Model year record

2018 Kia Soul recalls & problems

The 2018 Kia Soul has 1 safety recall and 220 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (142 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints220filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 14reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2018 Kia Soul in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 25, 2022

Air bags

Recall 22V031000410,619 vehicles

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2018 Kia Soul SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	14.7%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Kia Soul NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2018 Kia Soul NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Range & efficiency

Soul Electric EV

111mi range

Efficiency	31.2 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb	124 / 93 / 108
Charge time (240 V)	5 h

Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $700/year to charge

Soul

28mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Soul

27mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Soul

27mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Soul

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	142	1	10	0	70,812 mi
Power train	31	0	0	0	33,000 mi
Unknown or other	30	2	4	0	13,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Coil; 12v/24v/48v battery	21	1	2	0	59,000 mi
Air bags	11	8	0	8	36,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	11	1	0	0	40,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Engine control module (ecu/ecm); Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor	9	0	0	0	97,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	8	2	0	1	22,500 mi
Service brakes	6	1	0	0	—
Steering	5	0	0	1	38,000 mi
StructureBody	5	1	1	2	—
Exterior lighting	4	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
**Vehicle:** 2018 Kia Soul\ **Mileage:** Approximately 198,000 miles 1\. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The engine appears to have experienced a serious malfunction, and the vehicle is no longer moving. I believe the engine may have failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2\. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** There is no immediate safety risk at the moment because the vehicle is not being driven. However, an unexpected loss of engine power or the inability to move could create a dangerous situation if it occurred in traffic. 3\. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by…
Oct 24, 2026
Engine
I am reporting excessive engine oil consumption in my 2018 Kia Soul, VIN [XXX], with over 150,000 miles. The engine consumes approximately 1-2 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. There are no visible external oil leaks, and the vehicle does not produce visible exhaust smoke. I am concerned that this excessive oil consumption may indicate an internal engine defect and could lead to engine damage or sudden engine failure if the oil level becomes too low . Having to add oil so frequently creates an ongoing risk that the engine could become dangerously low on oil between checks, potentially resulting in engine failure while driving and creating a safety hazard for the driver and other motorists. I…
Oct 8, 2024
Engine
This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.
Sep 9, 2026
Engine
This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.
Sep 9, 2026
Engine
This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.
Sep 9, 2026
Engine
This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.
Sep 9, 2026
Engine
This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.
Sep 9, 2026
Engine
My car has very high oil consumption. I regularly take it for oil changes and have never missed an oil change. In between oil changes I need to put anywhere between 2-3 bottles of oil in. I have taken it in to the dealership for a couple of oil consumption tests that both failed step one so they kept it overnight and did some kind of flush or cleanse and then it passed step 2 both times. The car is good for a little while and then it starts consuming alot of oil again. Due to the high consumption of oil my catalytic converter is going bad and the engine seems very sluggish at times. I do have a yellow check engine light constantly on and the code is for the catalytic converter due to high…
Apr 25, 2022

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.