Used Kia Soul Buying Guide: Generations, Engines, Recalls

A used Kia Soul comes in three generations: 2010-2013, 2014-2019 and 2020-2025, and 2025 was the last model year. The engine recalls are what to clear first by VIN: 19V-120 on 2012-2016 Souls with the 1.6-liter GDI engine, 20V-750 for engine compartment fires on 2014-2015 cars, and piston oil ring recalls 21V-259 and 25V-099 on 2020-2023 Souls with the 2.0. If you are looking at a 2015-2019 Soul EV, add battery recall 23V-218.

We pulled Soul recall filings and reviews on October 14, 2026. Consumer Reports lists 2010, 2014 and 2020 as redesign years and 2025 as the final year. Kia's October 6, 2025 release said over 1.5 million Souls had sold in the U.S. since 2009 and that the third and final generation debuted in 2019 as a 2020 model. Car and Driver reported that production in South Korea would end that month. Our vPIC patterns for 2010, 2014 and 2020 Souls and a 2016 Soul EV all decoded to Gwangju. Decode yours with our Kia VIN decoder. Need more room or all-wheel drive? Read the used Kia Sportage buying guide.

Engines by generation

The second generation had the widest spread. Car and Driver's 2017 review lists a 131-hp 1.6 with a six-speed manual or automatic on the base car, a 161-hp 2.0 with a six-speed automatic on the Plus, and a new 201-hp turbo 1.6 with a seven-speed dual-clutch on the Exclaim. For the third generation, Car and Driver's 2020 review lists a 147-hp 2.0 with a six-speed manual or a CVT, and a 201-hp turbo 1.6 with a seven-speed automatic on the GT-Line Turbo. By 2025, Car and Driver says every Soul had the 147-hp 2.0, the CVT and front-wheel drive, rated up to 35 mpg highway and 27 city. CR found the engine gets loud when pushed and the ride notably stiff. So a late 2.0 Soul with the piston ring work documented is the easy buy, and a turbo is the fun pick if its service records are complete.

Engine recalls to clear by VIN

NHTSA recall 19V-120 covers about 378,967 2012-2016 Souls with the 1.6 GDI engine, where high exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter and then the pistons and connecting rods. Dealers update the engine computer, replace the converter if it is damaged, and replace the engine if needed. 20V-750 includes 2014-2015 Souls among Kia models where an engine compartment fire can start while driving. Dealers check for fuel and oil leaks, run an engine test and add knock sensor software. On the 2.0, 21V-259 covers 2020-2021 Souls whose piston oil rings may not have been heat-treated right, and 25V-099 covers 2021-2023 Souls whose rings may have been made wrong. A 2021 can show up in both. Our Hyundai and Kia engine recall guide explains how to read engine replacement records.

Steering, air bags and the Soul EV

17V-608 covers 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV cars whose pinion plug can let the steering pinion separate from the gear. It replaced two older campaigns, 14V-332 and 15V-736, and cars fixed under those are recalled again. 14V-822 covers 2010-2013 Souls with a sunroof whose headliner plate can come loose when the curtain air bag fires. On the EV, 23V-218 covers 2015-2019 Soul EVs with the E400 battery that can short while driving. The fix updates the battery software, which can light a warning, limit charging and cut power if it sees abnormal voltage, and the battery gets replaced if that happens. Look, an early Soul EV with reduced range and no battery paperwork is a parts car, not a bargain.

Title, history and price

Recalls will not show accidents, flood titles, odometer jumps or theft recovery. If a report shows a theft recovery, read our post on Kia and Hyundai theft recovery titles. Check open campaigns on our Kia recall check by VIN page. CARFAX says its reports pull title brands, odometer readings, ownership and reported accidents. Honestly, Souls are cheap enough that people skip the report. Do not. As of mid October 2026, a CARFAX report through us runs about $5.50 as a guest or about $4.50 as a member, and a CARFAX plus AutoCheck bundle is about $6.75, against roughly $39.99 to $44.99 at retail. Confirm at checkout. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, or Experian.

Sources

• Consumer Reports: Kia Soul
• Kia Media: Soul retirement release
• Car and Driver: Kia ends the Soul
• Car and Driver: 2017 Kia Soul
• Car and Driver: 2020 Kia Soul
• NHTSA: recall 19V-120 (1.6 GDI)
• NHTSA: recall 21V-259 (piston rings)
• NHTSA: recall 25V-099 (piston rings)
• NHTSA: recall 23V-218 (Soul EV battery)
• CARFAX: Vehicle History Reports