Audi A3 vs Kia Soul
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Audi A3
- Total complaints
- 668
- Avg per model year
- 40
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 20
- Most complained year
- 2006 (123)
Top problems: Air Bags, Power Train, Electrical System
Kia Soul
- Total complaints
- 5,452
- Avg per model year
- 341
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 15
- Most complained year
- 2015 (896)
Top problems: Engine, Unknown OR Other, Steering
Complaints by model year
| Year | Audi A3 | Kia Soul | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 11 | ||
| 2023 | 6 | 48 | ||
| 2022 | 9 | 88 | ||
| 2020 | 16 | 366 | ||
| 2019 | 10 | 134 | ||
| 2018 | 33 | 212 | ||
| 2017 | 44 | 270 | ||
| 2016 | 81 | 796 | ||
| 2015 | 89 | 896 | ||
| 2013 | 20 | 659 | ||
| 2012 | 43 | 514 | ||
| 2011 | 43 | 193 | ||
| 2010 | 50 | 134 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.