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Kia · 1st & 2nd gen (AM/PS) (AM / PS) · 2010–2019

Kia Soul (2010–2019): Problems, Reliability & Repair Costs

The Soul is a cheap, roomy, easy-to-park box that's mostly dependable — with one expensive shadow over it. The 1.6L GDI (Gamma) and 2.0L (Nu) engines in many 2012–2019 cars are tied to a connecting-rod-bearing/catalytic-converter failure that can seize or even burn the engine. Kia recalled and class-action-settled it, extending warranties and replacing engines. Buy one with the KSDS recall done and a clean oil-consumption history and it's a genuinely good value box; buy one unaware and you risk a $4,000–$7,000 engine.

5/10 CarCaseFile
reliability score

Engines

  • G4FC / G4FG (Gamma) — 1.6L gasoline, 130 hp
  • G4KD / G4NA (Beta II / Nu) — 2.0L gasoline, 142 hp

Transmissions

  • automatic , 4-speed
  • automatic , 6-speed
  • manual , 5-speed

Drivetrain

FWD

Body

wagon

Should you buy a 2010–2019 Kia Soul?

Buy carefully and verify the engine first. A Soul that has had the KSDS (knock-sensor) recall software installed, no history of burning oil, and ideally a paper trail on the catalytic-converter/engine recall is a roomy, cheap-to-run little wagon that earns its fans. The problem is the 1.6L GDI and 2.0L engines: a connecting-rod-bearing defect (and a related catalytic-converter overheating recall) led to seizures, stalls, and fires on a meaningful number of 2012–2019 cars, with a national class-action settlement behind it. The 2014–2016 cars carry the most engine complaints. Do not buy one without checking recall completion by VIN and watching the oil level — a tired or pre-failure engine can cost more than the car is worth.

Best years

2017, 2018, 2019

Years to avoid

2014–2016 (highest engine-failure complaint volume), Any 1.6L GDI or 2.0L car without the KSDS recall confirmed done

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

  • ☐Run the VIN at owners.kia.com/recalls (or a Kia dealer) and confirm the KSDS knock-sensor software and the catalytic-converter/engine recall were performed.
  • ☐Check the oil level on the dipstick and ask the seller how often they add oil — burning more than ~1 quart between changes is a warning sign of the known oil-consumption/engine issue.
  • ☐Cold-start it and listen for ticking or knocking from the engine; a deep knock that quickens with RPM is the rod-bearing tell — walk away.
  • ☐Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while parked and listen for a clunk from the steering rack — points to the 2014–2016 pinion-plug/steering recall; confirm it was fixed.
  • ☐Watch for a check-engine light and ask if the catalytic converter has ever been replaced.
  • ☐Confirm the engine warranty status — affected engines got a powertrain warranty extension to 10 years / 120,000 miles, which can still apply to some cars.
  • ☐Inspect for any record of an engine short-block or full replacement under recall — a documented replacement engine is a plus, not a minus.

Common Kia Soul problems & repair costs

Connecting-rod-bearing engine failure

$4,000–$7,000
engine safety 2012–2019 (1.6L GDI and 2.0L) ~70k–110k mi

Symptoms: Engine ticking or deep knocking that gets faster with RPM, rising oil consumption, oil/check-engine lights, then stalling or a sudden seizure. In the worst cases the engine has caught fire.

Fix: Short-block or full engine replacement. Kia issued the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software recall to detect bearing wear early and a class-action settlement covering 2012–2016 Gamma and 2014–2019 Nu Souls — many engines were replaced free and powertrain warranties were extended to 10 yr / 120k mi. Out of coverage, a reman/used engine swap is the realistic fix.

Sources: Cars.com — Kia Soul recalls, ABC15 — Kia engine failure class-action settlement, CarComplaints — 2016 Kia Soul engine

Catalytic converter overheating / engine damage

$1,200–$2,500
exhaust / engine safety 2012–2016 (1.6L GDI) ~60k–100k mi

Symptoms: Check-engine light, loss of power, rotten-egg smell or rattling cat; in the recalled failure mode, excessive exhaust heat damages the converter and can cause abnormal combustion that damages pistons — and in some cases an underhood fire.

