2023 Kia Soul: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2023 Kia Soul? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 45 complaints, with Uncategorized Issues as the top reported area.
2023 Kia Soul Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2023 Kia Soul trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2023 Kia Soul Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2023 Kia Soul has 45 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Uncategorized Issues. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Soul
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 45
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Uncategorized Issues
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 31
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 29 / 35
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2023 Kia Soul Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Uncategorized Issues
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Uncategorized Issues, Electrical Faults, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2023 Kia Soul?
The 2023 Kia Soul shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2023 Kia Soul
Inspection Focus
- Inspect for uncategorized issues reported by owners.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and engine components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering and brake systems before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect for uncategorized issues reported by owners.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and engine components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering and brake systems before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 Kia Soul, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2023 Kia Soul are concentrated in uncategorized issues, electrical faults, and engine problems. There are 4 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints, but the low confidence level suggests caution in interpretation.
- Uncategorized Issues account for the highest number of complaints (12).
- Electrical Faults and Engine Problems each have 11 complaints.
- There are 4 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints for the 2023 model year.
- Uncategorized Issues (12 complaints)
- Electrical Faults (11 complaints)
- Engine Problems (11 complaints)
All 2023 Kia Soul Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Kia Soul. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncategorized Issues | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Kia Soul. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The instrument panel went blank while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repai…
See attached document for complaint.
3/6/26 5:50 am unintended acceleration w such force pulling car toward right side n unable to stop, jumped over side walk, then stopped, it happened very fast, very scary accident, I was in shock and shaking so bad. Wknd disrupted, couldn't sleep n reliving bad experience over n …
The airbag in this 2023 Kia Soul vehicle had a faulty airbag deployment. The steering wheel airbag exploded upon a minor impact of under 20 mph and no other airbags deployed. The steering wheel airbag never fully deployed or made driver contact, it just simply exploded. The deal…
Honking function no longer works, this is a consistent problem noticed first on the beginning of December 2025, when I needed to notify another driver of a potential safety hazard. There is no honking sound available at any speed or at any time. Have an appointment with dealershi…
When driving my vehicle under normal conditions, the car will unexpectedly slow down on its own, and the system brake lights and hazard lights will activate as if I am about to be in a collision, even though no accident is occurring. I have noticed this issue most frequently when…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery discharge and Auto START/STOP warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V531000 (Power Train), for which the dealer replaced the electric oil pump controller as the …
Since I purchased the car the steering wheel will jerk, when im on a 2 lane road. It always jerks towards on-coming traffic, and it only does this when there is a car coming in the opposite lane and is just about to pass me. I have to fight with the steering wheel to get it back …
I am reporting a recurring safety issue with my Kia vehicle that began around Labor Day 2025. The vehicle has abruptly shut down multiple times while I was driving on public roads in Hillsborough County, Florida. These shutdowns occurred without any dashboard warning lights, incl…
First I get a safety issue warning with the front camera then I get a safety issue warning with a back camera well those warnings go off and I'm left with an ABS signal on my dashboard orange triangle with a exclamation point in it skid something with the car it shows it's weavin…
Was driving and the pistons shot out of the engine. Oil in the coolant as well.
Radio recall 2025 Uvo work stop
2023 kia soul lx problems clarity dive problems
FM radio Black screen Black screen replacement kia soul
The rear windshield spontaneously shattered while parked in the driveway and was not running. I was standing beside it when it happened. There was no glass inside vehicle all the glass was outside vehicle indicating that nothing hit the windshield, and nothing was around vehicle …
Periodically while driving, I receive error notifications on the dashboard through both sound alerts and warning lights, resulting in the affected systems temporarily ceasing to function. The dashboard provides specific warnings: "check forward safety system," "check lane safety…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while pulling into a mall, there was an abnormally low rumbling and ticking sound coming from the vehicle. While driving 45 MPH, the message to turn off and restart the vehicle was displayed with an audible alarm. The cont…
I was backing up into my parking place in an alley way. I was turning slightly to the right to fit in and the car started to accelerate. I hit the back wall with the rear of my car. I put the car into drive not realizing it was still accelerating. I had my right foot on the brake…
I had my vehicle in PARK in my driveway. I was standing outside the vehicle & after I pulled the keys out of the ignition, the vehicle started rolling backward. My feet were on the ground the whole time, the vehicle was in park. I pulled the emergency brake as it was rolling with…
Brand new car 5800 miles engine failure after first oil change at dealership
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Kia Soul.
2023 Kia Soul Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Kia Soul. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2023 Kia Soul Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Kia Soul reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 45 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2023 Kia Soul shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Soul?▾
#1: Uncategorized Issues (12 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (11 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (11 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Kia Soul?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Kia Soul?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Kia Soul, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 45 total complaints. 14 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Kia Soul have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2023 Kia Soul. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2023 Kia Soul?▾
The 2023 Kia Soul shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Uncategorized Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Soul reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2023 Kia Soul based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.