
Many complaints mention engine defects and recall 25V099, with owners frustrated that repairs are only done after failure. This suggests a pattern of premature engine wear that buyers should be aware of, especially in older models.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission issues such as limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. These can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions. The lead frame problem has been described as never-ending, affecting many model years.
Complaints include output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode, as well as rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to shatter. These electrical faults can be dangerous and expensive to repair.
This is a top complaint area, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should check all lights, including brake and turn signals, for intermittent operation or premature bulb failure.
While not the top complaint, engine issues are reported. Some may relate to the same lead frame or sensor problems that affect drivability. Regular maintenance and checking for recalls are important.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
KIA SOUL or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Kia Soul has far fewer complaints per year (about 225) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100). In practice, this means a Soul owner may encounter fewer reported problems overall, but the engine issues it does have can be severe. The F-150's higher complaint rate suggests a wider range of potential issues, especially with the power train and electrical systems.
Key differences
- The Kia Soul averages about 225 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages over 1,100, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the F-150.
- Engine problems dominate Soul complaints, with stalling and oil consumption often linked to recall 25V099, whereas F-150 complaints center on power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over ten years versus 13 for the Soul, suggesting more frequent safety-related fixes for the truck.
- Electrical issues in the F-150 include speed sensor failures and rear window shattering, while Soul electrical complaints often involve intermittent stalling with no stored codes.
- Check for any signs of excessive oil consumption, such as low oil levels or blue exhaust smoke, and confirm that recall 25V099 has been performed.
- Test drive at various speeds and idle to see if the engine stalls or shuts off unexpectedly; ask if any diagnostic trouble codes have been stored.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission going into limp mode, getting stuck in a gear, or harsh shifting, which may indicate lead frame or sensor issues.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster to ensure it works without electrical shorts.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine and transmission for the Soul, and power train and electrical for the F-150.
- For the Kia Soul, ask for proof that recall 25V099 was completed and check oil change records.
- For the Ford F-150, test the transmission thoroughly, including highway driving, and check for any stored trouble codes.
- Review the owner's manual for maintenance schedules and ensure all scheduled services are up to date.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 345 |
| 2024 | 30 | 638 |
| 2023 | 52 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 88 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 234 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 381 | 44 |
| 2019 | 136 | 52 |
| 2018 | 218 | 79 |
| 2017 | 272 | 59 |
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA SOUL vs FORD F 150
- KIA SOUL total complaints
- 2,245
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- KIA SOUL total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- KIA SOUL avg complaints/year
- 224.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- KIA SOUL
- KIA SOUL top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN