Vehicles · Insights

2018 Kia Soul

2018 Kia Soul: engine complaints dominate

Owners filed 205 complaints with NHTSA. Engine is the standout area at 63% of all reports (129 of them) and accounts for 10 of the 12 reported fires. Power train comes a distant second (30 reports, 15%). The air bag complaints are far fewer (11, 5%) but the most severe per report, tied to 8 crashes and 8 injuries. No deaths are reported in any category.

Most reported areas

Engine safety 63%
By far the biggest complaint area: 129 reports (63%), with 10 fires and 1 crash but no reported injuries. The fires make this the one to inspect most closely.
Power Train0 15%
The second most reported area: 30 reports (15%), with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
Electrical System safety 9%
18 reports (9%), tied to 2 fires and 1 crash, with no reported injuries.
Air Bags safety 5%
Only 11 reports (5%), but the most serious per report: 8 crashes and 8 injuries, the most of any area. Worth a close look despite the low count.
Fuel/Propulsion System safety 5%
10 reports (5%), with 1 crash and no fires or reported injuries.

Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 205 complaints

Track maintenance, recalls, and costs for your Kia, and see this inside the app.

Get Garage Story Maintenance schedule

General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only, not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Studio AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.