2019 Kia Soul Safety Report

The 2019 Kia Soul presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, there are significant concerns regarding engine reliability and airbag deployment. NHTSA has recorded 123 total complaints for this model year, with a striking 51 complaints (over 41%) related to the ENGINE. These engine issues frequently describe severe oil consumption, piston ring failure, catalytic converter damage, and sudden engine failure, often leading to loss of power while driving. There have been 11 reported crashes and 12 injuries associated with these complaints, highlighting the potential safety risks of these mechanical failures. Furthermore, the vehicle is subject to one recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V806000) concerning the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover, which may contact a memory chip and prevent airbags from deploying as intended. Several complaints directly reference airbag non-deployment in crashes, including instances where vehicles were totaled, increasing the risk of injury. This recall affects a broad range of Kia vehicles from 2017-2019, including the Soul. The combination of widespread engine issues, which can lead to dangerous driving situations, and a recall for a critical safety system like airbags, suggests that while the structural integrity in a crash is high, the vehicle's operational safety and occupant protection systems have notable vulnerabilities. The high volume of engine-related complaints, many detailing catastrophic failures at relatively low mileages (e.g., 80k-117k miles), indicates a systemic problem that goes beyond typical wear and tear. The complaints frequently mention excessive oil consumption (e.g., a quart every 500-850 miles) and subsequent damage to components like catalytic converters or complete engine seizure due to lack of oil. This pattern of failure, coupled with the airbag recall and reports of non-deployment, points to significant safety concerns despite the strong crash test scores. Buyers should be aware of these documented issues.

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers of a 2019 Kia Soul should be highly cautious due to widespread and severe engine reliability issues, including excessive oil consumption and catastrophic failure, and documented instances of airbag non-deployment. Thoroughly investigate service history, consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, and be aware of the airbag recall.