2017 Kia Soul electrical problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Electrical problems plague this generation of Soul: uncontrolled acceleration paired with brake failure, doors that unlock while driving, fires in the rear and engine bay, widespread sensor and computer failures. Several owners report being denied warranty coverage for known defects, and the vehicle can become undrivable with multiple warning lights, failed cameras, and limp-mode conditions.
These narratives document a pattern of serious electrical and engine-control failures in 2017 Kia Souls. Most alarming is the uncontrolled acceleration with simultaneous brake failure at a traffic light—the vehicle veered left across lanes and spun multiple times before hitting a median, a collision the owner only survived by luck. Owners also report doors that open while the vehicle is moving despite being locked; the dealer confirmed this is by design, with the handle override engaging at any speed.
Starter failures occur prematurely in cold weather, with the manufacturer allegedly aware of the defect but refusing warranty repair. ECM/PCU failures are documented as common in this model year, causing emission-system malfunction and entering a logic-lock state that prevents error codes from clearing—dealerships are denying warranty coverage by claiming pass-status after unrepaired vehicles somehow pass inspections.
Two separate fire incidents are reported: one in the rear taillights from electrical failure at 63,000 miles, another in the engine compartment after dealership service. Multiple owners describe cascading electrical warnings—airbag, ABS, brake, and check engine lights illuminating together—paired with loss of speedometer function and power-steering assist. One owner's engine threw a rod shortly after warranty expiration. Backup cameras fail intermittently, limp-mode conditions disable highway acceleration, and one vehicle entered a 2 RPM fail-safe mode after 30 miles of driving.
Same Kia Soul electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Uncontrolled acceleration and brake failure
Engine raced and vehicle veered left at traffic light; brakes failed to respond despite driver applying them. Vehicle became completely uncontrollable, traveled across lanes, hit median multiple times, and spun 360 and 180 degrees before coming to rest.
When: At low speed (15-20 mph) during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine sudden rapid acceleration; Vehicle veering left without input; Complete brake failure despite pedal application; Loss of steering control except minor steering response
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; no repairs noted in narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Consumer affairs case open with manufacturer; manufacturer aware but no action reported
Door latch/lock failure—doors open while vehicle in motion
Driver door and front passenger door open easily while vehicle is moving when handle is pulled, even with doors locked. Dealer confirmed feature overrides lock when handle is grasped, with minimal pull required. Door flew open during driveway turn. Occurred at speeds from idle to 20 mph and higher.
When: Occurs while vehicle in motion at any speed when handle engaged
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens while vehicle moving despite lock engaged; Minimal handle pressure required to release latch; Door opened prematurely during low-speed driving; Door flew open during driveway turn
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated this is normal design behavior; no repair offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealer confirmed as normal feature; Kia stated owner cannot disable function
Starter failure—no-start condition
Starter failed without warning at less than 25,000 miles in extreme cold (13 degrees below zero). Vehicle would not crank; dash lights confirmed starter malfunction. Dealership confirmed manufacturer aware of problem with these specific starters but refuses warranty coverage due to cost.
When: At 25,000 miles or less; occurred in January winter conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Complete failure to start; No warning prior to failure; Engine will not crank
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement required; cost not stated. Roadside assistance towed vehicle 2 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of starter defect in specific units but refuses warranty repair due to cost
ECM/PCM failure—logic lock and emission control malfunction
ECM entered logic lock state preventing fuel injection and evap system from functioning. Vehicle failed emission inspection twice for 'fuel not completed' and 'evap not completed.' Dealership confirmed bad ECM is common problem with 2017 Kia Soul; older model years have recalls but 2017 owner was denied. ECM kept in logic-lock state and would not reset; error codes would not clear even after battery pull.
When: At 70,000 miles (within 8-year/80,000-mile ECM warranty coverage)
Symptoms owners cite: Failed emission inspection—fuel system not ready; Failed emission inspection—evap system not ready; ECM in logic lock state; Error codes will not clear even after battery disconnect; OBD system unable to update with new errors
Codes mentioned: Logic lock with ECM/PCU
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership ordered new ECM after 17-day diagnosis delay; customer obtained emission waiver from DPS. Vehicle passed inspection without actual repair. Dealership refused ECM replacement because vehicle passed inspection without fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of defect (older model-year recalls exist); warranty coverage refused on this vehicle; dealership refused to honor warranty and delayed parts to avoid repair
Driver door latch failure—door will not remain closed
Driver-side front door fails to latch completely when closed from inside. Door opens with light push and no door handle use, allowing door to swing open while vehicle in motion. Risk of accidental ejection from vehicle.
When: Discovered upon exiting vehicle; occurs at any speed when vehicle in motion
Symptoms owners cite: Door does not fully latch when closed; Door opens with slight arm push without using handle; Door remains unlatched after closing from inside
Oil and battery warning lights with engine stall and rod knock
At traffic light, oil and battery warning lights illuminated simultaneously without warning and engine stalled. Vehicle would not accelerate; loud knocking noise from driver side engine compartment. Vehicle traveled 100 feet before shutting off permanently. Diagnosis: thrown rod requiring engine replacement.
