The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Soul · 2018

2018 Kia Soul. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index69100 = average car
Complaints76NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold104,709U.S. model year
Per 100K sold73complaints
Year rank#8 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD24 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)FWD26 / 31 / 28Regular$2,200
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
ElectricAuto (A1)FWD124 / 93 / 108Electricity$700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,000 and 84,000 miles. Median 54,100, from 79 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine70,80060,200–99,60036
Transmission & drivetrain33,0008,300–60,00013
Electrical59,00047,400–70,0007
Airbags36,00013,000–37,0007
Engine97,50074,800–125,2008

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine45%
Transmission & drivetrain18%
Speed control9%
Electrical8%
Airbags7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
219141410125

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 22V031000 Jan 2022 Air Bags

    Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

    Risk. Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Manufacturer communications 95

Kia filed 95 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • SERVICE ACTION: 1.6L TURBO OIL FEED PIPE GASKET REPLACEMENT (SA349) - This bulletin provides
  • CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
  • P/hev no start ?

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Soul SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Kia Soul EV SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20156695147,133Engine
201681118145,768Engine
20174863115,712Engine
20186976104,709Engine
2019343498,033Engine
202029321071,862Engine
2021956975,126Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data