2018 Kia Soul problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Soul, most often about engine. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
188
Recalls
1
Crashes
6
Fires
11
Injuries
5
Median mileage
68,170 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 143 of 188 complaints (76%).
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (25) and electrical system (17) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 68,170 mi.
  • Owners reported 6 crashes, 11 fires and 5 injuries.
  • The 2018 Kia Soul has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 9th of 16 Kia Soul model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 21% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (238).

2018 Kia Soul problems by category

  • Engine · 1 crash
    143 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    25 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    24 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    17 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Airbags · 4 crashes
    7 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    5 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    5 complaints
  • Steering
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine137
Power train25
Unknown or other24
Electrical system15
Fuel/propulsion system9
Air bags7
Engine and engine cooling7
Structure:body5

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k110k–30k1130k–60k2560k–100k10100k–150k2150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Kia Soul complaints that list mileage.

2018 Kia Soul recalls (1)

  • Recall 22V031000Jan 25, 2022410,619 vehicles
    AIR BAGS

    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.

    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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2018 Kia Soul SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2018 Kia Soul complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 9, 2026MAEngine
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11763090 · source
  2. Filed Sep 9, 2026MAEngine
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11763089 · source
  3. Filed Sep 9, 2026MAEngine
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11763088 · source
  4. Filed Sep 9, 2026MAEngine
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11763087 · source
  5. Filed Sep 9, 2026MAEngine
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11763086 · source
  6. Filed Aug 11, 2026ILEngineOther / Unknown
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11756115 · source
  7. Filed Jul 25, 2026NCElectrical SystemEngine
    The vehicle is suffering from an extreme internal engine oil consumption defect, burning approximately 3 quarts of engine oil every 500 to 600 miles with no external leaks. The internal oil burning heavily fouled the vehicle's ignition system (spark plugs and coil packs), causing severe engine misfires and a sudden vehicle stall while operating in motion on public highways. This unexpected loss of motive power creates an extreme safety hazard. The local dealership, Paramount…
    NHTSA complaint #11752835 · source
  8. Filed Jul 21, 2026LAEngine
    My 2018 Kia Soul has failed on oil consumption test and needs and engine replacement. Kia knows of these issues with these cars but will not cover the engine replacement cost bc the class action suit does not cover oil consumption failure only rod bearings. This will be an issue sooner or later with the oil problem. Kia has several recalls on other vehicles for the exact same thing.
    NHTSA complaint #11751809 · source

Compare the 2018 Kia Soul with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology