Are there open safety recalls?
1 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2017 Kia Soul has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 270 owner complaints, and gets about 105 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2017 Kia Soul
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Electricity
- Body Small Station Wagons
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
19 injuries reported
19 of 270 reports (~7%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2017.
- 20154recalls
- 20162recalls
- 2017 · this car1recall
- 20181recall
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked July 29, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2017 Kia Soul SUV FWD
Open safety recalls
1 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Air Bags
25/01/2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
How they fix it: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked July 29, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2017.
- 2015899reports
- 2016802reports
- 2017 · this car270reports
- 2018212reports
270 owner reports on file
17 crash mentions 14 fire mentions 19 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 270 total reports.
- ENGINE 152 of 270
One day I noticed my oil light flashed on and off about three times during a drive down the road, simultaneously a loud knocking started in my engine. Although I had gotten my oil changed just a couple months prior and always practiced appr
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 23 of 270
The paint is continuing to peel off and its getting worse. When I called Kia they said it is not covered. Apparently this is a manufacturing defect. I would really like this to be corrected if possible. T;hank you, Gail LeBrun
- POWER TRAIN 19 of 270
The engine has structural manufacturer defect causing extreme internal engine oil consumption with zero external leaks, creating a severe risk of sudden oil starvation catastrophic mechanical engine failure. The severe oil consumption probl
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19 of 270
I reported the issue yesterday, but we have additional information. Here is a timeline of the incident as recorded by the doorbell camera: 2026-05-03 085400 Car parked 101423 Car is already trying to start by itse
- AIR BAGS 14 of 270
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that
- STEERING 9 of 270
The vehicle experiences major engine performance issues following a replacement engine installation (approximately 8,000 miles on the new engine). Additionally, the catalytic converter is malfunctioning, the steering exhibits significant pu
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked July 29, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
93 miles
estimated range on a full charge
About $700 per year for electricity
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $7,250 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 97 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 19 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked July 29, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (A1)
Fuel
Electricity
See all factory details (6)
- Cylinders
- 0
- Displacement
- 0 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (A1)
- Body
- Small Station Wagons
- Fuel
- Electricity
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked July 29, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2017 Kia Soul listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2017 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2017 Kia Soul, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Kia Soul get? +
The EPA rates the 2017 Kia Soul at 105 mpg combined (120 city / 92 highway), about $700 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2017 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2017 Kia Soul 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2017 Kia Soul? +
Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Soul, including 17 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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