Head-to-head reliability
KIA Telluride vs KIA SOUL
How the KIA Telluride 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 Telluride vs KIA SOUL: The Telluride averages 285.4 complaints per year with 33 recalls, while the Soul averages 224.5 complaints per year with 13 recalls. The Soul has 1,420 engine complaints and 13 deaths, versus 324 engine complaints and 1 death for the Telluride. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Telluride or KIA SOUL more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a three-row family SUV with an average of 285.4 complaints per year over seven years, totaling 1,998 complaints and 33 recalls. Owners frequently report sunroof glass shattering, windshield wiper fluid leaks, and sudden electrical failures that can disable power steering and other safety systems. While the Telluride has fewer crash-related complaints (39) and injuries (41) than the Soul, the high rate of glass and electrical issues means buyers should expect potential repairs in these areas.
KIA SOUL
The Kia Soul is a compact hatchback with an average of 224.5 complaints per year over ten years, totaling 2,245 complaints and 13 recalls. The dominant issue is engine problems, with 1,420 complaints, including stalling, oil consumption, and internal failures that sometimes lead to fires. The Soul also has far more crash-related complaints (103) and deaths (13) than the Telluride, making engine-related safety a top concern.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Telluride | KIA SOUL |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,998 Better | 2,245 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 | 13 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 39 Better | 103 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 285.4 | 224.5 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 41 Better | 103 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Telluride
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER470
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER347
- 03ENGINE324
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM287
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING207
Owners report panoramic sunroof glass shattering explosively without impact, sending glass into the cabin. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen at speed and distract or injure occupants.
Windshield wiper fluid leaks onto the rear window when spraying the front, and windshields can crack or shatter from minor debris. These issues impair visibility and may require costly glass replacement.
Sudden electrical and engine control failures cause multiple warning lights (power steering, ABS, stability control) and can leave the vehicle undrivable. Owners report these failures occurring while driving, posing a risk of loss of control.
Electronic safety systems malfunction under certain thermal conditions, leading to repeated failures. This can disable critical aids like stability control and anti-lock brakes, increasing crash risk.
“Was driving with my husband and granddaughter in the car and had just left the house. Horrible, loud explosive sound like a gunshot and glass sound and glanced to make sure all glass ok and our granddaughter was safe. Could see the glass flying behind us and…”
“Component: Factory forward panoramic sunroof glass, 2025 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX]. On XXX at 8:18 a.m. ET, [XXX], 59 mph, the glass shattered with a loud bang. No object was seen hitting the roof. Sunshade open. Vehicle/photos available. Original glass may no…”
KIA SOUL
- 01ENGINE1,420
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER321
- 03POWER TRAIN255
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING208
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM185
Owners report excessive oil consumption, stalling, and complete engine shutdown while driving, often linked to piston ring defects. Some complaints mention smoke and fire risk, and many reference recall 25V099 for 2.0L Nu MPI engines.
Complaints describe the vehicle turning off while driving with no diagnostic codes, leaving dealers unable to repair. This unpredictable stalling is a major safety hazard, especially in traffic.
Drivers experience rough idle, loss of power, unresponsive throttle, and smoke from the exhaust. These symptoms can progress to stalling and may indicate internal engine damage requiring expensive repairs.
Abnormally loud engine noises and stalling while idling are reported, often with check engine lights and trouble codes like P1C28. These are warning signs of the same engine defect that can lead to failure.
“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 Telluride — 33 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
The risk: Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
The risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number f…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for thi…
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 Telluride or KIA SOUL: which should you buy?
The Kia Telluride has a higher average annual complaint rate (285.4 vs. 224.5), but the Kia Soul's complaints are heavily concentrated in engine failures that can cause stalling and fires. In practice, the Telluride's issues are more varied (glass, wipers, electrical), while the Soul's engine problems are more likely to leave you stranded or create a fire risk.
Key differences
- The Soul has 1,420 engine complaints versus 324 for the Telluride, with many Soul owners reporting stalling and oil consumption that can lead to engine failure.
- The Telluride's top issue is sunroof glass shattering (470 unknown/other complaints), while the Soul's top issue is engine defects.
- The Soul has 103 crash-related complaints and 13 deaths, compared to 39 crash-related complaints and 1 death for the Telluride.
- The Telluride has 33 recalls, including structure and air bag issues, while the Soul has 13 recalls, mostly engine-related.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for any cracks, chips, or signs of previous shattering, and ask if it has been replaced.
- Test the windshield wiper system thoroughly, including the rear spray, to check for fluid leaks or weak operation.
- Check for any signs of engine oil consumption, such as low oil levels, blue exhaust smoke, or a rough idle, and confirm that recall 25V099 has been performed.
- Look for a history of stalling or electrical issues by scanning for stored trouble codes and asking for all service records.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially engine recalls on the Soul.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the Telluride's sunroof and electrical system, and the Soul's engine and transmission.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to check for stalling, warning lights, or unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly oil change intervals for the Soul, as frequent changes may mitigate engine issues.
- Verify that the Telluride's wiper system and Soul's engine software have been updated per any technical service bulletins.
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 Telluride | KIA SOUL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 116 | 12 |
| 2024 | 219 | 30 |
| 2023 | 207 | 52 |
| 2022 | 324 | 88 |
| 2021 | 365 | 234 |
| 2020 | 767 | 381 |
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 Telluride or KIA SOUL in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Telluride vs KIA SOUL
- KIA Telluride total complaints
- 1,998
- KIA SOUL total complaints
- 2,245
- KIA Telluride total recalls
- 33
- KIA SOUL total recalls
- 13
- KIA Telluride avg complaints/year
- 285.4
- KIA SOUL avg complaints/year
- 224.5
- More reliable overall
- KIA SOUL
- KIA Telluride top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- KIA SOUL top complaint area
- ENGINE