2018 Kia Soul Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 220 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the fuel system of the 2018 Kia Soul, 5% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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“From a stop, the vehicle has a significant hesitation pulling away from a stop sign/redlight etc. As you pushing the gas pedal down, it hesitates then accelerates hard. Has 340 miles on it at this time. Dealer and Kia state this is normal for the new transmission/turbo design. Even the service manager was shocked when he drove it saying he would not have bought it. I would think this problem could be resolved with a programming update. My concern for safety is to part: 1st, anticipating the vehicle may go when in fact it hesitated to pull off creates an anticipation event. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113971, filed 2018-07, 340 miles“Car stalled in the middle of the road while driving. Took it in to dealer ship for a recall to get this repaired or flashed. Engine burning excessive oil. Car has always been kept up with maintenance. While operating the vehicle the car stalled due to low oil compression. Vehicle has aprox 155k miles. Check engine light has came on. Due to the issue that car engine is burning oil there is a new permanent code p0420 which is a bad catalyc converter since the cars emission system is failing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11585805, filed 2024-04, 155,000 miles“Engine control system is STILL faulty. The engine light will not go off, even after the so called recall Software fix and the brand new engine put in my car in 2025 among other MULTIPLE brand new parts and repairs to my car trying to resolve the engine issue, oil consumption and fuel/gas consumption at rapid and alarming rate, every time after I fill my gas tank.”
NHTSA complaint #11746423, filed 2026-06“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 a quart of synthetic blend oil every 500 miles. We cannot be the only people with this complaint!! Vehicle has less than 95,000 miles on it. The Kia Dealership in Clarksville, TN has been the only place to work on our vehicle since buying it a little over one year ago. Said vehicle has been guzzling oil since day one of our purchase.”
NHTSA complaint #11528294, filed 2023-06Related service bulletins
- 10183327Nov 4, 2020SC190 - EMISSION SERVICE CAMPAIGN -OWNER LETTER - This document is notice to owners advising that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to…
- 10183331Nov 2, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 1.6L T-GDI AUXILIARY CANISTER INSTALLATION (SC190) - This bulletin provides the procedure on the installation of an add-on auxiliary canister on some…
- 10183330Nov 2, 2020SC190_STICKER - This document is the Completion Sticker that will get affixed under the hood of vehicles requiring certification that the campaign has been completed.
- 10183329Nov 2, 2020Sc190 - emission service campaign : proof of correction card
- 10183328Nov 2, 2020SC190 - EMISSION SERVICE CAMPAIGN - QA - This document is a Question and Answer document with information regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to install an…
- 10183326Nov 2, 2020SC190 - EMISSION SERVICE CAMPAIGN - DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER LETTER - This document is notice to dealer parts and service managers advising that Kia Motors America, Inc…
- 10183325Nov 2, 2020SC190 - EMISSION SERVICE CAMPAIGN - DEALER PRINCIPAL LETTER - This document is notice to dealer principals that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 10162048Jun 11, 2019TSB: AIR DRAIN CASE REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the Air Drain Case on some…
- 10152915Jan 18, 2019TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 11 | 5% |
| 2020 | 16 | 4% |
| 2019 | 15 | 11% |
| 2018 | 11 | 5% |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 | 84 | 10% |
| 2015 | 79 | 9% |
| 2014 | 57 | 6% |
| 2013 | 30 | 4% |
| 2012 | 23 | 4% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Soul
142 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsAir bags
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 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