Used Kia Soul 2nd Gen (2014-2019): Buyer's Guide

The 2014 Kia Soul has five active NHTSA recalls. The 2019 has one. Same generation. Same basic shape. Same boxy silhouette in used car lots across the country. The recall gap is that dramatic, and most buyers have no idea it exists.

The second-generation Soul (2014-2019) is one of the most genuinely likable compact cars on the used market: roomy for its footprint, cheap to maintain, and distinct enough that owners actually enjoy looking at it in the parking lot. But the 2014-2016 models carry a 1.6L engine recall that can cascade into piston damage, connecting rod failure, oil leaks, and fire. The 2.0L across all six years has a documented rod bearing failure pattern at high mileage. The 1.6T turbo added in 2017 uses a dry dual-clutch transmission that judders and shudders when the clutch wears. The Soul EV has no liquid cooling on its battery pack, and the original 93-mile range degrades to roughly 62 miles by year seven.

None of this makes the Soul a bad buy. It makes the 2018 and 2019 with the 1.6L a very good buy, and the 2014 with the 2.0L a gamble you don't need to take.

This Generation at a Glance

The second-generation Soul launched for 2014 on an updated platform shared with the Kia Forte. It was a full redesign from the 2010-2013 first generation: wider, longer, more safety features, and a significantly more refined interior.

The generation ran six model years with a meaningful facelift arriving for 2017. That refresh brought updated exterior styling, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, improved materials, and a completely new powertrain at the top of the lineup: the 1.6L turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission.

The Soul EV was available throughout most of this generation (2015-2019), though distribution was limited to select states.

Market pages for each year: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019

Powertrain and Trim Breakdown

1.6L NA (Gamma MPI) — The Safe Choice

The base 1.6L naturally aspirated engine appears in the entry-level Soul trim across all six model years. It makes 130 horsepower, pairs with either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, and returns 26-27 mpg combined.

This is the engine you want if you are not chasing performance. The Gamma MPI is not the GDI (gasoline direct injection) version of this engine, which means it avoids the carbon buildup issues that plague direct-injection engines at higher mileage. It is a simpler, conventional port-injection setup.

The 1.6L NA is included in NHTSA recall SC176 for 2014-2016 model years. That recall addresses catalytic converter overheating caused by high exhaust gas temperatures. If the catalytic converter overheats, it can damage the pistons, which in turn can cause a connecting rod to puncture the engine block, allowing oil to escape onto the exhaust — and potentially ignite. Kia's remedy is an ECU software update and catalytic converter replacement. If the engine was already damaged before the update, Kia replaces the engine.

Before buying any 2014, 2015, or 2016 Soul with the 1.6L engine, run the VIN at NHTSA's website or CarScout's recall check and confirm SC176 is marked complete. If it is not complete, that's a negotiation point — or a reason to walk.

Post-repair, the 1.6L is a straightforward, durable engine. Owners on kiasoulforums.com report reaching 150,000+ miles with nothing more than regular oil changes. Annual maintenance costs average $323 per year per RepairPal data, which is well below the compact class average.

The 2017-2019 1.6L NA benefits from the facelift refinements without inheriting the 1.6T's DCT. If you want the lowest-maintenance, lowest-risk Soul in the second generation, a 2018 or 2019 base with the 1.6L NA is the answer.

2.0L NA (Nu GDI) — The One to Research Carefully

The 2.0L Nu engine appears in the Soul+ and Soul! (Exclaim) trims from 2014-2016, and in the Soul+ trim from 2017-2019 after the 1.6T displaced it from the top Exclaim trim. It makes 161 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed automatic.

The 2.0L Nu engine has a documented rod bearing failure pattern that forum communities have tracked for years. The problem starts with defective oil control rings that do not hold spec. When the rings chip or wear prematurely, they stop scraping oil off the cylinder walls. Oil consumption increases. Owners who are not checking oil between changes may not catch it. Oil starvation starves the rod bearings. The bearings spin. The engine fails.

Owner reports on kiasoulforums.com describe failures as early as 58,000 miles on 2014 models and commonly at 70,000-95,000 miles across the generation. A 2017 Soul with 123,000 miles was reported burning roughly two quarts every 500 miles before complete engine failure. The 2014 and 2015 2.0L automatic are specifically the worst combination — the 2014 Soul accumulated over 900 NHTSA complaints total, and the 2015 logged 26 engine failure complaints alone. These are not outliers. They reflect a pattern that drove both a class action settlement and an extended warranty program.

Kia settled a class action (the "E2 Settlement") covering 2014-2019 Nu-engined Souls and extended the powertrain warranty to 15 years and 150,000 miles for rod bearing damage — but that extension required completing the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update by November 4, 2023. That deadline has passed. Cars that never received the KSDS update may no longer qualify for the extended warranty. When buying any 2.0L Soul, call Kia at 1-800-944-1025 with the VIN to confirm KSDS status and settlement eligibility. A separate April 2022 class action targets the oil consumption defect specifically — the engine warranty issue and the oil consumption issue are two separate legal matters.

The critical pre-purchase step: check the oil level cold, before the engine starts. A 2.0L Soul with low oil and no maintenance records is not a car you should buy. One with a documented 5,000-mile oil change history on 0W-20 OEM-spec oil and full oil in the dipstick is a different calculation. The difference between these two cars is not their mileage — it is their maintenance.

What owners like about the 2.0L: it is noticeably quicker than the 1.6L in everyday driving, particularly in merging and highway situations. With the right maintenance history, many reach 150,000+ miles without incident. The risk is real but not inevitable.

1.6L Turbo + DCT (Gamma GDI T) — The Performance Option

The 1.6T arrived with the 2017 facelift as the sole powertrain for the top-trim Soul! (Exclaim). It makes 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Fuel economy is 26/31/28 mpg, which is better than both naturally aspirated options despite producing 40% more power.

The 1.6T is a genuinely fun engine in the Soul's lightweight chassis. Zero to 60 in the mid-7-second range puts it ahead of most subcompact competitors.

The issue is the DCT. Kia issued TSB TRA083 addressing clutch judder in 2016-2020 vehicles equipped with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The symptom: body vibration when accelerating from a stop at low speed (around 3 mph). The root cause is uneven clutch finger wear and pressure plate glazing from repeated heat cycles. The bulletin's remedy is full dual clutch assembly replacement plus TCU software update. Cost: $2,200 to $6,000 depending on labor rates and whether the TCU update alone resolves it.

The dry DCT rewards smooth, steady throttle inputs and clean highway driving. It does not handle heavy stop-and-go traffic or repeated hill holds gracefully. City commuters who ride the clutch in slow traffic will see faster wear. Owners on kiasoulforums.com who drive primarily highway report no issues at 80,000+ miles. Owners who drove primarily urban routes often report early judder.

Before test-driving a 1.6T Soul:

• Ask the seller how much city driving the car has done
• Ask if the DCT fluid has ever been changed (it should be every 30,000-40,000 miles — many owners skip this)
• Ask if the TRA083 bulletin work was ever performed

During the test drive: creep the car at 3 mph in a parking lot. Any vibration or shudder at that speed is the clutch judder pattern. A smooth creep with no vibration is what you want.

Soul EV — Only If the Battery Health Checks Out

The Soul EV is a niche vehicle that deserves its own section because the used purchase calculus is completely different from the gas models.

The 2015-2019 Soul EV uses a 27 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with no liquid thermal management. The battery is air-cooled. This matters because heat is the primary killer of lithium-ion cells, and without liquid cooling, the Soul EV's battery degrades faster than liquid-cooled EVs of the same era.

InsideEVs tested a 2017 Soul EV with roughly 60,000 miles (100,000 km). Range: approximately 62 miles. The car was rated 93 miles when new. That is a 33% range loss in seven years. The degradation curve is not linear — it accelerates as cells age.

Kia covers the battery pack for 8 years and 100,000 miles for capacity loss below a threshold. If the battery is still within coverage, degradation below warranty thresholds can result in a free replacement. If the car is out of warranty, battery replacement is expensive — estimates range from $6,000 to $15,000+ depending on whether refurbished or new cells are used.

Before buying a Soul EV:

1. Charge the car to 100% and note the displayed range. Below 70 miles is significant degradation.
2. Use an OBD-II reader with the Torque Pro app and CanZE plugin to read battery State of Health (SOH) directly from the BMS.
3. Confirm whether the 8yr/100k battery warranty is still active for this specific VIN.
4. Ask about the car's charging history — frequent DC fast charging accelerates degradation more than Level 2 home charging.

The Soul EV makes excellent sense as a short-range city car for an owner who understands what they are buying. It makes no sense for anyone who needs more than 60 miles of range and assumes they are getting 90.

Trim-Specific Notes

The second-generation Soul has three gas trim levels:

Soul (base): 1.6L only. Steel wheels on earliest years, alloys later. Basic infotainment, manual AC. This is the trim that keeps maintenance simple. No sunroof to rattle, no panoramic glass to leak, no tech features to fail. For buyers who want reliable transportation at the lowest operating cost, this is the one to prioritize.

Soul+ (Plus): Available with 1.6L or 2.0L across all years. Adds a sunroof, heated front seats, touchscreen infotainment, and alloy wheels. The sunroof track is a known rattle source at higher mileage — check it on a rough road during the test drive. The 2.0L in the Plus trim gets you the extra power without the DCT risk of the Exclaim.

Soul! (Exclaim): 2.0L from 2014-2016, 1.6T from 2017-2019. The most equipment: leather, panoramic sunroof, larger infotainment screen, premium audio. The panoramic roof on 2014-2016 Exclaim trims has reported water intrusion and seal degradation. Inspect the headliner for any water staining before buying. The 2017-2019 Exclaim with the 1.6T is the most expensive used option in this generation, and the one where DCT health matters most.

Feature that always matters: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were added in the 2017 facelift. If you use your phone for navigation and audio, a 2014-2016 is a compromised experience without an aftermarket head unit.

Which Model Years to Target Within This Gen

The honest breakdown:

The 2014 is the hardest version of this car to buy safely. Over 900 NHTSA complaints — the highest complaint volume of any year in the generation — and five active recalls. CarBuzz, CoPilot, and Motorverso all specifically name the 2014 2.0L automatic as the single riskiest Soul to buy used. If you buy a 2014, confirm every recall is complete and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine and steering.

The 2016 is the best of the pre-facelift years. The accelerator pedal recall has typically been completed on cars this old. The engine and steering recalls are the remaining concerns. A 2016 with confirmed SC176 completion and documented oil changes is a reasonable buy — you get original-generation pricing with reduced recall risk.

The 2017 is where this generation becomes a clean recommendation. One recall (the airbag ACU), a refined interior, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and your choice of the improved 1.6L, the 2.0L, or the new 1.6T.

The 2018 and 2019 are the sweet spot. Consumer Reports gave the 2019 a 5/5 reliability score. The 2018 logged minimal NHTSA complaints across all powertrains. Either year with the 1.6L NA is about the lowest-risk compact car you can buy in the $12,000-$18,000 range.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

For any 2014-2016 Soul (all engines):

• Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall database or CarScout's recall check. The steering pinion recall (SC155) was issued twice — Kia recalled 342,000 cars a second time after determining the first repair was insufficient. Confirm both the original campaign and the second campaign are marked complete, not just one
• Confirm SC176 (engine/catalytic converter) is complete if the car has the 1.6L GDI engine
• Verify the accelerator pedal recall is complete on 2014-2015 models
• During the test drive, check for any clunking from the steering rack when turning — that is the pinion wear symptom

For any Soul with the 1.6L NA:

• Start cold and listen for any ticking or exhaust irregularity before the engine warms
• If 2014-2016: plug in an OBD-II reader and check for any P0420 (catalytic converter efficiency) codes — this is exactly what SC176 was designed to address

For any Soul with the 2.0L Na:

• Check the oil level cold before the engine starts. Low oil on a 2.0L is a red flag
• Ask for maintenance records. Look specifically for consistent 5,000-mile oil change intervals using the OEM-specified 0W-20 weight
• After a 20-minute drive, listen at idle for any rod knock (a rhythmic metallic tick that changes with RPM)
• Ask whether the KSDS update was completed before November 4, 2023 — that deadline was required to preserve the 15yr/150k rod bearing warranty extension. Call Kia (1-800-944-1025) with the VIN to confirm before purchase

For any 2017-2019 Soul with the 1.6T:

• In a parking lot, creep forward at 3 mph under light throttle. Any body vibration that is not in the steering wheel is the clutch judder pattern. Walk away or negotiate for the $2,200-$6,000 dual clutch replacement cost
• Ask the seller when the DCT fluid was last serviced (it should have been done by 40,000 miles — many owners never do this)
• Ask if any shudder has ever been reported to the dealer under warranty

