Kia Soul: common problems, APK failures and recalls
There are 4,655 Kia Soul cars registered in the Netherlands, first registered between 2008 and 2025.
In a sample of 390 cars, 41.8% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, less often than average (51.5% across all models).
The most common defect is tyre pressure incorrect (12.3% of inspected cars).
The RDW lists 11 recalls for this model; 5.1% of registered cars still have an open recall.
1.8% have an odometer reading the RDW marks as illogical, a sign of a rolled-back odometer.
Check a specific Kia Soul
Free: APK expiry, insurance, open recall and odometer verdict. The full report adds every APK inspection with its defects.
Most common APK defects
| Defect | Cars |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressure incorrect | 12.3% |
| Dipped beam incorrectly aimed | 7.9% |
| Wipers give insufficient visibility | 6.9% |
| Tyre tread depth insufficient | 6.9% |
| Tyre damaged | 5.1% |
| Number plate light not working (properly) / missing | 3.3% |
| Seatbelt damaged | 2.1% |
| Dipped/main beam not working (properly) | 1.8% |
| Rear fog light obscured | 1.3% |
| Tyre pressures on one axle unequal | 1.3% |
Share of 390 sampled cars (first registered 2012–2021) with this defect at an APK inspection since 2024. RDW Open Data: Geconstateerde Gebreken.
Common advisories
| Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm | 6.7% |
| Steering or kingpin ball joint wear up to 1.0 mm | 1.3% |
| Mechanical brake parts show wear | 1% |
Advisories are noted at the APK but are not a failure.
Fleet figures
| Registered in the Netherlands | 4,655 |
| Open recall (not yet fixed) | 5.1% |
| Illogical odometer reading | 1.8% |
| Used as a taxi | 1.7% |
| First registered | 2008 to 2025 |
All Kia Soul passenger cars in the RDW register, 2026-10-06.
Recalls
| Published | Component | Risk | Cars in NL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-11 | electrical system | – | 45,406 |
| 2024-05-14 | airbags, seat belts and occupant protection | – | 1 |
| 2023-12-20 | brakes | serious | 245 |
| 2023-12-15 | electrical system | serious | 127 |
| 2022-03-22 | airbags, seat belts and occupant protection | serious | 83 |
| 2022-03-22 | airbags, seat belts and occupant protection | serious | 0 |
| 2020-08-12 | brakes | – | 185 |
| 2019-01-08 | steering | serious | 0 |
| 2016-02-12 | steering | serious | 92 |
| 2014-04-28 | airbags, seat belts and occupant protection | – | 101 |
| 2013-05-21 | lights | – | 17,751 |
Recalls registered with the RDW for this model; not every recall applies to every car. Check a plate to see if one is open.
Questions
How often does the Kia Soul fail the APK?
In a sample of 390 cars first registered 2012–2021, 41.8% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, against 51.5% across all models.
What are common problems with the Kia Soul?
The most common APK defects are: tyre pressure incorrect (12.3%), dipped beam incorrectly aimed (7.9%), wipers give insufficient visibility (6.9%).
Does the Kia Soul have recalls?
Yes, the RDW lists 11 recalls. 5.1% of registered cars still have an open recall. Check a specific car by licence plate on factline.dev/vehicle.
Other Kia models
Picanto · Niro · Sportage · Rio · Ceed · Stonic · Venga · Cee · EV3 · EV6 · Xceed · Sorento · Proceed · Carens · EV5
Source: RDW Open Data (Gekentekende voertuigen, Geconstateerde Gebreken, Terugroepacties), CC0. Model grouping by Factline from RDW trade names. AI agents: factline.dev/llms.txt.