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2019 Kia Soul Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Feb 15, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 134 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
10
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
12

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 Kia Soul submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2026
Crash reported

This vehicle was seriously damaged in a crash. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was totaled. Another vehicle went through red light and crashed into my car.

NHTSA ID
11718103
Incident
Feb 12, 2026
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Nov 25, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle stopped in front of the contact’s vehicle and the brake pedal was depressed to attempt to avoid a crash; however, the vehicle skidded and crashed into the rear of the other vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. During the crash the front end and the hood of the vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. Additionally, the seat belt malfunctioned and failed to secure the contact in the seat, causing the contact's chest and stomach to impact the steering wheel. The contact sustained a bruised chest and neck injury but had not yet sought medical treatment. The contact stated that an appointment was schedule to see her Primary Care Physician. The contact was unaware of any injuries to the other driver. A Police report was filed at the scene but was not available. The vehicle was towed away from the scene. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11701523
Incident
Nov 23, 2025
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 7, 2025
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I was in a collision while stopped at a red light. Other vehicle impacted the entire drive’s side including back passenger rotating the vehicle over 90 degrees and pushing vehicle about 25 yards out into the intersection. The airbags didn’t deploy and experienced head, neck, and back injuries.

NHTSA ID
11691975
Incident
Jul 9, 2021
AirbagsEngine
Filed Feb 23, 2025

My engine through a rod on approximately 9/26/24. I had it towed to Garden Grove Kia. They said they needed to contact Kia Corporate to find out if my car was still under warranty. Corporate acknowledged that there was a recall for the rod bearing that could cause a fire (safety issue). I was also told that there was a class action lawsuit. Corporate informed me that I was notified by mail. Which never happened. And said that it would cost me $500 dollars for them to diagnostic. That my warranty expired at 60,000 miles! They also said had I got the update for that recall that it would have been covered. When I bought the Vehicle on 8/21/22 from Russell Westbrook Hyundai they reassured me that the 2019 Kia Soul had zero recalls. Any paperwork I received about this was given to me after the class action lawsuit. The dates to take action were already expired. I have tried to get my Kia diagnosed by several shops and they can't diagnosis because Kia is not complying with OBD2 readers. I have been told by several mechanics that Kia has there own diagnostic reader. According to the settlement I am entitled to have them diagnos my Kia at no cost to me.

NHTSA ID
11644333
Incident
Sep 26, 2024
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 31, 2024

Have been using 2-3 quarts of oil a week also lost power could not get it to run took it to the mechanic again he informed me the catalytic is going bad and as much oil as it is going through it might blow at any time

NHTSA ID
11633470
Incident
Nov 25, 2022
AirbagsEngine
Filed Feb 1, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

UNKNOWN Car accident in 2022 that impacted the front and driver side of the vehicle. Air bags did not deploy as it was a pretty bad accident. The light of the air bag would be on stating that it was not on and then go off completely in different situations. Never once did I receive a letters from the manufacturer stating the recall.

NHTSA ID
11569184
Incident
Feb 13, 2022
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 30, 2024
Fire reported

Engine failure fluid leek and wire burning smells engine burst into flames from the under carriage of the engine. The contact wants to see if there are any recalls and if so should the car be sold at msrp price.

NHTSA ID
11568682
Incident
Jan 5, 2024
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Aug 26, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

On April 05, 2022 I was struck head-on by a negligent driver who rounded a blind turn at a rate of speed of above sixty miles per hour. His vehicle drifted across the double yellow lines into my lane and hit three quarters of my front bumper. He was driving a four door sedan and I was driving a 2019 Kia Soul. My vehicle was lifted off of the ground, slid across his hood and roof, landed on its side and grinder against the passenger side of the car along the floor and the roof grinded the guard rail. My steering wheel air bag did not deploy, causing my head to go through the windshield. All of this is evidenced by my dual camera dash cam. The front panel of my car was crushed, which caused the side curtain airbags to deploy. Unfortunately, even though the main impact was the front bumper, the steering wheel airbag did not deploy. I suffered severe permanent injuries from this accident. I have emailed the claims department of Kia motors, but have yet to hear a reply. Thank you! I pray that no one else has to endure such a travailing experience due to a faulty product prevent vehicles from being crash worthy.

NHTSA ID
11540896
Incident
Apr 5, 2022
AirbagsEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 16, 2023

unknown

NHTSA ID
11538964
Incident
Aug 16, 2023
AirbagsEngine
Filed Apr 18, 2022

Tiene problemas de bolsas de aire y se enciende el bombillo constantemente

NHTSA ID
11461237
Incident
Apr 18, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jan 7, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported

Air Bag did not properly inflate in collision. This caused impact to steering wheel which resulted in severe bruising. Has not been reproduced or inspected. Accident occurred December 32, 2021. No warning of failure, and no recall from manufacturer.

NHTSA ID
11446631
Incident
Dec 31, 2021
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Dec 8, 2020
Crash reported3 injuries reported

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON RTE 13 WITH MY 4 CHILDREN. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55MPH AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS BETWEEN 55-60 MPH...WHICH IS THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING. AS IM APPROACHING TO PROCEED PASS INTERSECTION RTE 13 & EDEN ALLEN RD THERE'S A CAR AT THE STOP SIGN WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR RTE 13 TO CLEAR BEFORE ENTERING. THE DRIVER DECIDED TO DASH OUT TO GO ACROSS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AND TRIED AVOIDING COLLISION BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH TIME. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING MY UPPER BODY TO SLAM AGAINST STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURIES. MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WHERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CALIBER COLLISON WHERE TO THIS DAY IM BEING TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND THE REPAIRS ARE ALMOST COMPLETE. BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT MYSELF ALONG WITH 2 OF MY PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. TWO OF US ARE IN THERAPY. I SUBMITTED IMAGES BELOW BUT WAS UNSURE TO UPLOAD POLICE REPORT SINCE IT HAS SENSITIVE INFORMATION. EITHER CONTACT STATE FARM WITH MY NAME, ETC OR MY EMAIL FOR POLICE REPORT AND FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
11378418
Incident
Nov 6, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 2, 2020
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AND INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS, AND FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS IN HER VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, AND ALSO THREE PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS UNINJURED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS LEGS AND KNEES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO DAYS LATER THE MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGER HAD A HERNIA WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEAT PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS INJURED DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE CLAVICLE, RIGHT ELBOW, PAIN AND PRESSURE UNDERNEATH HER LEFT BREAST, UPPER CHEST AND UPPER BACK AND NECK PAIN, AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLCE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11377518
Incident
Nov 6, 2020
Mileage
120,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Jun 28, 2019
Crash reported

I HAVE A TOTALED CAR DUE TO A WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS HIT MULTIPLE TIMES EXTREMELY HARD.

NHTSA ID
11223093
Incident
Jun 21, 2019
Mileage
20,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .