Skip to content
Kia Soul EVModel year report

2017 Kia Soul EV Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
7,953miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Kia Soul EV (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul EV. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (67% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,953 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 58 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the traction battery and 39 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “When I apply brake the vehicle doesn’t stop it jumps out (as if someone has crashed hitting the rear of the vehicle) and the vehicle shuts down. Then I have to park the vehicle in the middle of the road and restart the vehicle. Luckily I avoided many accidents by defensively driving. Talked with Kia customer care and complained about this safety issue . I took it to near by Kia dealer for the recall and complained on 25 July 2024. 2017 Kia soul + EV Only 30 thousand miles I’m scared to drive and conserned about the safety of others around me. Please help me”

NHTSA complaint #11606165, filed 2024-08

Brakes: “My all electric has a b mode to shift in. Simply put it engages the generator fully when you let off the gas pedal so you can generate electricity. However, when you do this the car brakes quite quick, so quick in fact they call this type of driving one pedal driving due to the fact you very seldom touch the break except for a full stop. The problem is the break lights don't go on unless you put your foot on the break. My concern is the car behind me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11022704, filed 2017-09, 12 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal battery voltage warning displayed. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the battery failed to charge. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message to “Pull Over Immediately” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an update, BMS, and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …”

NHTSA complaint #11588840, filed 2024-05, 50,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Power failure going high speed decreasing from 45mph. Had disengaged cruise control and attempted to change lanes and prepare to turn at intersection after exiting off highway. Also happened a week prior in town in neighborhood. No cruise control was involved and going low speed under 35mph. Had to shut power off completely to re-start EV. Previously had dealer run diagnostics following first incident. Recall gradual power loss incidents past four months but was uncertain what was cause.”

NHTSA complaint #11478888, filed 2022-08

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 300 and 15,606 miles.

50%0–1025%10–250%25–5025%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 7,953 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2017201920222023720242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2017 Kia Soul EV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 58 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 58 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia Soul EV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2017187,9533———Rising
2016715,1814———Not enough data
2015657,2834———Not enough data

All Kia Soul EV model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Kia Soul EV have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul EV as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Kia Soul EV is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (67% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 2017 Kia Soul EV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Kia Soul EV reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,953 miles and the middle half falls between 300 and 15,606 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.