Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (68.7% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 6.5× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 545 · 68.7% | Recalled | Recall 19V120000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 79 · 10% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 64 · 8.1% | Recalled | Recall 19V120000 |
| Power Train | 60 · 7.6% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 54 · 6.8% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor | 39 · 4.9% | Recalled | Recall 19V120000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 793 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V120000 · 2019 · reported 02/22/2019
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V608000 · 2017 · reported 09/29/2017
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 11296648 — filed 01/02/2020 · ENGINE
“THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS I ACCELERATED, THE KNOCKING…”NHTSA complaint 11290673 — filed 12/22/2019 · ENGINE
“IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN VEHICLE MADE A KIND OF CRACKLING NOISE AND FELT A SLIGHT SPUTTERING LIKE IT WAS GOING…”NHTSA complaint 11290049 — filed 12/19/2019 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 545 of 793 NHTSA complaints (68.7%), followed by unspecified/other issues (116), fuel/propulsion system (79), engine and engine cooling (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
793 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 28 involved a crash, 34 involved a fire, and 24 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V120000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
