2018 KIA SOUL Electrical System Problems

A Kia franchise dealership demanded payment for diagnostics in order to perform a federal airbag safety recall, which I refused. After the dealer’s involvement, the vehicle’s diagnostic/OBD port became unreadable, preventing recall completion. A second Kia dealer states they cannot complete the recall and wants thousands of dollars just to attempt diagnosis. The vehicle has been out of service for over six months with an open safety recall. I believe the recall process has been obstructed.

I thought my headlights needed cleaning because they are blurry instead of clear. As I am cleaning the headlights I tree that both of my headlights have micro cracks throughout the entire headlights This is not chips in the headlights it is literally Toni look cracks

My engine under, the 2018 KIA Soul Engine Recall, first problem was on October 2023 when it arrived at the dealership with 'no oil'. The mechanic said for KIA to replace the engine. At this time they also found 'sludge' for the first time. I had done my oil changes at the dealership and the most current was August 2023; 2000 miles prior. KIA extended my 100k miles engine warranty to 150k miles. Since, I have experienced excessive oil consumption and firing of the engine. In December 2024, the engine light went on. The KIA mechanic said the engine must be replaced. This time I had a problem finding two maintenance receipts. KIA refused to honor the warranty. The dealership refused to work more on the car. In March 2025, the car began to fire large bangs, then much smoke and the engine seized. What if I was driving on a busy street when this happened? What if the car caught fire? I towed the car to the dealership. KIA manufacturer refuses to honor the engine warranty. I explained to KIA my car has documented engine problems. The sludge found is part of the engine problem. The car uses excessive oil, the high burning is coagulating in the bottom of the engine causing the sludge. I have followed the scheduled maintenance in the owner's manual. I have been harassed, badgered, called names at the KIA dealership who wants me to take my car away. I told all of them I have a car with a well known and documented engine defect that they must fix. I read the NHTSA 23V-099 recall. My KIA Soul has experienced similar problems according to the descriptions from the KIA mechanic. Because my car does not fall within the specific car description KIA keeps turning me away. I am driving an unreliable and unsafe car on the road. We cannot allow KIA to continue to sell unsafe cars they have no intention to correct. Another problem that began after the October 2023 break is the car has an error that reads, '...the battery is on'. I have replaced 3 Die Hard batteries since. Thank you.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact had to add one quart of oil per week. The battery was replaced on three occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 57 MPH while driving. There was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was no oil in the oil pan, but there was no indication of a leak. The oil light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was limp, and the starter was becoming inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was becoming inoperable, and an engine replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia of Naples (3325 Westview Dr, Naples, FL 34104) for an oil consumption and rod bearing test. The manufacturer was contacted and extended the warranty to 150,000 and declined to replace the engine due to missing maintenance records. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

The brake lights do not work even after they change all of them at the dealership

My vehicle recall is to do with electrical issue that not only may have affected the air bag, but the electrical system shorting that’s burning the bulb holders that holds all of the brake and tail lights bulbs on this vehicle. These brand new bulbs consistently burn or short out within 1 to 2 weeks. This expense has grown expeditiously over the years of ownership, and because there is nothing in the information center to warn us, we are constantly due to no fault of our own, unknowingly driving with no brake light. Having to drive regularly on interstate 4, with traffic stopping warning, this is a great safety concern. Brake light are very very essential driving in sudden stopping traffic. Kia should be liable and responsible for correcting this traffic hazard. Thank you notes.

The contact’s daughter owned a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 65 MPH, another driver honked the horn to inform the driver of an issue with the vehicle. The contact was informed to pull over. The contact stated that the vehicle started jerking and the driver started seeing smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that her daughter’s hair was singed by the fire. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated once the driver saw smoke coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled over off the highway and exited the vehicle and saw smoke coming from under the vehicle before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced and there were no issues found with the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. The contact was unsure whether a Fire report or a Police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed from the scene and was deemed totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

Car stalled in the middle of the road while driving. Took it in to dealer ship for a recall to get this repaired or flashed. Engine burning excessive oil. Car has always been kept up with maintenance. While operating the vehicle the car stalled due to low oil compression. Vehicle has aprox 155k miles. Check engine light has came on. Due to the issue that car engine is burning oil there is a new permanent code p0420 which is a bad catalyc converter since the cars emission system is failing. Car has been sitting at home for about 1 month or longer as we don’t drive it and are still financing the vehicle

Mileage: 155,000

My Goddaughter has had random starting problems with the 2018 Kia Soul plus, that I bought her. If you turn the key you hear a click but it won't start until you try several times. She has had to get a jump on occasions. We bought a new battery, thinking that was the problem, but that didn't solve the issue. Taken car to the dealership several times, but they say that they can't find a problem. She get nervous everytime she goes somewhere and cut the car off, thinking she's gonna get stranded. I'm afraid for her, getting out there at night time that car not starting for her. Researching this issue online, I found out that this is an issue that numerous people have complained about, an addressed the issue as well. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed by Kia. Thinking about trading her Kia Soul, and buying her something more reliable.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The mechanic performed an oil consumption test and determined that the coil packs, spark plugs, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the dealer decided to not conduct another oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

Mileage: 59,000

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The mechanic performed an oil consumption test and determined that the coil packs, spark plugs, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the dealer decided to not conduct another oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

Mileage: 59,000

Buyer beware, DO NOT PURCHASE A KIA. Kept up with oil changes on the car. Purchased used in 2019 at 45k miles. While driving from work car just stopped working, and engine and oil light turned on. Electrical was working replaced battery maybe two months earlier. Wasn’t due for an oil change. Took car to a mechanic who said it was low on oil which seemed odd. Also replaced brake pads and rotors. $1000 later the car starts making a horrible rattling sound and the oil light and engine light turn on and car almost immediately dies. Took car to dealership, engine is done. This is happening to ALL of Kias cars that are being put on to the market. These cars are STILL being sold and they are all very much aware that these engines are bad. An entire decade of BAD ENGINES from Kia. And they are doing nothing. NOTHING. No recalls on this car. So now I am f*****. I have had this car for TWO years and it is only THREE years old and the engine is DONE. How is nothing being done about this???? Why are our voices being ignored?? There are complaints on this page with this EXACT issue. Why aren’t these cars being recalled?? I had my boyfriend and 3 dogs in the car, what if my car had caught on fire like their other crappy cars they have put out? Would I just be another person murdered by Kia and no one does a thing about it? (Allegedly)

I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 KIA SOUL ON MADISON HWY IN VALDOSTA,GA.L SAW SMOKE COMING OUT MY HOOD SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A CONVENIENT STORE ! THE PEOPLE IN THE STORE CAME RUNNING OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND WE WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.

Mileage: 52,000

CAR CONSISTENTLY WON'T START AS IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD. WILL START ONCE BATTERY IS JUMPED. BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR TESTS COME BACK FINE.

Mileage: 47,434

I HAVE A 2018 KIA SOUL+ AND RECENTLY THERE IS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG OR SMELL ANYTHING BURNING ON THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CAR ALSO LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING EX. I CAN BE DRIVING 60 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS TO DECREASE IN SPEED AND YOU HAVE TO RAVE UP THE CAR TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. NOT GOOD AT ALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE BLOCKED AND EMERGENCY BRAKE BLOCKED MESSAGES DISPLAYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED RON TONKIN KIA (19335 SE MCLOUGHLIN BLVD, GLADSTONE, OR 97027, (503) 258-5808), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 3,000

WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR THE KEY WON'T COME OUT IF IT'S RAINING YOU GET WET AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START AND THE REMOTE DON'T WORK. YOU SMELL GAS WHILE YOU DRIVING.