For any Soul EV:

• Charge to 100% at a Level 2 charger and photograph the displayed range
• Use CanZE + OBD-II Bluetooth adapter to read battery SOH directly from the BMS before buying
• Confirm the 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty status via Kia's customer line

For all years:

• Verify the airbag ACU recall (2017-2019) is complete
• Run the AC on the hottest blower setting for 10 minutes. Premature AC compressor failures are reported across this generation
• Open and close the sunroof (Plus and Exclaim trims) and listen for track noise or rattles
• Inspect headliner above the sunroof and rear door seals for water staining

Running Costs

All gas versions use a timing chain (not belt) — no scheduled replacement needed. Water pump replacement runs $341-$755. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty transfers to subsequent owners for the remaining coverage period, which on a 2019 model bought today covers you through 2029.

The 2.0L's annual cost figure is deceptive. A well-maintained 2.0L might cost $350/year. One that burns a quart per 1,000 miles and spins a bearing at 85,000 miles costs several thousand dollars. The maintenance records make this call, not the mileage.

FAQ

Is the 2nd gen Kia Soul reliable? Yes, with conditions. The 2017-2019 models score well with Consumer Reports, and RepairPal rates the Soul above average for its class. The 2014-2016 models carry more recall risk and the 2.0L engine has a documented rod bearing failure pattern at higher mileage. Engine choice and maintenance history matter more than generation overall.

Which Kia Soul years should I avoid? The 2014 model year has the most active recalls of any Soul in this generation — five, including a catalytic converter recall linked to engine fire risk. The 2015 and 2016 carry fewer but still include the engine recall. If buying pre-facelift, confirm every recall is complete. The 2017-2019 facelift models are significantly cleaner.

Does the Kia Soul 2.0L have engine problems? Some do. The 2.0L Nu engine is prone to oil consumption via worn oil control rings, which can lead to rod bearing failure if oil isn't monitored. Failures are documented as early as 58,000 miles; the most common range is 70,000-95,000 miles. Out-of-warranty engine replacement runs $5,700-$10,000. Kia extended the warranty to 15 years and 150,000 miles for rod bearing failures under the E2 class action settlement, but that coverage required completing the KSDS software update by November 4, 2023. A 2.0L with the update done, documented maintenance, and full oil on the dipstick is a different car than one without.

How long does a Kia Soul last? With consistent oil changes, the 1.6L and 1.6T routinely reach 150,000-200,000 miles. The 2.0L reaches similar mileage with proper maintenance but is higher risk if oil is neglected. The Soul's average annual repair cost of $323 (per RepairPal) is one of the lowest in the compact class, which supports long ownership spans when maintained.

Is the 1.6T turbo Kia Soul worth it? In a 2018 or 2019, yes — if the DCT has no shudder and the clutch fluid has been serviced. The performance advantage is real: 201 hp vs. 130 hp in the same car makes a meaningful difference. The risk is the dry DCT clutch wear in stop-and-go driving. Test it at 3 mph before you buy. Smooth creep means the clutch is fine. Vibration means budget $2,200-$6,000 before or after purchase.

Bottom Line

Get a 2018 or 2019. For most buyers, that means the 1.6L NA in the Soul or Soul+ trim: simple, reliable, and cheap to maintain. If you want the performance and can find one with no DCT judder and a fluid change history, the 2018-2019 Exclaim with the 1.6T is also a strong pick. Avoid the 2014-2015 unless every recall shows complete on the VIN check. For any 2.0L regardless of year, maintenance records are non-negotiable — see the oil before you buy.

Run every VIN through a recall check before you negotiate. The difference between a clean 2019 and a recall-laden 2014 is not obvious from the outside. CarScout members can set alerts on specific Soul years and trim levels and get notified when matching inventory hits the market at usecarscout.com.

Data sourced from NHTSA recalls database (recall campaigns SC176, SC155, 19V120000, 15V123000; TSBs TRA083/MC-10185033, MC-10201469, MC-10189272), EPA fuel economy data, the Kia E2 engine class action settlement (kiaengineclasssettlement.com), and real owner experiences from kiasoulforums.com, kia-forums.com, mykiasoulev.com, and Consumer Reports owner reliability surveys. See full Kia Soul market data for pricing and inventory.