FaultScore

KIA Soul headlight problems

258 of the 7,523 complaints filed about the KIA Soul are about the lighting — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.

258

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

8

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

2010 Soul 7 2.7%

Median failure at 10,300 miles

2011 Soul 13 5.0%

Median failure at 106,000 miles

2012 Soul 10 3.9%

Median failure at 17,000 miles

2013 Soul 11 4.3%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2014 Soul 130 50.4%

Median failure at 67,005 miles

2015 Soul 37 14.3%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2016 Soul 19 7.4%

Median failure at 52,080 miles

2017 Soul 1 0.4%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

2018 Soul 4 1.6%

Median failure at 30,250 miles

2019 Soul 5 1.9%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2020 Soul 6 2.3%

Median failure at 4,800 miles

2021 Soul 6 2.3%

Median failure at 814 miles

2023 Soul 3 1.2%
2024 Soul 2 0.8%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2025 Soul 4 1.6%

What owners said

2021 KIA Soul St Johns, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My 2021 Kia Soul has stalled unexpectedly while being driven on multiple occasions. When the vehicle stalls, the engine shuts off and the vehicle loses propulsion, creating a risk of a collision, particularly if it occurs in moving traffic. There have been no warning lights or messages before the vehicle stalls or when the stalling occurs. The vehicle has severe engine oil consumption. After approximately 3,000 miles, the oil level can become so low that no oil is visible on the dipstick. I do not know whether the excessive oil consumption is causing the stalling, but I believe that to be the reason. I previously brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership while it was under warranty because of the oil-consumption problem. The dealership told me that the vehicle was probably leaking oil, that a part needed to be ordered, and that they would contact me when the part arrived. They never contacted me, and the problem was not resolved. I have since reported the repeated stalling and excessive oil consumption to Kia corporate. Kia instructed me to return the vehicle to the dealership for additional testing. I told Kia that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle approximately 40 minutes to the dealership because it has repeatedly stalled while being driven. I asked whether Kia would tow the vehicle, but Kia would not commit to providing a tow. I also asked Kia to put in writing its instruction that I should drive the vehicle to the dealership despite the reported stalling, and Kia declined. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The cause of the repeated stalling is most likely due to burning of excessive oil. I am concerned about an unexpected loss of propulsion occurring again while the vehicle is in traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11756001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Rutland, VT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Nothing happened - YET. I'm reporting a manufacturing error. Refer to my upload. I wouldn't be suprised that this defect has been the root cause of some accidents though.

NHTSA complaint #11746339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 KIA Soul San Francisco, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When I turn my steering wheel left or right there is a very large margin before the tires turn it rattles back and forth back and forth as I'm driving down the street no control for at least three degrees and either direction, also my front of the vehicle turn signals pop out and fall out to the road and I would drive with no turn signals on the front of my vehicle?

NHTSA complaint #11744927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 KIA Soul Plano, TX Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My KIA Soul 2018 caught on file while driving. The whole engine was in flames. I didn't want to die because my car has a manufacturing issue that KIA was not aware about. The dealership I've purchased the car from denied to give me a copy of the mechanical inspection done at the dealership Stonebriar Chevrolet in Frisco, TX. The flames started under the car and made its way to the engine, smoke was coming from the AC vents. People were able to put the fire down before it got to the gas tank. Due to the seriousness of the damage, the car stopped working and we left it on the side of the road.

NHTSA complaint #11730985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 KIA Soul at 5,000 miles Statesville, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night, the low beam headlights were very dim. The headlight control was set to automatic, but the dimness of the headlights was the same as when switched to manual control. The failure was not as noticeable while using the high beam headlights. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed to properly illuminate in low-light areas. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA complaint #11724073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA Soul Yardley, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11723841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Soul Ocala, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Low beam headlights so dim is impossible to drive at night.

NHTSA complaint #11722928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA Soul at 73,000 miles Blackshear, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while making a right turn, the right turn signal blinked extremely fast. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the left turn signal blinked normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #11717902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Soul Old Hickory, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 incidents driving in a not familiar area...Almost drove off the road in very dark conditions at a light because I couldn't see that my road had ended .I was almost side swiped trying to get back on the road the last second.Iwas not taking any meds abd Don't drink Also drive at night on well lit highways.Also the lights are so dim that my road assist features did not activate on dark rainy roads where it could not see road markings

NHTSA complaint #11707067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul Rockwall, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlamp Multi-Function Switch Service Campaign Hazwewdiouse may cause colition or vision impairment. from ongoing traffic and or insufficient illumination While driving lights will flicker, causing drivers to high beam you, it does not matter if the high beams are on or not, the light will randomly flicker and turn off, very dangerous in southern and eastern areas, there is limited to no street/road Lights It has been noted that For some 2014 Kia Soul models, Kia issued a warranty extension and a service bulletin (SC330) to address intermittent flickering of the low/high beams. This is caused by wear on the contact points inside the multi-function switch, which controls the headlights and turn signals. Kia has extended the warranty on this specific component from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/unlimited mileage from the date of the vehicle's first service. If your headlights are flickering, you can have a Kia dealer diagnose and replace the switch at no cost to you under this warranty extension. This malfunction is not just happening to the specific year, Component: Headlamp Multi-Function Switch Problem Description: The vehicle's headlights and/or high beams intermittently flicker and turn off while driving. This is a severe safety hazard, as it causes momentary vision impairment and can lead to a collision. Hazardous Condition: The flickering and sudden deactivation of the headlights cause temporary blindness for the driver and can lead to a loss of control or a collision. The erratic light behavior causes a "high-beam" effect on oncoming traffic, causing other drivers to react by flashing their high beams in an unprovoked manner. This issue is extremely dangerous in areas with limited or no streetlights, where visibility is already compromised. History: I have experienced this issue on multiple occasions. I am aware that Kia has issued a service campaign (SC330) for certain Kia Soul models regarding this issue, but my vehicle is not included in

NHTSA complaint #11693181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA Soul Spring Hill, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights seem to flicker off and on while using turn signals. Dash lights will brighten during the incident as well.

NHTSA complaint #11691926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 KIA Soul San Juan, PR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

There is water filtration in the upper stop lamp. This happens while driving under heavy raining conditions.

NHTSA complaint #11689719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul Zebulon, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When I signal a lane change, the lights flicker or turn off completely. Happens often.

NHTSA complaint #11685149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul Zebulon, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When using the blinker, the headlights turn off completely or temporarily. I’ve seen this as a normal thing on Reddit and other sites

NHTSA complaint #11678659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Soul Bella Vista, AR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights when on dim are inadequate. You can not see the road. You can not drive with your lights on bright in traffic. Severe hazard to all. Near miss on animals and road damage. Very frightening.

NHTSA complaint #11677971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA Soul Houston, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Flickering lights on off while driving at night turn signal triggers it and does it randomly

NHTSA complaint #11673102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Soul Ciales, PR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Humidity gets insiste headlights. This issue affects headlights performance making hard to see at night. Safety is at risk.

NHTSA complaint #11673048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA Soul Oklahoma City, OK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My headlights turn off when I use my blinkers. They also flicker sometimes.

NHTSA complaint #11648970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA Soul Chester, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

I leave for work early in the morning and several times the lights would start blinking and go out. The lights would come back on after blinking again. There were no warning signs and it makes me scared to drive the car. I took the car to a mechanic who told me he checked the recall list. My state does not require an inspection and I have not talked to my insurance company cause I need to and want to hear from KIA. A coworker told me he think it could be in the turn signal. I just need KIA to check my car for a recall or maybe try to check it for a defect.

NHTSA complaint #11642047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Soul Sacramento, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Less than 24 hours after being purchased as a Kia factory certified pre-owned vehicle my daughter was driving. While driving headlights, wipers, and dash lights went out including infotainment/CarPlay map display on a rainy day. California requires headlights be on when wipers are used. Occurred while doing approximately 25 mph after going over a speed bump. When stopped and key was turned to ACC, they came back on. Issue did not return when vehicle was started again. Dealer has said they can find not fault. We have located threads for this issue with other Kia models on [XXX] . One common factor is they are key start, not push start models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11641511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA Soul problems