Kia Soul

2018 only

281 classified complaints 1 recall

104,709 sold in the US for 2018.

27 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2018 Kia Soul have 281 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 1 recall. The most common issue in this year is Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically surfacing around 78,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2018 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Kia Soul report for every year combined.

Where this year fits

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Complaints filed per individual model year — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2018 only

Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings) · Engine 101 complaints · 9.6/10k sold

Median onset: 78,000 miles. 1.0% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Oil consumption and leaks · Engine 72 complaints · 6.9/10k sold

Median onset: 70,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Wiring harness, grounds and connectors · Electrical 17 complaints · 1.6/10k sold

Median onset: 52,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 15 complaints · 1.4/10k sold

Median onset: 30,500 miles. 66.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Harsh, delayed or erratic shifting · Transmission 13 complaints · 1.2/10k sold

Median onset: 11,000 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 11 complaints · 1.1/10k sold

Median onset: 34,478 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Tie rods, linkage, shaft and column · Steering 6 complaints · 0.6/10k sold

Median onset: 71,985 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $270–$510 nationally.

Spark plugs, coils and ignition · Engine 5 complaints · 0.5/10k sold

Onset mileage not consistently reported.

More common in older model years.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2018 model year. See the full Kia Soul report for every year and full specs/safety data.