Fix: Kia's recall has dealers update the KSDS software and inspect for fuel/oil leaks, run an engine test, and make repairs up to and including engine replacement free of charge. A standalone catalytic-converter replacement (if not recall-covered) runs the lower end of the range; an OEM converter is the high end.

Sources: Cars.com — Kia Soul recalls, Kia Soul Forums — catalytic converter issue

Excessive oil consumption

$100–$400
engine moderate 2010–2019 ~60k–120k mi

Symptoms: Oil level drops noticeably between changes (often more than a quart), low-oil light, faint burning smell. Frequently shows up before the bigger engine failure, so treat it as an early warning, not a quirk.

Fix: Short term: monitor and top up oil between changes, run the correct grade, and keep service current. Long term, heavy consumption on a GDI/Nu engine points toward the underlying bearing/ring issue — get the KSDS recall done and watch closely. The cost here is the ongoing oil plus diagnosis; a real fix means engine work.

Sources: CarParts.com — Kia Soul reliability and common problems, Kia Soul Forums — engine problems thread

Steering-rack pinion-plug separation (clunk / steering loss)

$0–$900
steering safety 2014–2016 ~any

Symptoms: A clunking noise from the steering rack when turning, and in the recalled failure mode the pinion gear can separate from the steering gear assembly, which can cause loss of steering.

Fix: Covered by recall (NHTSA 19V120 and a prior steering recall) — dealers inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly free. Many owners report the simpler clunk is just a loose bolt at the bottom of the column shaft, tightened in minutes; have it diagnosed before paying for a full rack.

Sources: NHTSA recall 19V120 (Kia Soul steering), The Car Connection — 340,000 Kia Souls recalled over steering

Engine ticking / knocking noise

$150–$2,000
engine moderate 2010–2019 ~90k–110k mi

Symptoms: Audible tick or tap at idle, sometimes louder on cold start. On its own (light tick, stable oil) it can be lifter/valvetrain noise; combined with oil loss or a deepening knock it's the early stage of bearing failure.

Fix: Diagnose first — clean oil and the right grade settle some valvetrain ticks cheaply. A knock that tracks engine speed plus oil consumption is a different, far more expensive problem (see rod-bearing failure). Don't let a shop sell you a new engine before ruling out the cheap causes, and don't ignore a true knock.

Sources: Consumer Reports — 2013 Kia Soul reliability, Kia Soul Forums — engine problems

Set the engine risk aside and the Soul is cheap to live with: parts are inexpensive and widely available, fuel economy is decent, brakes/tires/suspension are ordinary small-car wear items, and routine service is simple. The whole calculus, though, hangs on the engine. A car with the KSDS recall done, no oil-burning, and ideally documented recall work is low-stress. A 1.6L GDI or 2.0L car with rising oil consumption is a financial gamble — the engine replacement can cost as much as the car. Budget the big numbers only if the recall/warranty paper trail is missing or the oil keeps disappearing.

DIY repairs & parts

Engine air & cabin filter change

easy 20 min saves ~$50–$110

Tools: No tools needed for cabin filter (clips), Flat screwdriver (airbox clips, if stiff)

  1. Open the glovebox, squeeze the side stops to drop it fully down, and pull out the cabin filter housing cover.
  2. Slide out the old cabin filter, note the airflow arrow, and insert the new one the same way.
  3. For the engine filter, release the airbox clips, lift the lid, and lift out the old panel filter.
  4. Seat the new engine filter in the box, re-clip the lid, and reattach the glovebox.

Parts

Tighten/inspect steering column-to-rack bolt (clunk diagnosis)

moderate 30–45 min saves ~$80–$150

Tools: 12mm socket + ratchet, Floor jack + jack stands (for access), Torque wrench

  1. First confirm the steering recall status by VIN — if it's open, take it to a Kia dealer instead of DIY (this is a safety item).
  2. If the recall is already done and a clunk remains, safely raise and support the front of the car.
  3. Locate the lower steering shaft U-joint where the column shaft meets the top of the steering rack.
  4. Check the pinch bolt at that joint; tightening it to spec resolves the common harmless clunk on many Gen2 Souls.
  5. Lower the car and re-test by turning the wheel lock-to-lock; if the clunk persists or there's any play, have the rack inspected professionally.

