Is the 2017 Kia SOUL EV reliable?

The 2017 Kia SOUL EV has 23 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Kia SOUL EV?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (11 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (3 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Kia SOUL EV?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Kia SOUL EV?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Kia SOUL EV is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Kia SOUL EV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Kia SOUL EV has 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.9x the segment average of 8. The most common issue is electrical problems (48% of all complaints), specifically: power failure going high speed decreasing from 45mph. had disengaged cruise control and attempted to change lanes and prepare to turn at intersection after exiting off highway. also happened a week prior in town in neighborhood. no cruise control was involved and going low speed under 35mph. had to . There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

11 complaints

48%

• Power failure going high speed decreasing from 45mph. Had disengaged cruise control and attempted to change lanes and prepare to turn at intersection after exiting off highway. Also happened a week prior in town in neighborhood. No cruise control was involved and going low speed under 35mph. Had to
• Original factory installed driver's side seat heater shorted out, caused fire and burned a hole in the seat back. This thermal event was reported to Kia Customer Service on March 16, 2023. Kia has not responded back for over 2 months, to address this issue. Kia case no. 15394468. Same problem with
• My 2017 KIA Soul EV battery has not been holding a full charge since the beginning of April. The dealer was notified in early May that the charges were seeming to cut off early & provided with a log of charging/driving. We waited, then were told that a replacement battery would be ordered, installed

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“Power failure going high speed decreasing from 45mph. Had disengaged cruise control and attempted to change lanes and prepare to turn at intersection after exiting off highway. Also happened a week prior in town in neighborhood. No cruise control was involved and going low speed under 35mph. Had to ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS25/01/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Kia SOUL EV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SOUL EV Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2017 SOUL EV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 23 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: Power failure going high speed decreasing from 45mph. Had disengaged cruise control and attempted to change lanes and prepare to turn at intersection after exiting off highway. Also happened a week prior in town in neighborhood. No cruise control was involved and going low speed under 35mph. Had to
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: MY ALL ELECTRIC HAS A B MODE TO SHIFT IN. SIMPLY PUT IT ENGAGES THE GENERATOR FULLY WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL SO YOU CAN GENERATE ELECTRICITY. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU DO THIS THE CAR BRAKES QUITE QUICK, SO QUICK IN FACT THEY CALL THIS TYPE OF DRIVING ONE PEDAL DRIVING DUE TO THE FACT YOU VERY SELDOM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SOUL EV. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD; HOWEVER, THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Power failure going high speed decreasing from 45mph. Had disengaged cruise control and attempted to change lanes and prepare to turn at intersection after exiting off highway. Also happened a week prior in town in neighborhood. No cruise control was involved and going low speed under 35mph. Had to
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)