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Exterior lightingPart report

2018 Kia Soul Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
2%of 220 total for the year
Median mileage
30,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Kia Soul, 2% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,250 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“Usually after a rainy night or when there is dew in the morning, with the vehicle in park and stationary at my home, the head lights will not turn on and the windshield/back glass wipers will not work. After turning the wipers on and off several times they may come on for a moment and then will not operate again. Dealer has been unable to duplicate issue twice so far. Has less than 6000 miles on it. It is now dark when I am leaving for work and this is a huge safety issue since I can not drive it with out head lights. …”

NHTSA complaint #11144286, filed 2018-10, 5,500 miles

“My vehicle recall is to do with electrical issue that not only may have affected the air bag, but the electrical system shorting that’s burning the bulb holders that holds all of the brake and tail lights bulbs on this vehicle. These brand new bulbs consistently burn or short out within 1 to 2 weeks. This expense has grown expeditiously over the years of ownership, and because there is nothing in the information center to warn us, we are constantly due to no fault of our own, unknowingly driving with no brake light. …”

NHTSA complaint #11612062, filed 2024-09

“My KIA Soul 2018 caught on file while driving. The whole engine was in flames. I didn't want to die because my car has a manufacturing issue that KIA was not aware about. The dealership I've purchased the car from denied to give me a copy of the mechanical inspection done at the dealership Stonebriar Chevrolet in Frisco, TX. The flames started under the car and made its way to the engine, smoke was coming from the AC vents. People were able to put the fire down before it got to the gas tank. Due to the seriousness of the damage, the car stopped working and we left it on the side of the road.”

NHTSA complaint #11730985, filed 2026-04

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025433%
202426%
202347%
202163%
202062%
201954%
201842%
201710%
2016182%
2015364%
201413014%
2013102%
2012102%
2011137%
201032%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Soul

Engine
142 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Engine cooling
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Visibility (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 31, 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