Things to consider when insuring one
Fire-risk recall: park it outside until it’s fixed
NHTSA advises parking affected cars outside and away from buildings. A fire in an attached garage can become a home insurance claim as well as an auto one, so get the repair done first.
Driver-assist sensors come standard
They can help avoid crashes, but a windshield or bumper repair often needs the cameras and radar recalibrated, which costs more. Check what your comprehensive and collision deductibles would mean for a glass claim.
Most owner complaints are about the electrical system
14 of 54 complaints to NHTSA mention it. Worth a look in a pre-purchase inspection.
4 recalls
- Park outsideNHTSA 23V531000 · Jul 31, 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.
- The risk
- An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- The fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
- NHTSA 25V099000 · Feb 18, 2025
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.
- The risk
- Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
- NHTSA 23V830000 · Dec 23, 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.
- The risk
- An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
- NHTSA 23V298000 · Apr 26, 2023
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."
- The risk
- A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
Crash test ratings
2023 Kia Soul SUV FWD
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
What owners report
54 complaints to NHTSA, 6 involving a crash, 1 a fire, 15 injuries.
- Electrical system14
- Engine14
- Unknown or other13
- Service brakes8
- Steering8
- Lane departure7
- Air bags5
- Forward collision avoidance5
Insuring a 2023 Kia Soul?
An independent broker compares several insurers for you and can explain what matters for this car. Find one who writes auto where you live.
Other 2023 Kia models
Recalls, crash ratings and owner complaints are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), last checked Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are owners’ reports and aren’t verified by NHTSA. This page is general information, not advice about a specific vehicle or policy.