2019 Kia Soul: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2019 Kia Soul: 1 recall, 136 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #22V031000 · 2022 · 410,619 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag control unit (acu) cover May contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage May result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Why it matters: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the acu, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (87): the most common themes are excess oil use (31), stalls / loses power (24), warning light on (22).
- Other / unknown (19): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
- Airbags (15): the most common themes are fails to deploy (5).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are warning light on (5), electrical failure (4), fire / smoke (3).
The 2019 Kia Soul has 136 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 16 Soul model years for complaints (well below the 347 average). Complaints peaked in 2025 (46 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2018 (218 complaints, 1 recalls), 2020 (384 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 31 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 31 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2019 Kia Soul.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2019 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2019 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2019 Kia Soul problems?
Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (87), other / unknown (19), airbags (15).
What gas mileage does the 2019 Kia Soul get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (AM7)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2019 Kia Soul repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.