2018 Kia Soul: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
1 recall campaign to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 67% about engine & cooling.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2018 Kia Soul
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2018 Kia Soul recalls
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Kia Soul. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Airbags
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Details 22V031000
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.
Fix: 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.
2018 Kia Soul safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Brakes: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC334 Flight 201) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a…
- Corrosion: Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake line(s) in certain 2014-2019 MY Soul vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
- Warranty extension: Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts.
- Steering: Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2018 Kia Soul safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
218 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Kia Soul years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator