KiaSoul2017Overview/kia/soul/2017/base/

2017 Kia Soul

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Soul.

Body SUV

The 2017 Kia Soul is a compact SUV that calls for 4.2‑4.7 quarts of 5W‑30 or 5W‑20 API‑rated oil. Owner‑reported data show 269 total complaints for the model year, with the engine emerging as the leading concern and a single recall issued. Across the 2010‑2025 span, the 2017 figure sits well below the 2015 peak of 898 complaints but remains notably above the 2025 low of 11, indicating a mid‑range reliability profile for the generation.

Model year202520232022202120202019201820172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2-4.7OEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205/60R16, P215/55R17, P235/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5, 6.5, 7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length163 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height63 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight3289 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Soul of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2017 !
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017! 1.6L Turbo I-46.30 sec15.00 sec201 hpFWD
2017! 1.6L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.10 sec201 hpFWD
2016EV+ Elec 27-kWh9.70 sec17.40 sec109 hpFWD
2015! 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.40 sec164 hpFWD
2015+ 2.0L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec164 hpFWD
2015Eco Electric + Elec 27-kWh9.20 sec17.00 sec109 hpFWD
2015Eco Electric + Elec 27-kWh9.30 sec17.10 sec109 hpFWD
2014! 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.40 sec164 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2-4.7 of 5W-30 / 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity5.3-5.4
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity5.3-5.4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.0-54.2 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.7-28.9 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)28.9-36.2 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub203.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Turbo: 680; Without Turbo: 670 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.52-4.22 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberW/ISG OR TURBO: 48

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72
Engine Compression156-178 PSI. 14 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.
Engine Compression178-199 PSI. 15 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .827; Rear: .331
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: 0.0016; Rear: 0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 4 stages
1M6 Bolts52 in
2M6 Bolts104–112 in
3M8 Bolts84 in
414.0-17.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep M6 Bolts

1108.0-120.0 inch lbs.; M8 Bolts108–120 in
114.0-17.0 ft. lbs.14–17 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply a 2.0-3.0mm patch of RTV or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. apply liquid gasket threebond 1217H or equivalent on the edge of the cylinder block and head gasket. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
2120.0-125.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Air Intake Duct (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the Kia Soul shows a steady rise in complaints and technical service bulletins from 2010, peaking in 2015 with 898 complaints and 210 TSBs. The 2017 model year marks a significant pivot in this trend, with complaints dropping sharply to 269 and recalls decreasing to one. This improvement is evident when compared to the 800 complaints reported for 2016, signaling a shift toward greater stability that continued into 2018 and 2019. For 2017, the most frequent complaints involve the engine (148) and power train/engine (10), although the data does not specify the root cause of these issues. Additionally, there were 17 crash and 14 fire complaints recorded for this specific year. Because it falls at the start of a clear decline in federal complaints and recalls relative to the 2012-2016 period, the 2017 model is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
101
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
269
Owner complaints
17 involved a crash · 14 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 269 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine148
Unknown Or Other15
Air Bags12
Power Train,Engine10
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System5
Electrical System,Engine5
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Electrical System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V031000Air BagsReported 25/01/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 101 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2311_TSB_R42026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
PI2107_OWNR_5012026-04-07Electrical SystemPRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107 Flight 501) - This document is…
CS2311_OWNR_PC2012025-12-19StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
TSB_SC334_R12025-08-20StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION &…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Soul. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Soul take?

4.2-4.7 of With Turbo: 5W-30 API Use lubricant equivalent to ACEA A5/B5, Without Turbo: 5W-20 API SM., per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Soul have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.