Parts

  • Steering shaft pinch bolt (OEM, if replacing) · Kia parts $5–$15

Engine oil & filter change

easy 30–45 min saves ~$40–$90

Tools: Socket/wrench for drain plug (17mm), Oil filter wrench, Drain pan + funnel, Jack + stands or ramps

  1. Warm the engine briefly, then raise and support the front of the car.
  2. Place the drain pan, remove the drain plug, and let the old oil drain fully.
  3. Remove the old oil filter, lightly oil the new filter's gasket, and hand-tighten the new one.
  4. Reinstall the drain plug with a fresh washer, lower the car, and fill with the correct grade and amount.
  5. Run the engine, check for leaks, then recheck the level — and note the level so you can track any oil consumption.

Parts

Some parts links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list parts that fit this generation.

The short version

The 2010–2019 Kia Soul is a likeable, practical box: tall, roomy, easy to park, and cheap to run. It would be an easy recommendation if not for one serious issue. The 1.6-liter GDI (Gamma) and 2.0-liter (Nu) engines in many 2012–2019 cars are tied to a connecting-rod-bearing defect that can make the engine knock, burn oil, seize, stall, or in the worst cases catch fire.

This got big. Kia rolled out the KSDS knock-sensor software recall to catch bearing wear early, a separate recall on 2012–2016 1.6L cars for catalytic-converter overheating that can damage the engine, and a national class-action settlement that extended powertrain warranties to 10 years / 120,000 miles and replaced engines for free.

That single risk is the difference between a $6,000 used car that runs for years and a $6,000 used car that needs a $5,000 engine.

What that means when you’re shopping

Treat the engine as the first thing to clear — before mileage, before paint, before anything. Run the VIN at a Kia dealer or owners.kia.com and confirm the KSDS software and the catalytic-converter/engine recall were performed. Then check the oil level yourself and ask how often the seller adds oil. Burning more than about a quart between changes is the early warning of the same failure.

The 2014–2016 cars have the most engine complaints, so be especially thorough there. A car that already received a documented engine replacement under recall is arguably safer than one that was never touched.

Everything else is ordinary small-car stuff. The 2014–2016 steering clunk is a known recall (pinion-plug separation) and is often just a loose bolt at the base of the steering column — have it diagnosed before paying for a whole rack. Beyond that you’re looking at normal brakes, tires, and suspension wear on a cheap-to-fix car.

How this file is built: failure modes and cost ranges are compiled from NHTSA recall data, CarComplaints owner reports, Kia’s own recall and class-action actions, and owner forums, then sanity-checked against shop-floor experience. Cost figures are independent-shop estimates and vary by region. Spot something off? Tell us.

Viral car myths, checked

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Soul years should I avoid?

The 2014–2016 cars carry the most engine-failure complaints, and any 1.6L GDI or 2.0L Soul without the KSDS knock-sensor recall confirmed done is a risk. They aren't all bad — many engines were replaced free under recall — but on those cars you must verify recall completion and oil-consumption history before buying.

Is the Kia Soul engine failure covered by Kia?

Yes, for affected cars. Kia issued the KSDS software recall plus a class-action settlement covering 2012–2016 Gamma (1.6L) and 2014–2019 Nu (2.0L) Souls, including a powertrain warranty extension to 10 years / 120,000 miles and free engine replacement where warranted. Check the VIN at a Kia dealer or owners.kia.com to see what still applies.

What does the knocking noise mean on a Kia Soul?

It depends. A light tick that's stable with good oil can be normal valvetrain noise. A deep knock that speeds up with RPM, especially alongside rising oil consumption, is the connecting-rod-bearing failure tell — that engine is on borrowed time and can seize. Get it diagnosed before buying, and don't ignore it if you own one.

Is the Kia Soul reliable?

Outside the engine issue, it's a simple, cheap-to-run little wagon with inexpensive parts. The engine defect is what drags the score down. A Soul with the recall done, no oil burning, and a clean history is a reasonable value; one with an unaddressed GDI/Nu engine is a gamble.

How many miles will a Kia Soul last?

A Soul that dodges or survives the engine issue can reach 150,000–200,000 miles on routine maintenance. But the documented engine failures often hit at 70k–110k miles, so longevity depends almost entirely on getting a sound engine and keeping the oil topped and serviced.