Kia Soul SK3
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Generations
Engine Overview
The Kia Soul SK3 is available with one engine variant at 110 hp.
Electric motor of the Soul EV in two generations with growing battery capacity. Simple and reliable technology — measure battery capacity with an SoH diagnostic when buying used.
No known weaknesses documented.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: electronic parking brake does not activate 39,606 Soul EV vehicles worldwide (including 11,760 in Germany) were recalled because the electric parking brake cannot be activated when the vehicle is ready to drive. The vehicle may roll unintentionally when the gear selector is in P. Symptoms: No direct driver warning; vehicle rolls away even though gear selector is in P; EPB warning light may illuminate. | Low | |
| Recall e-Soul: high-voltage battery — fire risk Kia recalled approx. 23,000 Soul EV because the battery management system (BMS) does not reliably detect short circuits in the high-voltage battery. A short circuit between anode and cathode can cause a thermal event (fire). Symptoms: No visible symptom for the driver; BMS warning light may appear; battery diagnostics show fault. | Low | |
| Recall 21V259: piston rings — engine failure and fire risk NHTSA recall 21V259000 for Soul 2020–2021 with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine: piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, causing engine damage, oil leaks onto hot exhaust components, and fire risk. Kia inspects and replaces engines as needed, free of charge. Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PRNS) software is also deployed. Symptoms: Knocking noise from the engine, oil pressure warning light, engine stalls while driving, burning smell. | ||
| Theft epidemic: missing immobilizer — 'Kia Boys' TikTok vulnerability Kia Soul 2019–2021 without an electronic immobilizer became the primary target of the US-wide 'Kia Boys' TikTok theft wave — vehicles can be stolen in under 60 seconds without a key. Kia offered free anti-theft software updates that activate a theft deterrent alarm but do not provide a true engine immobilizer. A class action lawsuit was filed over the missing immobilizer. Symptoms: Vehicle stolen without forced entry; no alarm on unauthorized access; steering lock can be bypassed with a USB cable. |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 7 weaknesses have been documented for the Kia Soul SK3 (2019–2024). Typical issues affect Other, Brakes, Electronics.
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 SK3 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Kia Soul SK3? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Kia Soul SK3 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Kia Soul SK3 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Kia Soul SK3? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee