What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Soul EV?

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (2 complaints), followed by engine (1).

How many 2018 Kia Soul EV complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 3 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2018 Kia Soul EV recalls and problems

3 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia Soul EV.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2018 Kia Soul EV recalls

Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl) · Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 23V724000 · reported October 26, 2023 · Kia America, Inc. · 6,262 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery

NHTSA campaign 23V218000 · reported March 29, 2023 · Kia America, Inc. · 2,689 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
The risk: A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.

Air bags

NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · reported January 25, 2022 · Kia Motors America · 410,619 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system2
Engine1
Power train1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 13, 2023 · Electrical system · 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that the electrical system had experienced power fluctuations, which reduced the charging capacity of the battery to only 8 percent. The EV warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the…

Aug 9, 2023 · Power train · crash reported
This is for 2018 Kia Soul EV. I stopped, placed the car in park and got out. Car then rolled down a hill with no one in the car. Causing an accident.

May 31, 2023 · Electrical system
My 2018 kia soul EV has had a significantly decreased range, inconsistent charging, and a check EV light illuminating periodically. All of these are symptoms of the recall. Kia is not only not giving a timeline to diagnose and repair the problem, they are also charging me a "diagnostic" fee for the recall. I cannot…

Soul EV model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2015	4	6	2	0
2016	4	7	1	0
2017	3	18	0	1
2018	3	3	1	0
2019	3	3	2	0

All Kia Soul EV years →

Questions

Does the 2018 Kia Soul EV have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Soul EV, the most recent reported on October 26, 2023 (Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl), Electrical system: software). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Soul EV?: Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (2 complaints), followed by engine (1).
How many 2018 Kia Soul EV complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 3 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 13, 2023.