The 2018 Kia Soul has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 410,619 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 285 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS22V0310002022-01-25410,619 affected
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
131
1crashes10fires
POWER TRAIN
31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
28
2crashes4fires1deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16
1crashes2fires
AIR BAGS
11
8crashes8injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7
2crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
6
1crashes
STEERING
5
1injuries
Total complaints285
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I am losing the engines oil every 500 miles. It is an ongoing problem and I have to check my oil on a regular basis so the engine does not seize or catch fire as my mechanic has instructed/alerted me to do.”
“On [xxx], my 2018 kia soul (vin [xxx] ) displayed dtc p1326 with a blinking check engine light and went into limp mode. Ray’s automotive documented p1326 in writing, added oil, and cleared the light only to allow safe transport. At greenway kia (avenues), they charged $199 and refused to create…”
“On [xxx], my 2018 kia soul (vin [xxx] ) displayed dtc p1326 with a blinking check engine light and went into limp mode. Ray’s automotive documented p1326 in writing, added oil, and cleared the light only to allow safe transport. At greenway kia (avenues), they charged $199 and refused to create…”
“The abs/traction warning lights came on. On april 29,2026, I took it to beck and masten group 1 kia intomball, texas and they diagnosed as hecu failure. The repair cost $2377.16. Kia corporate denied reimbursement. Lights were resolved after hecu replacement. There was no accident/injury/fire.…”
“The abs/traction warning lights came on. On april 29,2026, I took it to beck and masten group 1 kia intomball, texas and they diagnosed as hecu failure. The repair cost $2377.16. Kia corporate denied reimbursement. Lights were resolved after hecu replacement. There was no accident/injury/fire.…”
“The abs/traction warning lights came on. On april 29,2026, I took it to beck and masten group 1 kia intomball, texas and they diagnosed as hecu failure. The repair cost $2377.16. Kia corporate denied reimbursement. Lights were resolved after hecu replacement. There was no accident/injury/fire.…”
“I am writing to report safety concerns regarding my 2018 kia soul plus. I have been experiencing several engine issues, including knocking noises, hesitation during acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and an active check engine light. Recently, while driving with my daughter, the vehicle…”
“I am writing to report safety concerns regarding my 2018 kia soul plus. I have been experiencing several engine issues, including knocking noises, hesitation during acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and an active check engine light. Recently, while driving with my daughter, the vehicle…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Kia Soul as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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