Home · 2019 Kia Soul EV · Complaints

What 136 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Soul EV

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 (136)Crash / fire / injury (21)Engine (86)Fuel system (15)Airbags (14)Electrical system (14)Brakes (9)Transmission & drivetrain (7)Seat belts (6)Engine & cooling (5)Lights (5)Steering (5)

3 of 136 complaints match · Electrical system · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jun 12, 2026Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

Engine and engine components caught fire while driving. This put my husbands life at risk and could have caused harm to other drivers if he was driving on a busier road. Car fire could have completely engulfed the car and caused harm or even death. Fire department was called to assist with extinguishing the fire and to ensure that further danger did not persist.

NHTSA ODI 11743824

Jul 16, 2024Electrical systemEngineCrash

On [XXX], I was driving home from Tampa bay International Airport and noticed that I get less acceleration and my car shut off while driving and caused me to crash into a guardrail. Before accident, told Kia about my car shutting off and right when warrant ran out, parts would fail. Had to buy a sensor, alternator (70,000 miles). Also catalytic converter (81,000). Six months later after I bought alternator, alternator and battery (1 year old) died at the same time. I am lucky that this accident did not heart me or others. It could of happened in front of a truck. There were no warning lights on dash board. Seatbelt light was on even though I was wearing seatbelt. Brought car to Kia dealership and did least amount of checking. Had two independent mechanics look at it with one saying to be careful of Kias because they are the most in his shop. My insurance look at the vehicle. Vehicle is in Geico site in Sarasota, told me anyone can go and look at the car. Will attach Geico claim; if past maintenance records are needed let me know. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11602694

Jan 30, 2024Electrical systemAirbagsEngineFire

Engine failure fluid leek and wire burning smells engine burst into flames from the under carriage of the engine. The contact wants to see if there are any recalls and if so should the car be sold at msrp price.

NHTSA ODI 11568682

Working with the data? Download all 136 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 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 2019 Kia Soul EV verdict →