Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.
vehicle
2018 / kia / soul
known issues
6 clusters (reviewed 2026-07-22)
complaints
218 on file (2018-03-30 → 2026-09-09)
recalls
1
investigations
0
fars
80 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
Engine seizure and connecting rod failureENGINE67 complaints2020-07 → 2026-07soul-2018-engine-seizure-rod-failure
11724268 The engine seized up at 165,000 miles. According to one [XXX] at Trinity Automotive in Fairfield, Ohio, it's a known issue. According to [XXX] at PrebCo in Eaton, Ohio, the issue is related to low-pressure piston rings. Compression tests showed between 0 psi in one cylinder and…
11703799 9/25/25 Car would not accelerate on exit ramp and engine seized just as I pulled into Romeo Kia Kingston Car Repair Center, causing a dangerous driving situation. No prior noise or warning lights for the 6 years I have owned the car. 10/6/25 per Jared Illg, District Kia Mgr.…
11724558 The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the hood. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was…
Engine stall and loss of power while drivingENGINE23 complaints2019-07 → 2026-07soul-2018-engine-stall-power-loss
11722057 ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT DOWN THE HIGHWAY Purchased 8/5 from reseller, who had driver it over 200 miles with no issues. Had it inspected that day and no issues found. Scheduled appt w/ Clay Cooley Kia to drop off 8/12 to have warranty recalls addressed. Clay Cooley…
11704038 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…
Engine oil consumption and low oil levelENGINE21 complaints2021-02 → 2025-12soul-2018-oil-consumption-low-oil
11733377 My 2018 Kia Soul with the 2.0L Nu GDI engine is experiencing severe oil consumption of approximately 1 quart every 300–400 miles. The engine and lubrication system are available for inspection upon request. My check engine light is currently on. The dealer performed several…
11706053 Excessive oil consumption
Engine compartment fire and smokeENGINE17 complaints2019-04 → 2026-04soul-2018-engine-compartment-fire
11676911 Nov 10,2024 my 2018 Kia soul “1.6” (1.6 is important because only the 2018 Kia soul 2.0 got recognized in class action lawsuit for exact reason my 1.6 did engine fire but yet YOU nor KIA will take responsibility for the fire and you guys for not doing a recall on it) biggest…
11730985 My KIA Soul 2018 caught on file while driving. The whole engine was in flames. I didn't want to die because my car has a manufacturing issue that KIA was not aware about. The dealership I've purchased the car from denied to give me a copy of the mechanical inspection done at the…
Warranty and recall repair denialUNKNOWN OR OTHER23 complaints2019-04 → 2026-07soul-2018-warranty-recall-repair-denial
11748805 During a BBB dispute regarding warranty coverage, Kia Corporate claimed the vehicle is ineligible for safety recall repairs.
11739077 The ABS/traction warning lights came on. On April 29,2026, I took it to Beck and Masten Group 1 Kia inTomball, Texas and they diagnosed as HECU failure. The repair cost $2377.16. KIA corporate denied reimbursement. Lights were resolved after HECU replacement. There was no…
Airbag non-deployment in collisionAIR BAGS12 complaints2019-02 → 2026-01soul-2018-airbag-non-deployment
11539186 I was involved in a high speed car accident last week where the impact made me hit my head on the steering wheel. My air bags never deployed even though the other driver was going at least 70mph. My vehicle is a total loss.
11468664 The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into the front end of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact which caused the contact to hit her chest on the steering…
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.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.
Cite this
Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.
Wrench.Pro (2026). 2018 Kia Soul vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/kia/soul
@misc{wrenchpro_2018_kia_soul_2026,
author = {Wrench.Pro},
title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2018 Kia Soul},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/kia/soul}},
note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}
