Kia Soul 2018 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Kia Soul 2018 and 218 complaints filed by owners. It has 3% fewer complaints than the average Kia Soul from 2016–2025 (226 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Kia Soul 2018? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Kia Soul 2018
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · 2022-01-25
What happens
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.
Consequence
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
218 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
14 with a crash · 14 with a fire · 12 injuries · 1 deaths
Most reported problems on the Kia Soul 2018
- Engine: 140 (64% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 31 (14% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 18 (8% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 11 (5% of complaints)
- Air bags: 10 (5% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Kia Soul 2018
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Kia Soul recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 823 complaints
- 2017 : 1 recalls · 272 complaints
- 2018 : 1 recalls · 218 complaints
- 2019 : 1 recalls · 136 complaints
- 2020 : 1 recalls · 384 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 237 complaints
- 2022 : 1 recalls · 92 complaints
- 2023 : 4 recalls · 54 complaints
- 2024 : 0 recalls · 30 complaints
- 2025 : 0 recalls · 12 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Kia Soul 2018 have?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Kia Soul 2018. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Kia Soul 2018?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (140 of 218 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).