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Kia · Known Issues

2023 Kia Soul Problems: 4 Known Issues

2023 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2023 Kia Soul has 4 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Recall 25V099000 (Kia SC336): Improperly Manufactured Piston Oil Rings Can Destroy the Engine, Side Curtain Air Bags Can Deploy Unexpectedly (Recall 23V830000), Recall 23V531000: Electric Oil Pump Controller May Overheat and Cause a Fire (2023 Soul) and Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Soul Engine2
  • Soul Safety/Recalls1
  • Soul Electrical1
  • Recalls5
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Engine2
  • Safety/Recalls1
  • Electrical1
  • Recalls5
  • FAQ

All 4 Known Issues

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ALL YEARS20232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

On the 2021-2023 Kia Soul, kia America is recalling certain 2021-2023 Kia Soul vehicles under NHTSA campaign 25V099000 (Kia's internal number SC336). On the affected Souls, the piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly. That manufacturing defect can lead to engine damage. NHTSA's stated consequence is blunt: engine damage can cause the vehicle to stall or catch fire, which raises the risk of a crash or injury. A stall in a small hatchback like the Soul is dangerous anywhere it happens in traffic, and the fire risk is what pushes this beyond an ordinary durability complaint. The campaign covers 137,256 vehicles in total across every model included in the recall — that figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of Souls. Owner notification letters for this campaign were mailed April 4, 2025, so a Soul that changed hands since then may have an owner who never saw the letter.

This issue also affects: Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Palisade

Common Symptoms

  • Engine stalling
  • Engine damage
  • Vehicle fire

How to Fix

The repair is free at any Kia dealer. The dealer will inspect the engine and replace it as necessary, and will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, which is designed to detect the noise associated with the ring problem. Contact a Kia dealer to schedule the recall service, or call Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 and reference recall SC336. To confirm whether your specific Soul is included, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — that is the only reliable way to check, since inclusion is by VIN and not by model year alone.

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Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 2020-2023 Kia Soul 2.0L Nu MPI, nHTSA recall 21V259000 (Kia SC209) covers certain 2020-2021 Soul vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines whose piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated. Kia communication 11017169/SST082 indexes a later PNSS vibration-inspection process to certain 2020-2023 Soul vehicles and describes ring-related cylinder-wall damage, increased oil consumption, abnormal noise, oil-pressure warning and P1327. That later bulletin does not make every 2022-2023 vehicle part of recall 21V259.

This issue also affects: Hyundai Excel, Hyundai Scoupe, Hyundai Sonata

Common Symptoms

  • Increasing oil consumption
  • Abnormal engine noise or P1327
  • Oil-pressure warning light

How to Fix

Check the VIN for SC209 or the current Kia PNSS program and monitor the oil level using the owner-manual procedure. A Kia dealer uses the VIN-driven KDS inspection; eligible recall vehicles receive inspection, PNSS software and engine replacement when necessary. Do not promise a one-quart-per-1,000-mile threshold, apply recall coverage to every 2022-2023 Soul, infer P0420/P0171/P0174 or buy oil and filters as a remedy for damaged rings.

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Manually Verified
High ConfidenceVerifiedLast reported by owners Feb 2025Reviewed Aug 2026

On the 2023 Kia Soul, kia recalled certain 2023 Soul vehicles because a manufacturing error in the side curtain air bag modules can cause them to deploy unexpectedly — that is, without a crash. In a Soul, the curtain bags run along the headliner above the side windows, so an unexpected deployment happens right beside the driver's and passengers' heads. NHTSA lists the consequence plainly: an air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash, since a sudden deployment while driving can both strike occupants and startle the driver. The campaign (Kia internal number SC289) covers 2,967 vehicles in total across every model included in the recall; that figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of Souls. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024.

Common Symptoms

  • Side curtain air bag deploys with no crash having occurred

How to Fix

The repair is free at any Kia dealer. The dealer inspects both side curtain air bag modules and replaces them as necessary. If you own a 2023 Soul and are unsure whether yours is included, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and reference recall SC289. Even if you never received the January 2024 notification letter — common with used cars or after a move — the free remedy still applies.

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 2023 Kia Soul, if you own a 2023 Kia Soul, it may be included in Kia America's recall of vehicles whose Idle Stop & Go electric oil pump assembly has an electronic controller built with damaged electrical components. Kia's concern is that those damaged components let the pump overheat, and NHTSA states the consequence plainly: an electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. This is a manufacturing defect in the controller itself rather than something an owner causes through use or neglect, and NHTSA classifies it under the automatic transmission fluid/lubricant pump. The recall spans 39,765 vehicles campaign-wide, a total that includes the 2023 Soul, 2023 Sportage and 2023-2024 Seltos together. Because the risk is fire, Kia's interim advice for Soul owners was to park outside and away from structures rather than in a garage or carport until the vehicle has been repaired.

Common Symptoms

  • Electric oil pump assembly overheating
  • Increased risk of vehicle fire

How to Fix

Repair is free of charge at a Kia dealer under Kia campaign number SC275. The dealer inspects the electric oil pump controller and replaces it if the inspection shows it is necessary. Owner notification letters were scheduled to go out September 28, 2023; if you bought the Soul used or never received one, contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 or your dealer directly. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has already been performed on your car. Until it has been, follow Kia's guidance and park the vehicle outdoors, away from buildings.

Find a Kia dealer

Choose to share your location for this search, or enter an area below. Your search location is sent to Google to find dealers.

Open Kia dealer map in Google Maps ↗

Call to confirm they service Kia vehicles and check your VIN, recall eligibility, parts availability, and appointment options.

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
NHTSA Recalls5 recalls

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Campaign #23V29800026/04/2023

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.

Campaign #23V53100031/07/2023

AIR BAGS

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.

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Other Kia Models

Kia Forte31Kia Telluride28Kia Carnival26Kia Sportage25Kia K523Kia EV621

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Kia Soul problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2023 Kia Soul has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Recall 25V099000 (Kia SC336): Improperly Manufactured Piston Oil Rings Can Destroy the Engine, Side Curtain Air Bags Can Deploy Unexpectedly (Recall 23V830000), Recall 23V531000: Electric Oil Pump Controller May Overheat and Cause a Fire (2023 Soul). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Kia Soul reliable?

The 2023 Kia Soul has 4 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Recall 25V099000 (Kia SC336): Improperly Manufactured Piston Oil Rings Can Destroy the Engine and Side Curtain Air Bags Can Deploy Unexpectedly (Recall 23V830000) and Recall 23V531000: Electric Oil Pump Controller May Overheat and Cause a Fire (2023 Soul) and Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

What is the 2021-2023 Kia Soul Recall 25V099000 (Kia SC336): Improperly Manufactured Piston Oil Rings Can Destroy the Engine?

Kia America is recalling certain 2021-2023 Kia Soul vehicles under NHTSA campaign 25V099000 (Kia's internal number SC336). On the affected Souls, the piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly. That manufacturing defect can lead to engine damage. NHTSA's stated conse… Severity: high.

What is the 2023 Kia Soul Side Curtain Air Bags Can Deploy Unexpectedly (Recall 23V830000)?

Kia recalled certain 2023 Soul vehicles because a manufacturing error in the side curtain air bag modules can cause them to deploy unexpectedly — that is, without a crash. In a Soul, the curtain bags run along the headliner above the side windows, so an unexpected deployment happ… Severity: high.

What is the 2023 Kia Soul Recall 23V531000: Electric Oil Pump Controller May Overheat and Cause a Fire (2023 Soul)?

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

Campaign #23V830000
22/12/2023

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

Campaign #25V09900017/02/2025

ENGINE

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

Campaign #21V25900013/04/2021

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

If you own a 2023 Kia Soul, it may be included in Kia America's recall of vehicles whose Idle Stop & Go electric oil pump assembly has an electronic controller built with damaged electrical components. Kia's concern is that those damaged components let the pump overheat, and NHTS… Severity: high.

What is the 2020-2023 Kia Soul Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption?

NHTSA recall 21V259000 (Kia SC209) covers certain 2020-2021 Soul vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines whose piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated. Kia communication 11017169/SST082 indexes a later PNSS vibration-inspection process to certain 2020-2023 Soul vehicle… Severity: high.