Owners have reported 14 crashes, 13 fires, 12 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2018 KIA Soul. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints93
ENGINE
Owners report frequent engine failures in the 2018 Kia Soul, often without prior warning lights or indicators. Common symptoms include engine knocking, excessive oil consumption, and sudden loss of power, with some engines seizing completely. Complaints frequently mention issues arising around 40,000 to 165,000 miles. At least seven reports involve engine fires, posing significant safety risks. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, as multiple owners describe costly repairs and disputes over warranty coverage.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 7 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints29
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Kia Soul frequently report issues with sudden loss of power while driving, often accompanied by the check engine light illuminating. Complaints often describe the vehicle hesitating, failing to accelerate, or completely stalling, which is particularly concerning at highway speeds and in heavy traffic. Several reports note these issues occurring around 70,000 to 100,000 miles, with some instances involving engine or transmission failures requiring significant repairs. Safety implications are notable, with one complaint mentioning a near-crash situation due to power loss. Buyers considering a used 2018 Kia Soul should be aware of these potential powertrain issues and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2018 Kia Soul, with a notable pattern of excessive oil consumption and engine-related failures. Multiple complaints describe engines seizing or rods failing, often around 70,000 to 84,000 miles, with some incidents resulting in fires. There are also reports of unintended acceleration, including one crash, and instances of the vehicle moving forward when in reverse or neutral. Additionally, owners mention electrical issues affecting the alarm system and unexpected stalling at idle. These reliability concerns, particularly the engine failures and fire incidents, are critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 3 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Kia Soul frequently report issues related to the electrical system, particularly involving starting problems and excessive oil consumption. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle failing to start despite having a new battery, often requiring a jump start, with some owners experiencing this intermittently. Additionally, several reports highlight electrical shorts affecting brake and tail lights, causing them to burn out quickly. Safety concerns are underscored by reports of fires, particularly at mileages around 63,000, and one incident involving a crash due to stalling attributed to low oil compression. Prospective buyers should be aware of these electrical and engine-related issues, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Kia Soul frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during crashes, with eight out of ten complaints involving accidents where airbags failed to deploy, leading to injuries. Common symptoms described include head and chest injuries due to the absence of airbag cushioning, with some reports detailing serious injuries like head trauma and nerve damage. The complaints often mention vehicles with mileage around 25,000 to 37,000 miles. Additionally, some owners express difficulties in completing airbag-related safety recalls, citing prolonged wait times and lack of dealer cooperation. These patterns suggest potential safety risks for used car buyers, particularly concerning airbag functionality in crash scenarios.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 0 fire, 8 injury reports
Owner complaints9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report that the 2018 Kia Soul experiences significant engine issues, with multiple complaints describing excessive oil consumption and engine failures. Symptoms frequently mentioned include illuminated check engine lights, abnormal knocking sounds, and vehicles stalling or losing power while driving. These problems often occur around 70,000 to 150,000 miles. Some owners also describe instances where the engine requires replacement or rebuilding, and in certain cases, connecting rods have pierced the engine block. Safety implications include the potential for sudden loss of motive power, which can lead to hazardous situations on the road.
Owner complaints7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Kia Soul frequently report issues related to unexpected acceleration and deceleration. Common symptoms include the vehicle accelerating on its own while parked or when the brake is released, as well as significant hesitation or loss of power while driving, sometimes accompanied by warning lights such as oil, engine, and battery indicators. These problems are noted at various mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 5,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of two crashes, including one that resulted in a broken nose, and incidents of the vehicle accelerating into stationary objects. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly the risk of unintended acceleration and the associated safety hazards.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Kia Soul report several steering-related issues, with symptoms including difficulty turning the steering wheel and occasional loss of control. Complaints frequently mention problems such as the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn or loose, and in some cases, the need to replace components like the steering column gears, steering coupler, and steering rack. These issues are often observed around 100,000 to 130,000 miles. One report describes a violent shaking of the front end, while another notes incidents of losing steering control during turns. Additionally, a unique complaint involves a steering wheel material causing contact dermatitis, impacting the vehicle's usability. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, as evidenced by reports of running onto sidewalks and the risk of steering-related crashes.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 KIA Soul frequently report issues with paint flaking and peeling, particularly on the hood and side mirrors. Complaints describe paint chipping off in straight lines and random spots, with some incidents occurring as early as 2024. One owner mentions a safety risk when paint flakes obstructed their windshield view while driving. Another issue involves the dashboard becoming sticky and glossy, leading to glare on the windshield. A single fire incident is reported, with the vehicle stationary and not in operation, though the cause is undetermined. These issues could be relevant for potential buyers considering the vehicle's paint condition and dashboard integrity.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Kia Soul report issues with the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which appears to malfunction persistently despite multiple repair attempts. One owner indicates the problem has persisted since delivery, with 13 repair attempts over five years, yet the issue remains unresolved. Another complaint involves engine failure due to a loss of oil pressure and subsequent stalling, with the vehicle failing to maintain power at approximately 66,000 miles. These issues suggest potential safety implications, particularly with the AEB system, as unresolved defects may affect vehicle control and resale value.
