2017 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 55owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $6,985median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
55 of the 120 reports of engine failure on the 2017 Soul describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (120 reports)
Tick what matches of 55 reports
Engine knock on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the rod bearing (10 reports), the engine (5 reports) and the knock sensor (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
What owners paid
13 of the 55 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,000 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 69,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 36 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2107Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2107) titled “Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement”.
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2107Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2107) titled "Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement".
NU 2.0L GDI KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2107) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), in order to protect the engine from ...
What owners wrote
“Engine Failed Mid Drive. Started with knocking sound then went into limp mode and then shut off and did not want to start. Car failed in the middle of traffic and could of injured me and others. I've read of other failures of the same models but for some reason the 2017 model isn't eligible for the settlement even though the same issues are present in the 2017 Kia Soul Models. Had to have my vehicle towed home.”
Filed Oct 8, 2025
“We had a computer flash done and it has not ran right since. Engine started knocking and almost caused and accident engine felt like it was locking up causing the car to lose control”
Filed Jan 18, 2023
“On the freeway the engine began knocking and died very shortly afterwards. Vehicle had been well maintained and there were no warning lights.”
Filed Jul 6, 2022
“Engine seized and the piston rod put a hole in the engine block, spilling out all the oil. There was no warning light illuminated before the incident. There were no knocking before the incident. Kia is refusing to replace the engine. Stating I did not take it in to get the safety recall campaign. However, I never received a notice about this.”
Filed Jun 6, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 55 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 60 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 51 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 38 reports