Model year record
2025 Kia Soul recalls & problems
The 2025 Kia Soul has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 12 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (4 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2025 Kia Soul.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2025 Kia Soul SUV FWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Soul Eco dynamics
| City / highway | 29 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel
Soul
| City / highway | 27 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 4 | — |
| Unknown or other | 3 | — |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Lane departureAssist; Blind spot detection | 2 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Suspension | 1 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| Back over preventionRearview system braking | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Unknown or other
I purchased a used 2025 Kia Soul with approximately 12,930 miles on the odometer in July 2026. Prior to Friday, August 1, 2026, I had not experienced any warning lights, warning messages, drivability issues, or other symptoms. The vehicle appeared to operate normally. On August 1, 2026, as I pulled out of the parking lot, the car surged or lurched forward while pushing on the gas. I pulled over, and the engine RPM still would increase on its own while the vehicle was in park, and and while stopped with the brake pedal applied. On one occasion in traffic a week before, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. At the time I thought I did something wrong and didn't initially think it was a defect.…
- Unknown or other
Car window was broken into while the car was locked and the alarm was on. the alarm did not go off!
- Lane departure › Blind spot detection
When pulling out of a parking spot all of collision responses started to flash. This included front collision, side collision and rear collision. The power steering no longer worked. I bought the car new in 11/05/2025. I only have 1,311 miles on the car. I did have an oil change done by the dealer about a week prior and the report showed no problems. I am now very concerned about driving it even after the car would be repaired. I will say that KIA America arranged for the tow back to the dealership and I was given a loaner car to use. I honestly feel this is a safety hazard. Regards, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Air bagsCrash
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.
- Exterior lighting
Low beam headlights so dim is impossible to drive at night.
- Visibility/wiper
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 ther is nothing more he can do to improve the light problem. What am I supposd to do to have this 2025 new KIA soul problem corrected that I so I can drive at night
- Service brakes
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 front alignment inspected, and I was informed that it was within normal specifications, yet the tire issue persisted. Now at **10,000 miles**, I am still experiencing abnormal tire wear. Additionally, at **10,000 miles**, the vehicle began making **grinding noises when applying the brakes**, which is…
- Exterior lighting
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 where it could not see road markings
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.