MODEL
Kia Soul Ev
NHTSA safety across every Kia Soul Ev model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Kia Soul Ev we cover (2019 to 2019), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 3 recalls have been issued across those years.
The 2019 Kia Soul EV is the all-electric variant of Kia's distinctive boxy subcompact crossover, slotting into the growing affordable EV segment. Aimed at urban commuters and eco-conscious buyers who want a practical, personality-driven hatchback without a gasoline engine, it pairs the Soul's familiar quirky packaging with a battery-electric powertrain for zero-tailpipe-emission daily driving.
From a safety standpoint, the 2019 Kia Soul EV presents a mixed picture that shoppers deserve to examine carefully. NHTSA did not conduct crash testing on this model year, which means there are no federal star ratings to lean on. That absence of independent crash-test data is a real gap, and buyers cannot fill it with assumptions borrowed from the gasoline Soul's results. What we do have is complaint and recall data, and it tells a story worth reading. Across the 2019 model year, NHTSA logged 132 owner complaints, a number that is notable for a single model year of a relatively low-volume EV. Within those unverified allegations, 13 involve crashes, 8 involve fire, and 14 describe injuries. The fire-related complaints deserve particular attention given the known industry-wide scrutiny of battery pack integrity in first-generation affordable EVs. Three recalls were also issued against this model year, adding to the cautionary picture. None of this means the 2019 Soul EV is inherently unsafe, but the combination of no crash-test data, a meaningful complaint volume, and a handful of fire-related allegations means a prospective buyer should check NHTSA's database directly, verify whether all three recalls have been completed on any specific vehicle, and ask pointed questions before purchasing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally find the 2019 Kia Soul EV charming and well-suited to city driving, praising its upright, spacious cabin and user-friendly technology layout. Most note that its driving dynamics are smooth and composed at everyday speeds. Some reviewers flag the interior materials as modest for the segment, and a few point to the limited range as a practical constraint for buyers outside urban environments.
- NHTSA did not crash-test the 2019 Kia Soul EV, so there are no federal star ratings available for this model year. Shoppers cannot assume safety scores from other Soul variants apply here.
- Eight of the 132 owner complaints on file with NHTSA involve fire allegations. While these are unverified, fire-related complaints in any battery-electric vehicle warrant a careful review of the vehicle's battery and charging history before purchase.
- Three recalls were issued against the 2019 Soul EV. Confirm with a Kia dealer or through NHTSA's VIN lookup tool that all open recalls have been properly completed on any specific vehicle you are considering.
- With 13 crash-related and 14 injury-related complaints logged for a single model year of a relatively low-volume vehicle, the complaint rate is elevated. Cross-reference the specific complaint categories on NHTSA's website to understand which vehicle systems are most frequently cited.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Kia Soul Ev with 3 recalls.