2025 Kia Soul Safety Report
2025 KIA SOUL Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2025 Kia Soul
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2025 Kia Soul. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (9) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Kia Soul with 23 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Kia Soul before buying across this generation. |
Kia Soul Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Soul years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Soul | 23 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Kia Soul | 45 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Kia Soul | 72 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Soul | 187 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Soul | 337 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia Soul | 123 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2025 Kia Soul Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2025 Kia Soul, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Exterior Lighting
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyAir Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Kia onlyVisibility/Wiper
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Kia onlySuspension,Wheels,Service Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension,Wheels,Service Brakes issues Kia onlyExterior Lighting,Lane Departure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting,Lane Departure issues Kia onlyVehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2025 Kia Soul
Reliability Score
The 2025 Kia Soul receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2025 Kia Soul
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2025 Kia Soul
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2025 Kia Soul:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag And Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure During a deer collision, the airbag and forward collision avoidance system did not deploy, leading to a dangerous situation. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Dim Low Beam Headlights Low beam headlights are so dim that it is impossible to drive safely at night, posing a severe hazard. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension And Service Brake Issues Suspension and service brake issues have led to near accidents in unfamiliar areas, indicating potential loss of control. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Forced Acceleration Without Driver Input The vehicle has experienced forced acceleration incidents without driver input, which can be dangerous and difficult to control. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2025 Kia Soul:
Issues with airbags and forward collision avoidance systems have been reported.
Dim low beam headlights have been a common issue, affecting visibility at night.
Suspension and service brake issues have been reported, leading to near accidents.
Forced acceleration incidents without driver input have been reported, posing a safety risk.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2025 Kia Soul
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2025 Kia Soul with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Hit a deer. Airbag did not deploy or emergency braking system didn't come on. Police took pictures of car. The car is at the repair shop now. Insurance company hasn't stated if it will be totaled. There were no other problems prior to incident.
Low beam headlights so dim is impossible to drive at night.
Headlight housing kept falling out of the bracket Driving at night impossable. Fixed one light still dim lights maKES DRIVING AT night dangerous. Second dealer instructed me to not sue the suto light setting because it dims the headlights. It appears that the front bumper design blocks the light to the roadway. In my view the 4 seperte visits to the Family dealership in Saint Augestein Fl suggest ...
I am submitting this complaint to report serious concerns regarding the quality, safety, and reliability of my new Kia Soul, as well as the financial burden caused by defects that should not occur on a vehicle with such low mileage. At approximately **8,500 miles**, one of the original tires failed prematurely. I was forced to purchase a used tire to keep the vehicle safely drivable. I had the fr...
2 incidents driving in a not familiar area...Almost drove off the road in very dark conditions at a light because I couldn't see that my road had ended .I was almost side swiped trying to get back on the road the last second.Iwas not taking any meds abd Don't drink Also drive at night on well lit highways.Also the lights are so dim that my road assist features did not activate on dark rainy roads...
While driving, the vehicle began accelerating (forced acceleration) without driver input. When driver attempted to stop or slow the vehicle down, the brakes were unresponsive due to the brake override system failure. Because the vehicle could not be stopped or slowed down, and to avoid hitting or harming others, driver veered off the road which caused the vehicle to flip multiple times and finally...
Headlights when on dim are inadequate. You can not see the road. You can not drive with your lights on bright in traffic. Severe hazard to all. Near miss on animals and road damage. Very frightening.
Humidity gets insiste headlights. This issue affects headlights performance making hard to see at night. Safety is at risk.
2025 Kia Soul LX Headlights. Totally inadequate standard headlights. Higher end models get LED headlights but this standard light system on the LX is dangerous on anything but well lit streets. Safety should not be an option. I would have upgraded to a model that has adequate headlights but was unaware of how bad the standard headlights were until after purchase. These standard headlights should n...
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2025 Kia Soul
TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY041) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extens...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: MDPS CONNECTOR LOCKING INSERT INSPECTION (SA623) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the steering MDPS connector on certain 2025MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced on June 16, 2025, which may not have a fully engaged secondary lock on their MDPS co...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY041) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in certain 2020-2025 MY Soul vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The affected vehicles may encounter the following issues: remot...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY041) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY041) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn assembly on certain 2020-2025MY Soul (SK3) vehicles pro...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY041) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY041) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY041.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY041) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in certain 2020-2025 MY Soul vehi...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY041) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in certain 2020-2025 MY Soul vehicles, manufactur...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 Kia Soul
Has the 2025 KIA SOUL been recalled?
No, the 2025 KIA SOUL has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2025 KIA SOUL have?
The 2025 KIA SOUL has 9 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2025 KIA SOUL?
The 2025 KIA SOUL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 KIA SOUL?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2025 KIA SOUL involve exterior lighting (3 complaints), air bags,forward collision avoidance (1 complaints), visibility/wiper (1 complaints). Other affected components include suspension,wheels,service brakes, exterior lighting,lane departure, vehicle speed control,service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2025 KIA SOUL have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2025 KIA SOUL out of 9 total complaints (22.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2025 KIA SOUL have?
There are no fire reports for the 2025 KIA SOUL in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2025 KIA SOUL?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 KIA SOUL.
How many injuries are reported for the 2025 KIA SOUL?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 KIA SOUL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2025 KIA SOUL?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2025 KIA SOUL is generally recommended. It has 9 complaints, 0 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2025 KIA SOUL?
The components with the most failures on the 2025 KIA SOUL are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints), 4. SUSPENSION,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2025 KIA SOUL?
Be cautious with the 2025 KIA SOUL due to reported issues with airbags, headlights, suspension, and forced acceleration. Consider additional safety features or a different model. The 2025 KIA SOUL has 9 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2025 KIA SOUL?
The 2025 KIA SOUL receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 9 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag and Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure and Dim Low Beam Headlights.
What are the known issues with the 2025 KIA SOUL?
Known issues with the 2025 KIA SOUL include: Airbag and Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure, Dim Low Beam Headlights, Suspension and Service Brake Issues, Forced Acceleration Without Driver Input. These are based on patterns found across 9 NHTSA complaints.
Are there any known issues with the airbags in the 2025 KIA SOUL?
Yes, airbags and forward collision avoidance systems did not deploy during a deer collision.
What about the headlights? Are they a problem?
Dim low beam headlights make it impossible to drive safely at night.
Have there been any reports of the vehicle accelerating on its own?
Yes, forced acceleration incidents without driver input have been reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious with the 2025 KIA SOUL due to reported issues with airbags, headlights, suspension, and forced acceleration. Consider additional safety features or a different model.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2025 Kia Soul
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2025 Kia Soul. The data includes 9 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2025 Kia Soul an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16