2018 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 218 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 14 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsJan 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.
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the piston oil rings, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that a piston was missing and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact had to add one quart of oil per week. The battery was replaced on three occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 57 MPH while driving. There was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was no oil in the oil pan, but there was no indication of a leak. The oil light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was limp, and the starter was becoming inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was becoming inoperable, and an engine replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia of Naples (3325 Westview Dr, Naples, FL 34104) for an oil consumption and rod bearing test. The manufacturer was contacted and extended the warranty to 150,000 and declined to replace the engine due to missing maintenance records. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the oil level was low after a routine oil change. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the gasket and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle stalled and was unable to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the oil warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the light had appeared prior to the next scheduled oil change. A few days later while driving 60 MPH, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine with an oil burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle then stalled and came to a complete stop in middle of the highway. A fellow motorist assisted the contact in pushing the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was notified of the failure however, the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating, there was black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil consumption test and oil change. The contact stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,400.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was unsure what part was replaced on the vehicle; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the ECU was updated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Feb 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after the vehicle received an oil change by an independent mechanic, his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, and the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a connecting rod had gone through the engine block and fallen out underneath the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.