NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2025 Kia Soul Safety Ratings
The 2025 Kia Soul scores 85 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 0 recalls, and 11 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2025 Kia Soul arrives with no recalls on file, a notable start for any new model year. Its overall NHTSA rating of four out of five stars contributes to a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, placing it in the Strong safety band. Owner complaints remain low; eleven unverified reports have been filed, but these do not establish a pattern of defect.
The 2025 Kia Soul SUV FWD received a four-star overall crash-test rating and a five-star side-crash rating from NHTSA, with a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100 derived exclusively from NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 153 SUVs from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Kia Soul ranks 114 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 85 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 11 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 114 of 153 SUVs tested for 2025 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Kia Soul?
A defect record sub-score of 18.75 out of 20, derived from a complete absence of recall campaigns, stands as the most notable safety characteristic for the 2025 Kia Soul. This near-perfect defect performance contributes significantly to the model's 85/100 Safety Index, placing it in the Strong band, consistent with the preceding 2024 model. Crash protection for the 2025 Soul results in a sub-score of 61 out of 70. This reflects the vehicle's four-star overall NHTSA rating. A five-star side crash result is a strong point, while frontal and rollover tests each earned four stars. The rollover risk is assessed at 15 percent, with a no-tip dynamic result providing additional context to the star rating. The avoidance technology sub-score, at 5 out of 10, indicates the primary area for potential safety enhancement. While electronic stability control and lane departure warning are standard, forward collision warning is listed as both standard and optional depending on trim. Eleven owner complaints have been registered for the 2025 Soul. While a low absolute number, the concentration of these reports concerning exterior lighting and active-safety systems, specifically lane departure and forward collision avoidance, suggests a pattern that warrants continued observation.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Kia Soul perform in crash tests?
The 2025 Kia Soul achieved the highest possible score in side-impact protection from NHTSA. This strong performance in side-crash testing stands out, complementing its four-star ratings for overall safety, frontal protection, and rollover resistance. The vehicle demonstrated a 15 percent rollover risk in testing, with a dynamic no-tip result. All federal crash-test categories for the 2025 Soul are rated and complete.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20717
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Kia Soul have any recalls?
The 2025 Kia Soul carries zero NHTSA recall campaigns on file. No components have been flagged, and no park-outside or do-not-drive advisory applies to this model year. Shoppers should still run a VIN check through NHTSA's recall database, because campaigns can be issued at any time after a vehicle reaches the market.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Kia Soul?
Eleven unverified consumer allegations have been submitted to NHTSA for the 2025 Soul. The most frequently cited components are Exterior Lighting with four reports, followed by Lane Departure, Forward Collision Avoidance, Service Brakes, and Unknown Or Other, each with two alleged reports. These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
11 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Kia Soul?
Prospective owners of a 2025 Kia Soul should ensure no recalls have been issued since publication of this review, as the model currently shows a clean record with zero recalls. Should any recall campaigns emerge, buyers must confirm that all necessary repairs have been performed by an authorized Kia dealership prior to purchase.
- The 2025 Kia Soul is the only recent Soul model year with zero NHTSA recall campaigns on file, giving it a near-perfect defect-record sub-score of 18.75 out of 20 within the Safety Index.
- The five-star NHTSA side-crash rating is the strongest individual score this model year earned, contrasting with four-star results in frontal and rollover categories and a 15 percent rollover risk figure.
- Eleven unverified NHTSA complaints have been filed for this model year, with exterior lighting the most alleged problem component at four reports, followed by lane departure and forward collision avoidance systems at two reports each.
- The 2025 Safety Index of 85 is unchanged from the 2024 figure, indicating no measurable shift in the federal safety profile between the two model years based on the data currently available.
RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Kia Soul places
The 2025 Kia Soul qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2025 Kia Soul safety questions
Was the 2025 Kia Soul crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Kia Soul, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2025 Kia Soul crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2025 Kia Soul earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 14.7%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Soul have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 Kia Soul as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2025 Kia Soul?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 11 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Kia Soul. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Soul years
Rivals in SUV (2025)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Lexus Rz 300e | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Tesla Model X | 96/100 | not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Acura ADX | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20717), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Soul 2025.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 114 of 153 in the SUV class for 2025.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.