Air Bags
NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · 2022 · reported 01/25/2022
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2018 Kia Soul Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 5.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
210Complaints
1Recalls
14Crashes
14Fires
12Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (62.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine complaints here are 5.3× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 132 · 62.9% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 31 · 14.8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 16 · 7.6% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 11 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 22V031000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 11 · 5.2% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 · 3.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 210 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 1 campaign
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“Car Insurence informed us that the Car is Missing the engine anti-theft interlock system and no Dealership is not responding, I have COPD and can…”NHTSA complaint 11544178 — filed 09/12/2023 · ENGINE
“My 2018 Kia Soul is guzzling oil even after an oil consumption test and a head gasket and valve cover gasket replacement. We are using…”NHTSA complaint 11528294 — filed 06/22/2023 · ENGINE
“My engine failed on the I-74 due to excessive oil usage that the original owner reported to Cronin Kia at 38,911 miles.The engine was never…”NHTSA complaint 11527858 — filed 06/20/2023 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Soul?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 132 of 210 NHTSA complaints (62.9%), followed by power train (31), unspecified/other issues (29), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2018 Kia Soul have?
210 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2018 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 22V031000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 Kia Soul's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
