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: other or unspecified
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2019
WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR THE KEY WON'T COME OUT IF IT'S RAINING YOU GET WET AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START AND THE REMOTE DON'T WORK. YOU SMELL GAS WHILE YOU DRIVING.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2019
TWO INCIDENCES OF DECELERATION..ONE CAUSED ME TO EXIT FREEWAY ONTO THE FRONTAGE ROAD.. ONE INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP AFTER 2ND INCIDENT STATED "NOTHING FOUND"...HAD I BEEN SURROUNDED BY VEHICLES FRONT AND REAR, I AND OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT...I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FRONTAGE ROAD ONTO A SHOULDER. THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS NEAR MY RESIDENCE AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE STREET AT TIME....WHILE THE DEALER TECHNICIANS MAY NOT HAVE THESE EVENTS OCCUR AT THE TIME OF SERVICE, THESE INCIDENCES I BELIEVE ARE SPONTANEOUS AND THEREFORE DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF MY AND OTHER VEHICLES. THESE INCIDENCES KEEP ME IN FEAR OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THE LOCAL DEALER FOR A TRADE TO ANOTHER BRAND BUT ONLY RESPONSE SOMETIME APRIL 2019... WE WILL WORK ON IT. I STARTED BY EMAILING SALESMEN AND MANAGERS OF DEALERSHIP AND FINALLY CALLED WHICH FINALLY PRODUCED A RESPONSE TO ATTEMPT TO FIND A DIFFERENT BRAND VEHICLE...THIS IS A NEW LOAN OF MARCH 2018.,THIS VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY WAS BUILT IN SEPT. 2017.....FIRE HAZARD IS MENTIONED WITH ONE DEATH OF WOMAN IN TEXAS DUE TO ONE OF THESE TWO CAUSES.MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER KIA SOUL.
Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2019, crash
I WAS SITTING AT A JACKS DRIVE THROUGH WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS ON. MY CAR WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. IT PLOWED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE REESE HITCH ON HIS TRUCK WENT THROUGH MY BUMPER. THERE WAS NO INJURY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2019, fire
ON JUNE 22 2018 I WAS TOWING MY KIA BEHIND MY RV ON I-10 NEAR MONTICELLO FL. IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED .THE FHP ARRIVED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AS DID THE LOCATION FIRE DEPARTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT HOWEVER RV SUSTAINED $20K DAMAGE. THERE A FHP REPORT ON FILE (FHP01LRO23143). I REPORTED THIS TO KIA IN LAKE CITY, FL.THERE RESPONSE WAS YES THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS BUT NUMBER WAS WASN'T TOO BAD. CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT ACTION. I HAVE PHOTOS AND THE FHP REPORT IF NEEDED. NO FUTURE SAFETY RECALL INFORMATION IS REQUIRED, VEHICLE.IA IN THE BONEYARD.
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2018
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AND DIDN'T KNOW IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. ALSO SEVERAL TIMES I START THE VEHICLE AND IT STALL OUT IMMEDIATELY. DEALER COULDN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG. STOPPED AND IN DRIVE OR PARKED.