Which Years Of Used Kia Souls Are Most Reliable?
The Kia Soul is a decent subcompact car, well-known for its controversial square shape. Most people love or hate the design with every fiber of their being. If you’re interested in purchasing a used version of this vehicle, it’s critical to get the most for your money. You might wonder - what is the most reliable Kia Soul year?
Buying used means taking a gamble on the reliability of the year you purchase. However, it’s ideal to know the best choices to get the most out of your investment. Read on to learn more about the most reliable Kia Soul year, the reliability of the Kia Soul across the board, the worst years, and everything else you should know before buying used.
THE KIA SOUL YEARS TO AVOID
We’ve highlighted some of the worst Kia Soul years to avoid due to reliability issues, alongside the safe ones for used purchases.
Most Reliable Years For The Soul
The Kia Soul is loved for many reasons, not just the unique shell you drive around. It also comes with excellent safety features and one-of-a-kind interior additions for a fun drive every single time. However, with more than ten years on the market, it’s tricky to narrow down the most reliable used selection. Luckily, we have some suggestions for you.
Those searching for the most reliable Kia Soul year will enjoy the following selections:
- 2011 Kia Soul
- 2018 Kia Soul
- 2019 Kia Soul
These are incredible choices if you want a year that will last for a long time.
Kia did a quality job these years, producing vehicles with excellent stamina and features to keep the car and people inside in one piece for years. You will have to take these vehicles to the shop much less often than with other available used years from the Kia Soul.
These are the top three choices for reliability when considering the Kia Soul. However, they don’t speak for average reliability. How does the Kia Soul look in general when considering every year?
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Are Kia Souls Generally Reliable?
Before going all in on the Soul’s unique shape, it’s helpful to understand whether you’re investing in a vehicle known for its reliability. Let’s talk about it.
The Kia Soul reveals decent reliability, rising above the rest of its competitors. According to withclutch.com, the Soul scores 70.95 which makes it very reliable. It’s more than ten points higher than the second-place Kia Sedona from the brand.
A second opinion is an excellent idea, too. According to repairpal.com, the Kia Soul receives a 4.5⁄5, which makes it one of the top competitors in the category. This score puts it third out of seven competing subcompact vehicles.
The annual repair cost of a Kia Soul is $437, slightly below the average of $466 for all competing subcompact vehicles. If there is a repair needed for the Soul system, there is a 9% chance the necessary repair will be severe.
Those who drive Kia Souls report bringing them in for unexpected fixes an average of .2 times a year, which is right on average for other subcompact vehicles. It might not be better than average, but you don’t have to anticipate a high number of unexpected fixes throughout the year. The Kia Soul is a generally reliable selection.
Which Kia Soul Years Are The Least Reliable?
We’ve gone over the most reliable selections for the Kia Soul. Now, let’s talk about the worst choices. It’s vital to be aware of these so you know which cars will provide value to your dollar and which ones will not.
If you’re searching for the most reliable Kia Soul year, stay away from these options:
- 2012 Kia Soul
- 2013 Kia Soul
- 2014 Kia Soul
- 2015 Kia Soul
- 2016 Kia Soul
Keep clear of these years if you want to get the most bang for your buck.
There were plenty of complaints during these years. One of the most commonly reported issues was sudden engine failure, shutting down without warning. Not only is this issue dangerous, but it also warrants thousands of dollars in repair or replacement fees. Most reported engine failure before the car even reached 100,000 miles. It’s a big deal.
These years might experience the most troublesome faults. However, issues appear across all Kia Soul years.
What Reddit Says About the Kia Soul’s Reliability:
What does the automotive community think about the Kia Soul’s reliability? Below are some of the experiences of real-life Soul owners regarding its reliability and lifespan:
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byu/wheeland15 from discussion
inKiaSoulClub
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byu/wheeland15 from discussion
inKiaSoulClub
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byu/whatisroblox from discussion
inKiaSoulClub
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byu/seditio79 from discussion
inKiaSoulClub
Overall, the KiaSoulClub community’s experience with the car’s reliability seems to be in-sync with our above recommendations. Avoid the model years we outlined above, and go for newer ones if your budget allows.
