Kia Soul: common faults & what to check

Which Kia Soul are you looking at?

4 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

3 variants documented

2009–2014AM2009–2014AM1.6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues4 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Elise240SX via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2009–2014AM2009–2014AM2.0 petrolPetrolDocumented issues6 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Elise240SX via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2014–2019PS2014–2019PS2.0 petrolPetrolDocumented issues4 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Electric

1 variant documented

2014–2019PS2014–2019PSEV 27kWhElectricDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Kia Soul

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Kia Soul before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Start from cold and listen for any knock or heavy tick deep in the engine, then rev gently and listen again.

  See why

  2.0 Nu GDI connecting-rod bearing failure and fire risk

  The PS Soul's 2.0 'Nu' GDI engine was the subject of a Kia recall (around 295,000 US vehicles, 2014-2015 Souls) for excessive connecting-rod bearing wear that can let the rod punch through the block, dumping oil and risking an under-bonnet fire. Dealers inspected/tested engines and fitted knock-sensor (KSDS) software, replacing engines where needed. On NZ/AU-delivered and imported cars, confirm the recall work was done and listen hard for any bottom-end knock — this is the make-or-break check on a PS Soul.

  What you would notice

  • Deep metallic knock from the engine
  • Ticking that worsens under load
  • Oil light / stalling
  • Burning-oil smell or smoke (in bad cases)

  Typically $5,500–$10,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine and listen immediately for chain rattle from the front before oil pressure builds.

  See why

  2.0 Nu GDI Timing Chain Stretch

  The Kia Nu 2.0 GDI four-cylinder engine used in the 2012–2019 Soul has documented timing chain stretch, with KiaTechInfo TSBs acknowledging the condition and issuing tensioner updates. The fault is linked to infrequent oil changes, incorrect oil viscosity, and the original tensioner design. A stretched chain causes variable valve timing errors, rough running, and potential valve-to-piston damage if the chain skips a tooth.

  What you would notice

  • Rattle on cold start from engine front, clears within seconds as oil pressure builds
  • P0016 or P0017 cam-crank timing correlation fault codes
  • Rough idle or hesitation that may clear once the engine warms up
  • Check engine light on with timing-related codes

  Typically $1,800–$3,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With the car stationary, turn the steering from lock to lock slowly and listen for grinding, clunking, or grating from the top of the strut towers.

  See why

  Front Strut Top Mount Bearing Collapse

  The Soul's MacPherson strut top mounts use a bearing to allow steering rotation. These bearings deteriorate with age and kilometres, causing clunking over bumps and imprecise steering feedback. Failure progresses from subtle noise to a pronounced knock that is frequently mistaken for worn ball joints. The fault is common on NZ/AU examples exposed to typical road surfaces and is a standard finding on higher-mileage cars.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking or knocking from front suspension over bumps and at low speed
  • Noise on full steering lock during parking manoeuvres
  • Vague steering feel or a slight pull to one side
  • Creaking from the strut area when the body rolls in cornering

  Typically $350–$800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Ask for a battery state-of-health (SOH) reading and compare the real range against the original figure.

  See why

  Soul EV (27kWh) battery degradation and range loss

  The electric PS Soul uses a small 27kWh battery, so any capacity loss with age hits usable range hard, and imported examples vary widely in battery health. Watch for reduced range, slower charging and any battery-management warnings. Out of warranty a high-voltage battery is very expensive, so on an EV Soul the battery's state of health is by far the most important number — more than mileage or cosmetics.

  What you would notice

  • Noticeably reduced range versus new
  • Slower or interrupted charging
  • Battery / EV-system warning lights
  • Fewer usable bars on the gauge

  Typically $6,000–$14,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check the oil level and colour and ask how much it uses.

  See why

  2.0 engine oil consumption and top-end noise

  The first-generation AM Soul's 2.0 petrol can develop noticeable oil consumption and a top-end tick as it ages, and the later 2.0 'Nu' engines in these cars sit on the edge of the engine-family issues that led to recalls on the following generation. It's usually a top-up-and-monitor situation rather than instant failure, but an engine that's been run low on oil is at real risk, so consumption history matters on a car this age.

  What you would notice

  • Oil level dropping between services
  • Ticking or tapping from the top of the engine
  • Blue smoke on start-up
  • Oil light flicker at idle when low

  Typically $400–$3,000 to put right.

• Common issue

  Rock the steering gently side to side while stationary and feel/listen for a clunk.

  See why

  Steering column/coupler clunk and front-end knocks

  AM Soul owners commonly report a clunk or knock felt through the steering, traced to the steering column coupler/intermediate shaft, along with the usual worn front suspension links and bushes by this age. The steering clunk is more unsettling than dangerous but should be checked, and a car with several worn front-end parts rides poorly and may fail a WOF. These are cheap, normal fixes and useful bargaining points.

  What you would notice

  • Clunk felt through the steering wheel over bumps or turning
  • Knock from the front on rough roads
  • Vague steering feel
  • Uneven front tyre wear

  Typically $250–$800 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Kia Soul’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• EV Battery Replacement Cost
• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Kia models