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EnginePart report

2018 Kia Soul Engine Problems

Complaints
142about this part
Share
65%of 220 total for the year
Median mileage
70,812miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 142 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Kia Soul, 65% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,812 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I got told by a Kia mecanic well at least seen it on my dash cam that I am sol that my ticking problem is an engine defect on Kia's part that is causing engine issues as well as somehow making my enginerev extremely high while starting up and sometimes throughout the day to the point if I don't have my brakes on I will go through a wall . …”

NHTSA complaint #11354380, filed 2020-09, 40,000 miles

“I was driving on the highway for about 5 mins and my Kia SOUL made a rattling noise than 200 ft later my car was on the side of the road and the engine is gone according to Kia dealership and gave no warning ⚠️ lights on the dash and engine just cut off”

NHTSA complaint #11386695, filed 2021-01, 68,000 miles

“The engine is burning a TON of oil and I have to put 5 quarts in every 2-3 months. I also found oil when I pulled the 2nd and 3rd spark plugs (from left to right). I checked the engine again and it’s bone dry.”

NHTSA complaint #11571322, filed 2024-02, 113,783 miles

“On 7/8/20, my car made a very loud noise and shut off on me. No sensors, no lights came on. I had it towed to the Kia in which I purchased it from, and they told me my engine blew. My warranty was suppose to cover the repairs but they are refusing to cover the repair.”

NHTSA complaint #11338396, filed 2020-07, 35 miles

“I was driving my 2018 Kia SOUL on madison hwy in valdosta,ga.l saw smoke coming out my hood so I was able to pull into a convenient store ! The people in the store came running out with fire extinguishers and we were able to put out the fire.”

NHTSA complaint #11362515, filed 2020-10, 52,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
2024517%
20231426%
20225457%
202113958%
202024563%
20198864%
201814265%
201719170%
201656169%
201563170%
201455461%
201328643%
201221041%
20112412%
201097%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Soul

Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology