This page covers 3 recalls, 206 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Kia Soul.
108 MPGe combined
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2018 Kia Soul's complaint record by a wide margin. Owners frequently report excessive oil consumption, sometimes burning through a quart every few hundred miles, along with knocking noises from the engine, a flashing or illuminated check engine light, and rough running or hesitation during acceleration. A recurring outcome in these reports is engine failure requiring full replacement, with multiple owners describing the vehicle becoming undrivable without warning. Several owners report the oil warning light coming on alongside the check engine light, often shortly before the engine stops functioning. Powertrain complaints, the second most-reported category, largely follow the same thread, sluggish or rough behavior tied to the engine's condition rather than a separate transmission issue. The 2.0L engine appears across the bulk of these reports, with oil consumption and sudden engine failure being the most consistently described symptoms.
206
Total Complaints
15
Crash-Related
14
Fire-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Kia Soul has 3 recalls, and all three apply only to the Soul EV electric variant. The most serious risks are an unintended rollaway when parked and a high-voltage battery that can short-circuit and catch fire while driving.
On the parking side, the parking mechanism inside the transmission can become damaged, allowing the vehicle to roll even when the shifter is placed in Park if the parking brake is not engaged. The battery concern affects Soul EV models equipped with a specific E400 battery pack, where an electrical short inside the high-voltage battery can develop while the car is in motion and lead to a fire. There is also an airbag concern: the airbag control unit's cover can press against a memory chip on its circuit board and damage the electrical circuit, leaving the airbags deactivated so they will not deploy in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking mechanism may fail, allowing the vehicle to move unintentionally when the gear shift is in Park and the parking brake is not applied while the engine is on.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic control unit software at no charge to fix the parking mechanism.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high-voltage battery pack may develop an electrical short circuit while you're driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update or replace the battery management system and software. New software detects abnormal voltage and limits charging and power. If needed, the battery will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Air Bag Control Unit cover may contact and damage a memory chip on the circuit board, causing the air bags to deactivate and fail to deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the Air Bag Control Unit and update its software or replace the unit as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
