2023 Kia Soul

Other Systems

The 2023 Kia Soul has generated 6 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Honking function no longer works, this is a consistent problem noticed first on the beginning of December 2025, when I needed to notify another driver of a potential safety hazard. There is no honking sound available at any speed or at any time. Have an appointment with dealership this week.” (NHTSA Complaint #11707260)

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 Kia Soul have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 5 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Was driving and the pistons shot out of the engine. Oil in the coolant as well.” (NHTSA Complaint #11671382)

Exterior Lighting

The 2023 Kia Soul has generated 3 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “See attached document for complaint.” (NHTSA Complaint #11723841)

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Kia Soul include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 3 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Periodically while driving, I receive error notifications on the dashboard through both sound alerts and warning lights, resulting in the affected systems temporarily ceasing to function. The dashboard provides specific warnings: “check forward safety system,” “check lane safety system,” “check speed limit system,” “check high beam assist system,” and “check inattentive driving warning system.” These warnings cycle through with flashing lights and ongoing alert noises. While the issue sometimes resolves after the first or second warning, it often continues cycling through all of the previously described warnings before returning to normal. On some occasions, the warning lights remain on for an extended period, with the longest observed duration being 16 minutes. There are no observable patterns to the frequency or cause of the issue, although it is occurring at least once per day now; initially ~2x/week. It happens at any time of day or night and in any weather conditions. I’ve scheduled service for this issue 5 separate times. The first time, the dealership advised they did not have a fix and declined to take the car into the service department. The second time, the camera was replaced, but the issue persisted. The third time I took the car in for service, it was at the dealer for a week and I was advised the issue was part of the normal functioning of the car. The fourth time, the service techs did not make an effort to observe the problem and reported that the car was working as designed. The car is now in for service again. Each time I have scheduled service, I have provided them with a video of the problem. The continuous disabling of these safety features is not only distracting but also diminishes the value of the vehicle. I rely on these systems for my safety and purchased this vehicle specifically for these features. I am concerned that this ongoing issue may desensitize me to important warning signals and compromise the overall functionality of the car.” (NHTSA Complaint #11620494)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2023 Kia Soul have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 2 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Power train: Automatic transmission: Fluid/lubricant: Pump Replacement” (NHTSA Complaint #11586687)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Kia Soul

The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Kia Soul by the NHTSA or Kia. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Kia Soul:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Kia to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Kia must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Kia Soul qualifies as a lemon under California law, Kia may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Kia pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Kia willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Kia Soul Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Kia a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Kia dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Kia pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Kia a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Kia Soul Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Kia Soul as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Kia pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Kia is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Kia Soul?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.