Home · 2017 Kia Soul · Complaints

What 268 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Soul

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (268)Crash / fire / injury (33)Engine (188)Electrical system (19)Fuel system (18)Transmission & drivetrain (18)Airbags (16)Brakes (14)Steering (10)Engine & cooling (9)Speed control (8)Suspension (4)

4 of 268 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters

May 7, 2026SteeringSuspensionEngine

The vehicle experiences major engine performance issues following a replacement engine installation (approximately 8,000 miles on the new engine). Additionally, the catalytic converter is malfunctioning, the steering exhibits significant pulsation during braking, and the suspension system is malfunctioning. These combined defects create an unsafe driving condition and pose a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists.

NHTSA ODI 11736438

Sep 21, 2022SuspensionBrakes

My struts we’re going through my dash board and I had it repaired and my engine light is just constantly on.

NHTSA ODI 11485618

Aug 23, 2022SteeringSuspension

When I bought my car in 2018, I didn’t like the way it drives. I had to take it back the next day to return it, but the dealer in North Aurora Gerald Kia said they wouldn’t take it back & I paid cash. I’ve been taking it back and forth from Gerald North Aurora to Bob Rohrman in Schaumburg Il. They have been been telling me every time, there’s nothing wrong. I’m hearing several noises in the Suspenion. So finally I told Bob Rohrman dealer to check everything before my warranty runs out. So far nothing didn’t happen until after my warranty. So I paid for 4 tires, front brakes, rotors. They finally said that I needed an Arm Control & a Strut, with low mileage, but Im steady hearing noises. I know know what to do. After I paid cash & had start going to find out what’s wrong with my car, the service dept was never friendly or professional. I always was told there’s nothing wrong with my car and that I know better. I’ve been driving since 17 yrs old and I’m 68.

NHTSA ODI 11480868

Feb 5, 2021SteeringSuspensionFuel system

FAILURE TO ACCELERATE,JURKING,STALLING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS TOLD THERE A RACK AND PINION TIE ROD SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND STEERING PIN. CAR DOES DECELERATION, OIL BURNS UP IN A WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11394762

Working with the data? Download all 268 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 7, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Kia Soul verdict →