THE 10 MOST RELIABLE USED SEDANS
If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.
What Are The Most Common Issues With A Kia Soul?
The Soul compact SUV is not without its mechanical and electrical bugs. As a used car buyer, we highly recommend familiarizing yourself with these common issues and decide whether the Kia Soul is for you. Below are the common issues that may affect the vehicle’s reliability:
1. Engine Failure
One of the most concerning problems is engine failure, which has affected the 2012-2016 models. Investigations revealed that high exhaust gas temperatures damaged the catalytic converters, leading to abnormal engine combustion and damage to pistons and connecting rods. Kia issued a recall (#SC176) in February 2019 to address this issue, which affected over 350,000 vehicles.
2. Knocking Noise from the Engine
Another engine-related problem that has troubled Kia Soul owners is a knocking noise, particularly in the 2014 model year. In some extreme cases, this issue has even led to fires under the hood. Kia released recall #SC200 in December 2020 to tackle this problem, which also affected other Kia models such as the Sorento, Forte, Optima Hybrid, and Sportage.
3. Ticking Sounds
On a related note, the 2013 Kia Soul has been notorious for audible ticking sounds emanating from the engine, which is related to the aforementioned engine failure issue. Owners have reported loud knocking and tapping noises during their daily drives, followed by a decrease in vehicle speed. Replacing the engine has been the most common solution, costing affected owners an average of $4,000.
4. Steering System Problems
Steering system problems have also been a headache for 2012 Kia Soul owners. Many have experienced clunking sounds in the steering column, especially when making turns or driving at certain speeds. This issue typically arises around 70,000 miles and costs approximately $800 to fix. Kia has released several technical service bulletins (TSBs) to address this problem, with the latest being issued in March 2021.
5. Cruise Control Woes
In addition to these major concerns, the Kia Soul has also faced issues with its cruise control system. Some owners of the 2018 model have reported sudden surges in speed followed by a dramatic slowdown to three miles per hour. Kia has not yet released any TSBs or recalls to address this specific problem.
6. Engine Not Starting
Lastly, some 2016 Kia Soul owners have encountered difficulties with the engine not starting. This issue seems to occur around 10,000 miles, with some owners experiencing it within a month of purchasing the vehicle. While there are no TSBs directly addressing this problem, Kia did release TSB #PS425 for the Soul EV regarding an “unable to start vehicle” warning message displayed on the audio-video navigation system.
In summary, the Kia Soul has experienced a range of problems across various model years, with engine failure and knocking being the most severe. These problems are especially prevalent in the less reliable Soul years. While Kia has issued recalls and TSBs to address some of these issues, owners have still had to bear the burden of costly repairs, which is never fun.
We’ve gone over many details considering the reliability of the Kia Soul. Now, it’s time for the ultimate question - is the Kia Soul worth it?
Is The Kia Soul Worth It?
Although there are flaws in the Kia Soul, it’s a generally reliable choice if you want a safe and practical subcompact option from the Kia brand. As long as you avoid the worst years and go for the best, you will get excellent value for your money.
Of course, owning a Kia Soul means being confident in the unique square design. Its reliability will take you far if you’re confident as an owner.
Although Kia has some unreliable vehicles, the Kia Soul isn’t one of them. It’s at the top of their available options.
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Final Thoughts
Despite the strange appearance, the Kia Soul is generally reliable and will provide excellent value if you want a used car. There are several affordable and durable options, ready to provide you with an excellent ride.
We hope this information was helpful! It might be stressful landing on the most reliable Soul on the market with so many options available, but our analysis should help you narrow down your options a little bit. The Kia Souls is an excellent car, no matter what your life looks like.
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