2018 Kia Soul transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 23, 202692,573 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked while accelerating and experienced severe jerking while decelerating. The failure had occurred on several occasions. On June 18, 2024, the vehicle failed to accelerate or shift properly. On January 15, 2025, the vehicle shuddered violently and nearly stalled. On April 14, 2026, the vehicle was jerking, and the transmission shifted gears improperly. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11746010 · source
2. Filed Jun 3, 2026FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   On [XXX], my 2018 Kia Soul (VIN [XXX] ) displayed DTC P1326 with a blinking check engine light and went into limp mode. Ray’s Automotive documented P1326 in writing, added oil, and cleared the light only to allow safe transport. At Greenway Kia (Avenues), they charged $199 and refused to create a Vehicle Diagnosis Number (VDN) or perform the Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) unless they could reproduce the code. This directly contradicts Kia TSB PI2107Y/Z (Rev 1, 11/07/2024),…

   NHTSA complaint #11741736 · source
3. Filed Dec 9, 2025DCEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Description of the Problem: My 2018 Kia Soul has a recurring and unresolved safety issue involving sudden loss of power while driving. The check-engine light repeatedly comes on, and at times the vehicle will hesitate or lose acceleration unexpectedly, creating a risk of being unable to maintain speed in traffic. Chronology: This issue has been occurring for over a year. I have taken the vehicle to the Kia dealership multiple times for the same problem. Each time, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11704038 · source
4. Filed May 12, 2025MDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle has been well maintained. About 1.5 years ago, it experienced a fuel injector failure. All four injectors were replaced to ensure the health of the engine. Recently, while on an 8-hour trip, halfway through, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power on the highway, nearly resulting in a crash, and the check engine light illuminated. The car was towed to a Kia dealership, where they stated the engine had failed. Cylinders 3 and 4 have ring and valve damage.…

   NHTSA complaint #11660546 · source
5. Filed May 12, 2025MDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle has been well maintained. About 1.5 years ago, it experienced a fuel injector failure. All four injectors were replaced to ensure the health of the engine. Recently, while on an 8-hour trip, halfway through, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power on the highway, nearly resulting in a crash, and the check engine light illuminated. The car was towed to a Kia dealership, where they stated the engine had failed. Cylinders 3 and 4 have ring and valve damage.…

   NHTSA complaint #11660545 · source
6. Filed Sep 5, 2024SCEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have A 2018 Kia Soul I have been having problems with my oil running low and my oil and engine light coming on after I have had an oil change this has been going on since 12/21:2023 inhace taken my car to the dealearship over and over only for them to tell me I don’t have oil leak they have done oil consumption test and still said nothing was wrong with the vehicle continued to take to get oil change and same thing has kept happening finally paid for diagnostic after…

   NHTSA complaint #11612867 · source
7. Filed Apr 22, 2024MDTransmission & Drivetrain

   2018 KIA SOUL gas pedal stopped working while driving on interstate 695. On April 7, 2024 my car displayed the following warning message on the dash while I was driving on the beltway. “Transmission Temp high please stop safely”. The warning light went off, but I took my car to the Koons Kia service on April 9, 2024. A few days later I was informed by the dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced and that the engine had sludge. I was later informed that the clutch…

   NHTSA complaint #11584541 · source
8. Filed Feb 29, 202466,000 miTXTowedBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to maintain oil pressure, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to maintain power and would stall after being started. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes,…

   NHTSA complaint #11574787 · source
9. Filed May 17, 2023MSTransmission & Drivetrain

   Bought this vehicle used with 32k miles. Have experienced a judder when accelerating since we purchased it. This a known issue with Kia. I sent it to a dealership and they replaced a fuel injector and said that was the problem, it's not. Got the car back and it is still malfunctioning. This issue was reported on this vehicle previously when it was brand new. I need this issue fixed.

   NHTSA complaint #11522503 · source
10. Filed Feb 26, 2023NCTransmission & Drivetrain

    Code P0507 Keep causing engine light to turn on. Replaced air filter, MAP sensor, and had throttle body relearned. Also, Alternator was said to not be working after car stalled. Alternator is not working again 1 month after proper replacement of alternator and serpentine belt. Put at risk due to stalling. Available for inspection upon request Vehicle has not been inspected at the dealership due to no appointment slots available until may 2023 No warning prior to engine light…

    NHTSA complaint #11509196 · source
11. Filed Sep 27, 2022MDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    My vehicle randomly started making a knocking noise. We took it to our local mechanic who stated he has seen a lot of these come from the Kia line lately. the knocking noise comes from the rods. He said the cost to get this repaired would be $4,000-$5,000, since the bottom portion of the engine would need to be replaced. This car is not driveable. We are the 2nd owners and the car only has $65,000 miles on it. We bought the car from carmax in November 2021, and they did a…

    NHTSA complaint #11486667 · source
12. Filed Sep 26, 2022PAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Driving on Route 79 on Labor Day weekend, at 70mph in the passing lane, my 2018 Kia Soul+ with 77574 miles refused to accelerate and then the engine completely stopped. We were able to get to the side of the road unharmed but the engine was completely dead. We called triple A and has it towed to a local garage I called Kia corporate because the car is not yet 5 years old and the garage thought it might be under warranty. The Kia consumer line 800-333-4KIA took 5 hours to…

    NHTSA complaint #11486558 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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