2018 Kia Soul problems and complaints

Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Soul. The most-reported areas: Engine (140), Power Train (31), Unknown Or Other (30).

Key takeaways

  • 218 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 14 involve a crash, 14 a fire, 12 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine14064%
Power Train3114%
Unknown Or Other3014%
Electrical System199%
Fuel/Propulsion System115%
Air Bags115%
Engine And Engine Cooling94%
Vehicle Speed Control84%
Service Brakes73%
Steering52%
Structure52%
Exterior Lighting42%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2018 Kia Soul SUV FWD5/55/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Engine - filed 2026-09-09

This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.

Engine - filed 2026-09-09

This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.

Engine - filed 2026-09-09

This Kia has an oil consumption issue I need to add oil every 3 to 4 hundred miles also my oil gets black at least 1 week after an oil change.

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More for the 2018 Kia Soul

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.