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EnginePart report

2017 Kia Soul Engine Problems

Complaints
191about this part
Share
70%of 272 total for the year
Median mileage
82,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 191 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Kia Soul, 70% of the 272 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 12 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Got in my car september 2020 and heard knocking under hood. Drive it to the penzoil less than 15 minutes away and I knock got faster and louder. Penzoil told me park it and tow to nearest Kia. Extremely disheartening I'm 23 y/o single mother. Now with a broken car. 16000 in debt for a year and half worth of driving less than 80000 on odometer jeeeshhh Kia . Hopefully we get recall soon”

NHTSA complaint #11415299, filed 2021-05, 79,477 miles

“I was driving down the highway about 65 when I heard a loud knocking noise coming from the motor. No check engine light no over heating nothing. Loud knock car goes dead.I've only had this car for 1yr. Got it at 52.000 miles is now at 84.000. Still under Kia 100.000 mile warranty. But they won't cover it . And there main thing is I put 30.000. Miles on it. I have kids. I travel. Kept up on oil changes everything”

NHTSA complaint #11338523, filed 2020-07, 84,000 miles

“My car feels like it steers sideways down the road,it bounces,hard to control,it loses power in 3rd gear,the brakes don't work well at all,engine pings loudly constantly.I took my car to carfax in modesto california whom I purchased from and they couldn't find anything wrong,th s ir lieing,living, car was wrecked and painted over ,its full of over spray,the car is dangerous to drive,I want it replaced with a new kiasoul”

NHTSA complaint #11362960, filed 2020-10, 19,990 miles

“Something is knocking or ticking in the motor feels like under my feet of drivers floor board. Have kept regular oil changes nd it started off by spitting and sputtering when I would come to a stop to now ticking. Went to start it the next morning to go too work and it sounded awful so I didnt drive it. Now when I start it the battery light is on and check engine light is on and it will start for about 3 sec an shuts off.”

NHTSA complaint #11343375, filed 2020-08, 105,654 miles

“Mileage 75,000 and the engine threw a rod through the bottom of the engine block and through the oil pan. I purchased the car with about 22,000 miles. I've driven the car less than 2 years and have put about 50,000 miles on it. I have maintained the vehicle according to manufacturer specifications with regular oil changes every 5000 miles. I have never had the check engine or oil lights come on since I've owned the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11320360, filed 2020-04, 75,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
2024517%
20231426%
20225457%
202113958%
202024563%
20198864%
201814265%
201719170%
201656169%
201563170%
201455461%
201328643%
201221041%
20112412%
201097%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Soul

Other or unknown
32 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology