Kia Soul real model years: 2015-2025. Compare NHTSA complaints, recalls, safety ratings, and unsupported searched years.
Google search data often includes later or discontinued model-year queries for this vehicle, such as 2026 Kia Soul. We do not publish indexable pages for those exact years unless official NHTSA data confirms the make, model, and year combination. Use the real years below for trustworthy recall and complaint reports.
The Kia Soul has been tracked across 11 model years in the NHTSA database, accumulating a total of 2915 consumer complaints and 17 safety recalls. Understanding the recall and complaint history of any vehicle is a critical step in the car-buying process, whether you are shopping for a used Kia Soul or already own one and want to stay informed about potential safety risks.
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 Kia Soul stands out as the model year with the most reported issues, logging 882 complaints and 4 recalls. In contrast, the 2025 model year is the cleanest on record with just 9 complaints. The average across all tracked years is approximately 265 complaints per model year.
When evaluating a used Kia Soul, pay close attention to the model years with higher complaint counts listed in the table below. A higher number of complaints does not always indicate a dangerous vehicle, but it does suggest more frequent owner-reported problems that could affect reliability, repair costs, or resale value. Always cross-reference complaint data with recall information and, when possible, have a qualified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
The table below lists every Kia Soul model year in the NHTSA database along with complaint counts, recall counts, and safety ratings where available. Click on any year to view the full AI-generated safety report for that specific model, including detailed component breakdowns, known issues, and owner-reported problems. You can also compare the Kia Soul against competing models using our comparison tool, or explore our buying guide to determine which years are the best to purchase.
The Kia Soul safety graph covers 11 real model years with 2915 owner complaints, 17 recalls, 137 crash reports, 155 fire reports, and 11 service bulletin signals. Use this as the one-stop model view before drilling into a specific year.
| Path | Vehicle Year | Complaint Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect carefully | 2015 Kia Soul | 882 complaints, 4 recalls |
| Inspect carefully | 2016 Kia Soul | 779 complaints, 2 recalls |
| Inspect carefully | 2020 Kia Soul | 337 complaints, 1 recalls |
| Compare as cleaner year | 2025 Kia Soul | 9 complaints, 0 recalls |
| Compare as cleaner year | 2024 Kia Soul | 23 complaints, 0 recalls |
| Compare as cleaner year | 2023 Kia Soul | 45 complaints, 4 recalls |
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 | 23 | 0 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 | 45 | 4 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 | 72 | 1 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 | 187 | 2 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 | 337 | 1 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 | 123 | 1 | ★★★★★ |
| 2018 | 199 | 1 | ★★★★★ |
| 2017 | 259 | 1 | ★★★★★ |
| 2016 | 779 | 2 | ★★★★★ |
| 2015 | 882 | 4 | ★★★★★ |
Yes, the Kia Soul has 17 recalls across 11 model years tracked in the NHTSA database. Select a specific model year below to see the full recall details.
The Kia Soul has accumulated 2915 consumer complaints across 11 model years. The complaint count varies significantly by year — click any year in the table to see its specific issues.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2025 Kia Soul has the fewest reported issues with 9 complaints. The 2015 model year has the most with 882 complaints.
Safety varies by model year. Review the NHTSA safety ratings, recall history, and complaint data for each Kia Soul model year in the table below. Vehicles with 4-5 star NHTSA ratings and low complaint counts generally indicate better safety records.
This page shows all 11 model years of the Kia Soul with recall counts and safety ratings. Click any year for the complete recall list including campaign numbers, affected components, and manufacturer remedies. You can also check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.