2018 Kia Soul Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 220 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2018 Kia Soul, 4% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,500 miles. 2 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“Two incidences of deceleration..one caused me to exit freeway onto the frontage road.. One inspection at dealership after 2nd incident stated nothing found ...had I been surrounded by vehicles front and rear, I and others could have been involved in a serious accident...I was able to get off the frontage road onto a shoulder. …”
NHTSA complaint #11210516, filed 2019-05, 1,000 miles“When my wife was stopped in a school parking lot with my foot on the brake preparing to back into a parking space the car suddenly accelerated. I ran into a parked car and the only way I could get it to stop was to turn the car off. Me, our daughter and son all have had a surging issue but was always a minor issue. This is a very dangerous issue and Kia needs to address the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11277080, filed 2019-10, 45,000 miles“On several occasions now the vehicle has sped up on its own while parked. Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake but as soon as I let go of the brake, it went fast without my peddle on the gas. I stopped it with the break peddle and it did it again once I let go of the brake peddle. It usually takes a couple of times for the car not to do that. Also, the oil light hasn't warned me that the oil is low. The motor began rattling while I was near work and I stopped the vehicle. Someone helped me and told me that there was barely any oil in the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11433904, filed 2021-09“I have a 2018 Kia SOUL+ and recently there is a burning smell coming from the car especially when the A/C is on. I took my car to the dealer regarding the problem, but was told that they did not see anything wrong or smell anything burning on the car. The problem happens mostly while driving on the highway. I'm afraid that the car is going to catch on fire. The car also loses power while driving ex. I can be driving 60 miles and all of a sudden the car starts to decrease in speed and you have to rave up the car to get it going again. Not good at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11343985, filed 2020-08Related service bulletins
- 10205425Dec 2, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10200550Aug 24, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 6% |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% |
| 2020 | 14 | 4% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 33 | 4% |
| 2015 | 30 | 3% |
| 2014 | 31 | 3% |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Soul
142 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 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