Selling a dead or junk Kia Soul

So if your Soul has a knocking, smoking or seized engine, you have plenty of company. You can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The Soul's problems by generation

Soul figures are owner reports that NHTSA had on record on October 10, 2026. A 2023 Soul has been out just a few years, while a 2013 has had over ten. When a recall gives a vehicle total, it is for the full campaign, which sometimes takes in other Kias.

First generation, 2010-2013: air bags, then steering

Wikipedia lists a 1.6 Gamma (port or direct injection) and a 2.0 Beta II for the first Soul, with manual or 4- and 6-speed automatic gearboxes, built in Gwangju on the Hyundai-Kia PB platform, with the Rio listed as a related car. These four years have 1,507 complaints. The 2010 and 2011 lean toward air bags, brakes and wiring. By 2012 and 2013 the engine leads (184 and 242), and steering is right behind it (151 and 145).

Recall 14V822 secured headliner plates on 95,314 2010-2013 Souls with a sunroof, because a plate could come loose when the curtain air bag deploys. Recall 10V388 replaced wiring for the speaker lights on some 2010 Souls.

Second generation, 2014-2019: the engine and fire years

The second Soul offered a 1.6 Gamma II and a 2.0 Nu, and a 7-speed dual-clutch was among its gearboxes. These six years have 3,282 complaints. The engine is named in 514 of 904 on the 2014, 580 of 905 on the 2015 and 498 of 823 on the 2016. Complaints that mention a fire hit 69 on the 2014 and 84 on the 2015.

Wikipedia says that in 2018, reports linked a large number of fires to the Soul in the United States, and the Center for Auto Safety demanded a recall of every 2010-2015 Soul. Kia started a voluntary fire recall on January 11, 2019, but the Soul was not in it. A month later, NHTSA logged recall 19V120 for 2012-2016 Souls with the 1.6 GDI: high exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter, and dealers upgrade the engine computer's overheating protection. That campaign counts 378,967 vehicles, all Souls.

Other recalls on these years:

• 20V750: engine compartment fire on 2014-2015 Souls, in a 294,756-vehicle campaign with four other Kia lines.
• 17V608: the pinion plug may let the pinion gear separate from the steering gear on 2014-2016 Souls and Soul EVs. 342,381 vehicles.
• 15V123: part of the accelerator pedal may bend and break on 2014-2015 Souls.
• 22V096: front air bags may not deploy on 2014 Souls if the control unit loses contact with the impact sensors.
• Soul EV only: 23V218 for a battery pack that may short-circuit while driving on 2015-2019 cars with the E400 battery, and 20V389 and 23V724 for a parking mechanism that can be damaged.

Third generation, 2020-2025: piston rings

The last Soul ran from 2019 to 2025. After the facelift, Wikipedia says the 2.0 Nu with a CVT was the only US powertrain. These years have 804 complaints. The 2020 stands out: 383 complaints, 221 naming the engine, and 8 deaths reported.

Recall 21V259 covers 2020-2021 Souls and 2021 Seltos with 2.0 Nu engines. The piston oil rings in them may not have been heat treated the right way. A dealer inspects the engine and replaces it if it needs it. Recall 25V099 covers 2021-2023 Souls and Seltos for piston rings made incorrectly, and adds a noise-sensing software. The 2023 also has an oil pump recall (23V531, park outside) and a side curtain air bag recall (23V830).

Complaints and recalls by model year

One campaign can cover a number of model years, which is why the last column adds up to more than 18.

Fix your Soul or sell it?

1. Catalytic converter trouble on a 2012-2016 1.6 GDI? Ask a Kia dealer about 19V120. The bad catalytic converter guide explains the symptoms.
2. Knocking 2.0 on a 2020-2023? Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup for 21V259 and 25V099. Both remedies list engine replacement as necessary.
3. Soul EV that won't charge or drive? Check 23V218 first, then read EV battery failed.
4. No open recall? Get the repair cost on paper, then check what a working Soul from that year sells for. Blown engine covers how to weigh it.

Selling a Soul whole

1. Tell us gas or electric, and which transmission if you know it: manual, automatic, dual-clutch or CVT.
2. Say whether the engine was replaced under a recall, and whether it runs at all.
3. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008. Let us know if your Soul can roll, and if it's parked on the street, in a lot or in a driveway.
4. Don't strip the Soul. The catalytic converter, the wheels and an EV's battery pack should stay on. Mention any part that's already off.
5. When the driver arrives, show your photo ID and hand over the title. Plates and insurance are covered in after you sell.

Other Kias: the Forte, Rio and Niro, or every Kia.