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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2018 Kia Soul Ev
Common Problems

Ranked from 83 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

1
Safety
9
High severity
3
Medium
1 problem on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

13 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Engine Excessive Oil Consumption

    21complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine failure.

    $400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  2. 2

    Engine Stalling and Loss of Power

    21complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine frequently stalls and loses power, sometimes requiring roadside assistance.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  3. 3

    Engine Light Illumination and Malfunction

    19complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The check engine light frequently illuminates due to various malfunctions, often requiring repairs or replacements.

  4. 4

    Engine Knocking Noise and Failure

    15complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine produces a knocking noise and experiences failure, often requiring engine replacement.

  5. 5

    Engine Seizure and Failure

    13complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine has seized or failed completely, requiring immediate and expensive repairs or replacements.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  6. 6

    Electrical System Issues with Lighting

    12complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    The electrical system causes issues with lighting, including brake lights and tail lights burning out quickly.

    Related recall: 23V218000

  7. 7

    Engine Control System Malfunction

    6complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine control system malfunctions, leading to persistent issues such as check engine light and performance problems.

  8. 8

    Airbag Deployment Failure During Collision

    3complaints
    Safety riskElectrical

    The airbags fail to deploy during a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

    Related recall: 23V218000

  9. 9

    Engine Failure During Highway Driving

    3complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine fails during highway driving, posing a safety risk to the driver and passengers.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  10. 10

    Engine Knocking and Connecting Rod Failure

    3complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine produces a knocking sound and the connecting rod fails, causing engine failure.

  11. 11

    Transmission Malfunction Leading to Complete Failure

    3complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission malfunctions, leading to complete failure and inability to drive the vehicle.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 23V724000

  12. 12

    Air Bags Not Deploying During Collision

    2complaints
    High severityOther

    Air bags fail to deploy during collisions, leading to potential injury risks.

  13. 13

    Brakes Fail to Function Properly

    2complaints
    High severityBrakes

    The brakes fail to function properly, leading to rear-end collisions and potential injury.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

Other years & sources

2016 Kia Soul Ev2019 Kia Soul EvAll NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.