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2018 Kia Soul

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Soul do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 225.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 138 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports14 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

218 reports
60,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KIA OF MUNCIE 6732 W HOMETOWN BLVD, MUNCIE, IN 47304) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THAT THE ENGINE ROID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KIA OF MUNCIE 6732 W HOMETOWN BLVD, MUNCIE, IN 47304) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THAT THE ENGINE ROID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11351542

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2020
StructureUnknown Or OtherFire

AT 2AM ON SATURDAY AUGUST 22ND MY HUSBAND'S 2018 KIA SOUL, WHICH WAS STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN OPERATION AT THE TIME, WAS SET ABLAZE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. WE WERE ASLEEP AND WERE WOKEN UP BY THE SOUND OF, WHAT WAS POSSIBLY, THE TIRES EXPLODING, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE BY THE TIME WE WERE ABLE TO WAKE UP AND EVA…

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AT 2AM ON SATURDAY AUGUST 22ND MY HUSBAND'S 2018 KIA SOUL, WHICH WAS STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN OPERATION AT THE TIME, WAS SET ABLAZE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. WE WERE ASLEEP AND WERE WOKEN UP BY THE SOUND OF, WHAT WAS POSSIBLY, THE TIRES EXPLODING, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE BY THE TIME WE WERE ABLE TO WAKE UP AND EVACUATE THE PROPERTY. WE HAVE A DOORBELL CAMERA THAT WOULD HAVE PICKED UP A PERSON IN OUR DRIVEWAY SO WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE CAUSE WAS ARSON. ONLINE RESEARCH AFTER THE INCIDENT INDICATES THAT THIS COULD BE RELATED THE THE RECENT RECALLS OF KIAS AND HYUNDAIS, WHICH OUR MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED AS FAR AS WE KNOW.

NHTSA ODI #11350993

37,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY 11 2020. THE OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND I T-BONED HIM. MY CAR SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. IN THIS ACCIDENT NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #11350865

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2018 KIA SOUL+ AND RECENTLY THERE IS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG OR SMELL ANYTHING BURNING ON THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M AFRAID THAT THE C…

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I HAVE A 2018 KIA SOUL+ AND RECENTLY THERE IS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG OR SMELL ANYTHING BURNING ON THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CAR ALSO LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING EX. I CAN BE DRIVING 60 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS TO DECREASE IN SPEED AND YOU HAVE TO RAVE UP THE CAR TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. NOT GOOD AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11343985

35 miles · Jul 9, 2020
Engine

ON 7/8/20, MY CAR MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AND SHUT OFF ON ME. NO SENSORS, NO LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA IN WHICH I PURCHASED IT FROM, AND THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE BLEW. MY WARRANTY WAS SUPPOSE TO COVER THE REPAIRS BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11338396

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2020
Structure

DASHBOARD IS BECOMING STICKY AND GLOSSY CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ODI #11328760

36,269 miles · Jan 14, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWBIN KIA LOCATED AT 260 N GIBSON RD, HENDERSON, NV 89014, 702) 567-8000, 4 TIMES …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWBIN KIA LOCATED AT 260 N GIBSON RD, HENDERSON, NV 89014, 702) 567-8000, 4 TIMES TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,269.

NHTSA ODI #11299322

1,440,000 miles · Jan 4, 2020
EnginePower Train

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVERY TIME I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD I USED BAD GAS AND TO CHANGE THE GAS. I WAS EVEN TOLD THE COMPUTER ON MY CAR NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND UNTIL THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND MAY NOT GO OUT. MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WOULDN'T MOVE.

NHTSA ODI #11297073

100 miles · Dec 17, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESELOH KIA CARLSBAD (5331 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESELOH KIA CARLSBAD (5331 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 208-2237) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10162049. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: (XXX), BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100. *LN*JB *LN CONSUMER STATED CLUTCH SYSTEM WAS SLIPPING AND WAS REPLACED. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.*JB *LN MANUFACTURER CASE NUMBER (XXX) ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI #11289735

12,600 miles · Dec 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other

AROUND 11:40PM ON 12/3/2019 I PARKED MY CAR IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT - CAR WAS STATIONARY. IT WAS 51 DEGREES OUT AND CLOUDY, BUT NO RAIN OR ANY PRECIPITATION. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING; THE HEAT/AC WERE NOT ON. NO ONE WAS AROUND. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD IN THE BACK (LARGE HATCH DOOR WINDOW) SHATTERED ENTIRELY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A SH…

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AROUND 11:40PM ON 12/3/2019 I PARKED MY CAR IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT - CAR WAS STATIONARY. IT WAS 51 DEGREES OUT AND CLOUDY, BUT NO RAIN OR ANY PRECIPITATION. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING; THE HEAT/AC WERE NOT ON. NO ONE WAS AROUND. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD IN THE BACK (LARGE HATCH DOOR WINDOW) SHATTERED ENTIRELY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOT. NOTHING FELL ON THE CAR, NO PEOPLE OR ANIMALS WERE AROUND. THE WHOLE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED AND CRUMBLING ALONG THE EDGES. NO ROCKS, BBS, PELLETS, BRANCHES, BALLS, OR OTHER OBJECTS ANYWHERE. NO OTHER DAMAGE MADE AT THAT MOMENT TO THE CAR AT ALL. THE PANE STAYED TOGETHER UNTIL I OPENED/CLOSED MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THEN IT STARTED TO FALL APART. NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY. ONLY 12,600 MILES ON THE CAR. CHECKED WITH THE POLICE, BUT NO SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAD BEEN REPORTED. OCCURRED IN KIRKLAND, WA. NO PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS AS FAR AS I KNOW. EXCEPT A FEW WEEKS PRIOR, ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, A LON CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, STARTING FROM THE TOP EDGE ABOUT 9" LONG. NO EVIDENCE OF ROCK, DEBRIS, OR IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI #11286788

Official recalls

1

22V031000 · Air Bags

Jan 25, 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 and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

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 March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.