2019 KIA SOUL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
179
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
39
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2019 KIA SOUL
The 2019 KIA SOUL has received a total of 179 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS. 39 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (77 complaints), Unknown Or Other (18 complaints), and Air Bags (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 2019 KIA SOUL
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2019 KIA SOUL, potentially affecting up to 2,053,095 vehicles.
Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS
| 410,619 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...
View full details →Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS
| 410,619 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...
View full details →Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS
| 410,619 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...
View full details →Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS
| 410,619 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...
View full details →Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS
| 410,619 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2019 KIA SOUL
179 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 KIA SOUL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 77 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 14 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
This vehicle was seriously damaged in a crash. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was totaled. Another vehicle went through red light and crashed into my car.
Unknown but told by multiple mechanics that the kia soul eats oil and the engine constantly runs dry which is pricey and unfair
Unknown but told by multiple mechanics that the kia soul eats oil and the engine constantly runs dry which is pricey and unfair
I’ve had nothing but problems with this car since about a year after getting it in 2021. Constant noises with the engine engine check light coming on all the time I would bring it in and no one would be able to figure out what was going on. And then it started to get worse and I had my catalytic converter replaced and not even a couple months later I had to have had another catalytic converter put in there’s issues with oil consumption and between oil changes, I would have to top off my oil multiple times sometimes even five and then I started getting oil changes before I even needed to get them because I was nervous and then on January 22, 2026 driving on the highway my engine started to smoke and I pulled over and took it to the nearest dealership by way of tow truck and they told me that the fuel issues had destroyed my second cylinder in my engine, and it was not repairable and then told me that I needed to replace my engine, but the engine in my car is no longer being made. I was told that my car was running lean due to the fuel injector issues.
I’ve had nothing but problems with this car since about a year after getting it in 2021. Constant noises with the engine engine check light coming on all the time I would bring it in and no one would be able to figure out what was going on. And then it started to get worse and I had my catalytic converter replaced and not even a couple months later I had to have had another catalytic converter put in there’s issues with oil consumption and between oil changes, I would have to top off my oil multiple times sometimes even five and then I started getting oil changes before I even needed to get them because I was nervous and then on January 22, 2026 driving on the highway my engine started to smoke and I pulled over and took it to the nearest dealership by way of tow truck and they told me that the fuel issues had destroyed my second cylinder in my engine, and it was not repairable and then told me that I needed to replace my engine, but the engine in my car is no longer being made. I was told that my car was running lean due to the fuel injector issues.
Safety Rating for the 2019 KIA SOUL
The 2019 KIA SOUL received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2019 KIA SOUL
Kia America, Inc. has issued 39 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2019 KIA SOUL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB_SC334_R1 — SERVICE BRAKES
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - 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 to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components,...
TSB_SC334_R1 — STRUCTURE:BODY
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - 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 to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components,...
PI2107_OWNR_401 — ENGINE
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage....
PI2107_OWNR_301 — ENGINE
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
CS2311_TSB_R3 — STEERING
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - 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 to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder...
CS2311_TSB — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 13, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control...
SC251_OWNR — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Nu 2.0L GDI SULEV engines manufactured from July 29, 2016 through December 19, 2018 to improve the emission...
SC251_TSB — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: NU 2.OL GDI SULEV ECU EMISSIONS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC251) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the emissions-related logic of the Electronic Control Module (ECM) with an improved version on certain 2017-2019MY Soul (PS) vehicles equipped with the Nu 2.0L GDI SULEV engine, produced from...
PI2107_TSB_R2 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: NU 2.0L GDI - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2107) - 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. Do NOT install PI2107 KSDS ECU Logic Improvement on...
PI2107_TSB_R2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: NU 2.0L GDI - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2107) - 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. Do NOT install PI2107 KSDS ECU Logic Improvement on...
Showing 10 of 39 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2019 KIA SOUL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA SOUL
- 2014 KIA SOUL — 1,198 complaints
- 2015 KIA SOUL — 1,189 complaints
- 2016 KIA SOUL — 1,094 complaints
- 2017 KIA SOUL — 337 complaints
- 2018 KIA SOUL — 265 complaints
- 2019 KIA SOUL (current)
- 2020 KIA SOUL — 447 complaints
- 2021 KIA SOUL — 241 complaints
- 2022 KIA SOUL — 108 complaints
- 2023 KIA SOUL — 76 complaints
- 2024 KIA SOUL — 31 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints