Kia Soul PS
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Soul (PS) is the grown-up second generation: same boxy silhouette, but a markedly stiffer body, more sound deadening and cleaner build quality. A practical daily with crossover looks and no real off-road pretension.
For engines, the G4FD 1.6 GDi with 132 hp is the common petrol — direct injection, eager on the throttle, but like all GDi units prone to intake-valve carbon build-up; budget for occasional cleaning. The D4FB 1.6 CRDi with 128 hp remains the strong, frugal long-haul diesel. Notable is the KIA-SOUL-EV with 110 hp: a solid early EV with honest but short range — short trips only.
Recurring themes: the rear control-arm bushings wear out and thump over expansion joints. Take the fire recalls seriously — HECU 23V-652 (ABS module) and engine-bay fires 20V-750, both VIN-checkable. The tricky one is the Nu/Gamma engine-failure class action from the US: affected GDi motors can develop bearing damage; listen for engine noise and watch oil consumption.
Test drive: listen for rear thumping over cobbles, check for engine knock/ticking at idle and under load, inspect oil level and service history, and clear both recalls.
Market 2026: PS petrols from 2016–2018 usually sit under $15,000, well-kept ones around $11,000–14,000. Early Soul EVs start near $12,000–15,000.
Insider pick: a G4FD petrol with documented clean engine running and the fire recalls done — the most hassle-free route into a PS.
110 PS
EV 30 kWh · Elektro
Early electric pioneer with character
Decent129–135 PS
1.6L GDi (Gamma) Benzin
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Kia Soul PS is available with 3 engine variants — from 90 to 204 hp.
Common four-cylinder diesel with common-rail injection and a particulate filter, refined and economical on the open road. On short trips the DPF can't regenerate freely — it soots up over time, so longer drives and the correct oil grade matter. The EGR valve likes to coke up and should be checked on power loss; test the injectors' return quantities at high mileage. Timing runs on a toothed belt, keep the interval. Driven properly with oil changes every 15,000 km, it's a long-lived, torquey diesel.
- !! Timing chain stretches and skips from 100,000 km
On the D4FB premature chain stretch is well known, especially on early models up to approx. 2012. At the 80,000 km service on the Ceed ED the chain was routinely checked and replaced if necessary.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, fault code P0016 (cam/crank not synchronised), in the worst case engine damage from chain skip - !! EGR valve blocked by soot deposits from 80,000 km
The D4FB's EGR valve tends to stick shut from soot deposits in short-trip use. A faulty EGR solenoid is easy to identify: switching on the air conditioning forces the valve closed and makes the judder disappear.
Symptoms: Judder and hesitation under partial load, elevated emissions, engine warning light, power loss in city driving - !! DPF blockage in short-trip use from 120,000 km
The D4FB's diesel particulate filter never reaches its regeneration temperature in pure urban driving. Frequent short trips prevent active regeneration and cause blockage. Filter replacement costs approx. €1,000–3,000.
Symptoms: DPF warning illuminated, power loss, increased fuel consumption, engine revving during forced regeneration
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Direct-injection four-cylinder with good power output and willing revving. Because of the GDI design it tends to build intake-valve deposits from around 80,000 to 120,000 km — periodic walnut-blasting or additive cleaning keeps throttle response crisp. Chain-driven, but neglected oil can stretch the chain; a rattle on cold start is the warning sign. Keep an eye on oil consumption and use only approved oil. Overall robust, provided servicing and oil quality are right.
- !! High-pressure fuel pump failed from 100,000 km
The high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) can wear or fail prematurely. If fuel pressure drops, starting behaviour deteriorates severely; on total failure no start is possible.
Symptoms: Long cranking, engine barely starts, engine stalls at low rpm, fault code P0087 (fuel pressure too low) - !! High oil consumption from piston rings from 90,000 km
Worn or brittle oil control rings cause high oil consumption, sometimes over 1 litre per 1,500 km. In the US a recall and class settlement with KSDS software addressed this.
Symptoms: Rapidly dropping oil level, blue smoke, oil smell, cold-start knocking, flickering oil pressure light. - !! Timing chain stretch from 120,000 km
The timing chain can stretch from medium mileage onward; in rare cases it jumps and valves meet pistons. Replacement is often needed between 100,000 and 150,000 km.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start, check engine light, rough running, engine damage in extreme cases.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Compact electric motor in two generations with battery capacity growing over the model years, from the early version with short range to the later one with significantly larger storage. Simple, robust technology without a timing chain or oil change, very low-maintenance in daily use. Regeneration relieves the brakes, which therefore last a long time. Early batteries show noticeable degradation over the years, so when buying used it is essential to measure the state of health (SoH) by diagnostics and compare it with the rated capacity. Range is markedly lower in winter and at motorway speeds. The 12-volt battery is a frequent failure point and causes starting problems — check its condition and charging history, and verify the software level.
- !! Severe battery degradation on early models from 100,000 km
Early Soul EVs with the 27 and 30 kWh SK Innovation battery have only passive air cooling. In warm climates the cells degrade above average and range drops sharply. Cases below 70 percent remaining capacity are documented; warranty claims were sometimes rejected.
Symptoms: Markedly reduced range, low SOH reading, power limitation, gauge dropping faster in heat. - !! High-voltage battery fire risk, BMS recall
On Soul EVs with the E400 battery, a short circuit between anode and cathode caused by excessive precipitate in the cells can trigger a fire. The recall (NHTSA 23V218) installs a BMS update that detects abnormal cell voltage; if flagged, the battery is replaced free of charge.
Symptoms: Incomplete charging, fluctuating range, EV warning light; in rare cases smoke or popping noises from the battery area. - !! On-board charger failure
The Soul EV's on-board charger fails due to local overheating of power components, sometimes after a blown 40-amp fuse or alongside a failing coolant pump. Kia replaces the on-board charger under fault codes P1CF5 or P1CF6. Repeat failures one after another are documented.
Symptoms: Repeated clicking under the hood after plugging in, charging starts briefly then stops, no AC charge despite a working station.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear control arm bushings wear prematurely The rear control arm bushings on the Soul PS are known for premature wear. The complete torsion beam must be removed for replacement as the bushings cannot be pressed individually. Often already from 100,000 km. Symptoms: Knocking and banging from the rear over uneven surfaces, especially when pulling away and braking. Uneven rear tyre wear. from 100,000 km | Low | |
| Strut mount and bearing clunk The upper strut mount with its integrated bearing and rubber pad wears and causes clunking and creaking when steering. The strut dust cover can also slip off the mount and rattle on the piston rod. Kia has a TSB on this. Replace mounts in pairs with the bearing. Symptoms: Clunk or crunch when steering at standstill and low speed, dull thudding over bumps, squeak when turning in. from 90,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Ford Fiesta HJ
Supermini (2017–2023)
Nissan Micra K14
Supermini (2017–2023)
Seat Ibiza KJ
Supermini (2017–2026)
Suzuki Swift VI
Supermini (2017–2020)
VW Polo VI (AW)
Supermini (2017–2026)
Citroën C3 III
Supermini (2016–2024)
Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 30 weaknesses have been documented for the Kia Soul PS (2014–2019) — 17 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. One problem engine: G4FD (1.6L GDi (Gamma)). Typical issues affect Suspension, Interior, HVAC, Rust.
Soul (D4FB, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretches and skips, EGR valve blocked by soot deposits, DPF blockage in short-trip use. Power: 128 PS.
Soul (G4FD, 2014–2019) — Stay Away!: High-pressure fuel pump failed, High oil consumption from piston rings, Timing chain stretch. Power: 129–132 PS.
Soul (KIA-SOUL-EV, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: Severe battery degradation on early models, High-voltage battery fire risk, BMS recall, On-board charger failure. Power: 110 PS.
What to watch out for with the Kia Soul? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Kia Soul PS have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Kia Soul PS? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Kia Soul PS engine is the most fun? +
Is the Kia Soul PS worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Kia Soul PS? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee