2023 model year · 345+ owner reports · Updated July 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 345+ owner reports, the 2023 Kia Soul has 1 documented issue, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption ($0-$5,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption with 345 owner reports. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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.
ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
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."
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.
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.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 345+ owner reports, the 2023 Kia Soul has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2023 Kia Soul has 1 known issue documented across 345+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Kia Soul issues range from $0 to $5,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption, typically costs $0-$5,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The 2.0L Nu MPI engine in 2020-2023 Souls may have incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings that do not properly scrape oil from the cylinder walls. This causes excessive oil consumption, potential oil starvation, and eventual engine damage. NHTSA recall covers approximately 137… Repairs typically run $0-$5,500. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
