2019 Kia Soul
Common Problems
Ranked from 57 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
16 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Severe Oil Consumption
15complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes oil at an excessive rate, often requiring frequent refills.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Engine Stall or Loss of Power
13complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls or loses power while driving, creating a significant safety hazard.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Misfire and Cylinder Failure
11complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences misfires and cylinder failures, leading to stalling and reduced performance.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Failure Due to Connecting Rod Bearings
6complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine has suffered catastrophic failure due to connecting rod bearings disintegrating, leading to engine damage and loss of power.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Catalytic Converter Failure
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe catalytic converter fails due to oil contamination, leading to frequent replacements and potential fire hazards.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Electrical System Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system malfunctions, causing various warning lights to illuminate unexpectedly.
- 7
Engine Overheating and Rattling
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats and produces a rattling noise, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Fuel Injector Malfunction Leading to Engine Flooding
3complaintsHigh severityFuel systemMultiple fuel injectors malfunction, causing the engine to flood with gas and potentially leading to engine failure.
$300–$1,200est. fuel injector replacement · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Airbag Deployment Failure During Collision
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalAirbags fail to deploy during collisions, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.
- 10
Brake Pedal Going to Floorboard Intermittently
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake pedal intermittently goes to the floorboard, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Check Engine Light Illumination and Unusual Odor
2complaintsLow severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates along with an unusual odor, often indicating an oil consumption issue.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Dies Suddenly While Driving
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine suddenly dies while driving, often accompanied by a loss of power and a check engine light.
- 13
Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe low oil pressure warning light illuminates, indicating potential engine damage.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Severe Electrical Discharge and Power Surges
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalSevere electrical discharges and power surges cause damage to various components, including seat belts and the dashboard.
- 15
Unexplained Rear Windshield Shattering
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe rear windshield shatters spontaneously without any apparent cause, posing a safety hazard.
- 16
Unusual Engine Sounds During Operation
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces unusual sounds, such as banging and grinding, during operation.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.