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
218 reports, newest first.
Wheels, Jun 6, 2019
TIRE SEPARATION DRIVERS SIDE REAR. JUNE1ST. VEHICLE GOING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON FREEWAY TEMPERATURE WAS 90 F AND ABOUT 60% HUMIDITY CAR HAD NO SPARE PROVIDED WITH CAR. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED.
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.
Steering, May 13, 2019
FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON A CITY STREET, THANKSGIVING NIGHT 2018. MADE LEFT TURN AT LIGHT, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL, RAN UP ONTO SIDEWALK AND BACK INTO THE STREET. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED THE NIGHT BEFORE MOTHER'S DAY 2019, MADE RIGHT TURN AT LIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AGAIN
Steering, May 1, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL IS MANUFACTURED OF MATERIAL WHICH CONTAINS A TOXIC SUBSTANCE WHICH HAS CAUSED THE OWNER TO SUFFER A MEDICAL CONDITION OF SEVERE CONTACT DERMATITS. THE CAR CAN'T BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE USE OF A COVER OVER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL THE MARYLAND STATE SAFETY INSPECTION.
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.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 19, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED IN HALF. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NERVE DAMAGE TO THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 12, 2019, crash
I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT ON A CROSS STREET INTERSECTION AT A STOP SIGN I LOOKED BOTH WAYS NO VEHICLE ON SITE UNTIL I STARTED TO CROSS OVER WHEN A DRIVER SPEAD DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT ME THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE SOUL IS GONE THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED (NOT EVEN ONE DEPLOYED). I SUSTAINED CHEST INJURY AND BREAST INJURY I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL AND CHECKED FOR CHEST PAINS XRAYS REVEALED INTERNAL BRUISES. MY CHEST BREAST AND PART OF MY STOMACH ARE BLACK AND BLUE
Vehicle speed control, Jan 29, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS IN GEAR. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO A LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Engine, Nov 9, 2018, fire
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, WITH NO ONE AROUND IT, WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE INSPECTOR STATED CAUSE OF THE FIRE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2018
USUALLY AFTER A RAINY NIGHT OR WHEN THERE IS DEW IN THE MORNING, WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND STATIONARY AT MY HOME, THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON AND THE WINDSHIELD/BACK GLASS WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. AFTER TURNING THE WIPERS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES THEY MAY COME ON FOR A MOMENT AND THEN WILL NOT OPERATE AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE TWICE SO FAR. HAS LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOW DARK WHEN I AM LEAVING FOR WORK AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I CAN NOT DRIVE IT WITH OUT HEAD LIGHTS. IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS/WIPERS IN THE RAIN WHERE I LIVE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE HEATER ACTIVATED, STEAM APPEARED FROM THE HEATER VENTS AND FOGGED UP ALL THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT SOMETHING MUST HAVE ENTERED INTO THE DRAIN LINE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT VISIT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Wheels, Sep 26, 2018
REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH WITH NO WARNING (NO LOW PRESSURE SIGN), NO EXTERNAL FACTORS (DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING). CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, BUT DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. VEHICLE HAS NEXEN TIRES.
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.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 26, 2018
FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HAS A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN/REDLIGHT ETC. AS YOU PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, IT HESITATES THEN ACCELERATES HARD. HAS 340 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. DEALER AND KIA STATE THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION/TURBO DESIGN. EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS SHOCKED WHEN HE DROVE IT SAYING HE WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. I WOULD THINK THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED WITH A PROGRAMMING UPDATE. MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY IS TO PART: 1ST, ANTICIPATING THE VEHICLE MAY GO WHEN IN FACT IT HESITATED TO PULL OFF CREATES AN ANTICIPATION EVENT. 2ND, THE HARD ACCELERATION WHEN IT ENGAGES COULD RESULT IN REAR-ENDING SOMEONE. THE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE WORK ORDER AND DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A BULLETIN EXPLAINING THE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS, HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE HESITATION ISSUE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 24, 2018, crash
BRAKES FAILED. WAS PUMPING PEDLE, NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER AND REARENDED DRIVER INFRONT OF ME AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Seat belts, Jun 12, 2018, crash
WE WERE HIT IN REAR BY A TRUCK. MY WIFE AND I WENT FORWARD TO ALMOST THE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL, THE BELTS NEVER CAUGHT. I CALLED KIA TALKED TO OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA HE SAID THEY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT. TOOK TO KIA DEALER HAS ADVISED AND THEY SAID IT WORKED FINE. THEY ADJUSTED BECAUSE NOW YOU PULL A LITTLE WAYS THEY LOCK. THE SERVER WRITER SAID THE TECH TOLD HIM THEY WOULD NOT LOCK FOR BEING HIT IN REAR. TALKED TO CALIFORNIA AGAIN THE SAME PERSON AND HE SAID THEY WOULD NOT LOCK BECAUSE WE WENT BACK FIRST AND THEN FORWARD. WE WAS STOPPED AT A YIELD SIGN FOR TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY WAITING TO GO TO ANOTHER HIGHWAY WHEN WE WERE HIT.
Wheels, Mar 30, 2018
OUR BRAND NEW 2018 CAR ON THE MARKET HAS A TIRE MOBILITY KIT. THIS KIT ONLY SEALS A PUNCTURE & COMPRESSES FOR A SHORT TERM TRIP TO A LOCAL GARAGE. AS YOU WELL KNOW, MORE THAN A PUNCTURE CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. NO SPARE WELLS ("BUT DONUTS ONLY" ALONG WITH A JACK AT EXTRA COST) ARE BUILT TO ACTUALLY HOLD A REAL SPARE TIRE. THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES ALL AROUND THIS COUNTRY OF INADEQUATE COVERAGE OF CELL PHONE SERVICES, NOT TO MENTION TIRE SITUATIONS OTHER THAN PUNCTURES. MAY I ASK YOU HOW YOUR AGENCY CONSIDER THIS METHOD OF EMERGENCY REPAIR CONSIDERED SAFE FOR CONSUMERS? THIS SYSTEM OF SAFETY SHOULD TAKE HIGHEST PRIORITY! SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS INADEQUATE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM.SHAME ON YOUR NEGLIGENCE!!!