Kia over the years has constantly been working on its reliability and they stand as one of the leading brands when it comes to making reliable cars today. The Kia Soul has to be one of the best offerings in the compact wagon segment. With just 1 recall and a puny 26 complaints registered in total, the 2019 Kia Soul makes for a very dependable car. The competition from cars like the Toyota C-HR, the Hyundai Kona, and the Buick Encore doesn’t disturb the Kia in terms of the sales as it offers a very funky design and the best in class power.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Headlamps – A constant discharge in the battery cause fluctuations in the electrical flow which leads to the lights burning out frequently.
- Reverse camera – It has been claimed that the reverse camera has a dull clarity and the display isn’t bright enough to have a clear view. Owners have bumped into poles and other cars as they weren’t able to see what was behind the car.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – The engine stalled when trying to accelerate from a traffic light and in other instances, the throttle felt delayed and responded late when trying to accelerate.
- Brakes – The brake pedal was stuck against the floor while reversing the car which led the Kia Soul to roll freely in reverse and ended up being stopped by a metal pole. This could have ended up in a much worse situation if there were pedestrians or other cars behind.
- Steering – The steering wheel got locked when backing the car leaving the driver to have no control over the maneuverability. This forced the driver to use the emergency brakes before he almost ran into another car that was parked.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelt – The seatbelt light kept turning on even though it was latched the right way but this issue has been occurring very often. This may cause the belt to unlatch itself without any warning when applying the brakes, increasing the chances of an injury
Exterior Problems
- Windshield – The car was parked in an open parking lot on a sunny day and while the owner was walking toward the car, the rear windshield just shattered and the reason is unknown as the dealers weren’t able to replicate the issue.
Recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
25th January 2022 |
22V031000 |
Airbags may not deploy |
The airbag control unit cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board which can damage the electrical circuit and result in an inactive airbag. |
The ACU will be inspected and the software would be updated or the unit will be replaced if necessary. |
Should you buy the 2019 Kia Soul?
It’s not just on the papers that the Kia Soul is reliable but also in the real world as it manages to have just 1 recall. The Kia Soul even though a compact car offers much more space than its rivals and is worth being called an all-rounder as it offers more than what you pay for. The reason for the Kia Soul to be selling high volumes even after a great competition is due to the reliability and value it offers especially for its price range. At a base price of $16,490, it falls under the budget that the majority of the buyers seek for a car in, and you get a much more powerful engine if you bump up the price a little. Either way, no matter which trim you pick of the Kia Soul, the visits to the mechanics are going to stay low.