When: At idle during normal city driving; less than one year of ownership; within warranty period by time but warranty had just expired by few hundred miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil warning light comes on; Battery warning light comes on simultaneously; Engine stalls without warning; Vehicle will not accelerate; Loud knocking noise from driver side engine
Codes mentioned: No check engine light present
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; cost approximately $8,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty expired by few hundred miles; no manufacturer assistance offered
Multiple electrical sensor failures—airbag, ABS, brake lights
Airbag, ABS, and brake warning lights all illuminated simultaneously on cold start. Speedometer malfunction during cold start. Dealership claimed recall did not apply to airbag and quoted $1,000 for light repairs, referencing multiple sensor failures. Owner suspects dealership used recall opportunity to push unnecessary repairs.
When: Cold start conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light; ABS warning light; Brake warning light; Speedometer erratic behavior on cold start
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $1,000 for light repairs related to multiple sensor failures; owner declined repairs citing unnecessary add-ons
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for airbag (electrical problems); dealership stated specific vehicle airbag not covered by recall
Ignition coil failure and spark plug issues
Ignition coil failed approximately one month after purchase. Owner also requested spark plug inspection and replacement during same service. Vehicle also requiring repeated oil changes (three in five months) suggesting ongoing internal engine issues.
When: One month after purchase; subsequent issues at 5 months ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire or starting difficulty; Repeated oil consumption requiring changes every 1-2 months
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil replacement cost $802.17; subsequent O-2 sensor replacement approximately $460; possible manifold and catalytic converter replacement quoted at $4,200
Electrical fire in rear taillights
Vehicle caught fire in rear end while parked and owner asleep. Fire department confirmed cause as electrical wiring failure in rear taillights. Fire was extinguished by fire department; no injuries. Police report filed.
When: At 63,000 miles while vehicle parked overnight
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from rear of vehicle; Fire visible in rear end
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle damaged by fire; not yet inspected or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case filed; no action reported
Multiple warning lights with loss of speedometer and power steering
After recall repair (22V031000), vehicle randomly displays tire pressure, traction control, ABS, brake failure, check engine, and power steering warnings. Speedometer and tachometer cease functioning; power steering assistance disabled. Dealership service manager states vehicle is safe to drive in this condition despite warnings.
When: After recall repair completion; occurs randomly
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning; Traction control warning; ABS brake failure warning; Check engine light; Power steering warning; Speedometer inoperative; Tachometer inoperative; Power steering assistance disabled
Codes mentioned: 22V031000 related
Repairs/costs cited: Awaiting parts; no resolution after two service attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V031000 issued but repair did not resolve issues
Intermittent no-start condition
Vehicle failed to start on several occasions; failure was intermittent. Taken to dealership twice; mechanics unable to duplicate failure. Vehicle was not repaired.
When: Multiple occasions at 93,705 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start intermittently; No warning lights or other indicators mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose; no repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Blind Spot Detection system failure
Blind Spot Detection feature displays failure message and becomes inoperative. Cause not yet determined at time of complaint.
When: At 11,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 'Blind Spot Detection' failure message displayed; Feature becomes inoperable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer and dealer not yet notified at time of complaint filing
Engine compartment fire
Vehicle caught fire while parked idle in driveway after multiple recent dealership services. Fire occurred in front engine compartment just behind latch mechanism. Fire extinguished by fire department. Vehicle parked near other vehicles and townhouses, creating risk to surrounding property.
When: While parked idle in driveway after dealership service
Symptoms owners cite: Fire visible in engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Fire extinguished by fire department; vehicle damaged
Rear camera failure—stays on while driving forward
Backup camera display remains on and active while vehicle is driving forward instead of showing normal forward display. Has occurred approximately five times over one year of driving 7,000 miles. Requires parking vehicle, shifting to park, then driving again to reset camera display; sometimes requires multiple reset cycles.
When: Intermittently over one-year period; approximately 5 occurrences in 7,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear camera view displayed while driving forward; Normal forward display does not show; Camera will not switch off during forward driving
Repairs/costs cited: Requires manual reset by shifting to park and back to drive
Check engine light with severe limp mode at highway speeds
Check engine light blinks after driving over 30 miles. Vehicle enters severe limp mode, reducing engine speed to approximately 2 RPM, making vehicle undrivable on highway. Owner reports two other 2017 Kia Soul owners experiencing identical problem.
When: After 30+ miles of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light blinks; Engine speed reduces to approximately 2 RPM; Vehicle severely underpowered and unsafe at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Camshaft position sensor failure
Owner receiving diagnostic code for camshaft sensor bank 1 sensor A. Owner notes Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) may exist for this specific issue on 2017 Kia Soul.
Symptoms owners cite: Camshaft position sensor fault detected
Codes mentioned: P0010 or similar—camshaft sensor bank 1 sensor A
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletins may exist for this issue; owner seeking information
Hesitation and slow acceleration on highway merge
Vehicle hesitates and accelerates very slowly when entering freeway and merging into traffic. With gas pedal pressed to floor, vehicle cannot reach safe merge speed for 2-3 minutes. Causes other vehicles to brake hard or change lanes to avoid collision. Owner has stopped driving on freeway due to this hazard.
When: During highway on-ramp acceleration and merging
Symptoms owners cite: Significant hesitation on acceleration; Slow acceleration response despite full throttle; Inability to reach safe merge speed for 2-3 minutes
Backup camera intermittent failure
Backup camera fails to engage approximately 25% of the time when reversing. Owner must rely solely on mirrors when camera is inoperative. Failures occur from complete stop up to 50 mph (reverse speed).
When: Intermittently; affects about 1 in 4 reversing attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera does not display when reversing; Camera fails across range of speeds from 0-50 mph reverse
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2017 Kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 49,661 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.