2018 Kia Soul Safety Report

The 2018 Kia Soul presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its real-world reliability and potential for catastrophic mechanical failures are concerning. With 199 total complaints, including 14 crashes, 13 fires, 12 injuries, and 1 death, the volume and severity of reported issues are notable for a vehicle of its age. The most dominant complaint pattern revolves around the engine, accounting for 90 complaints, frequently detailing sudden power loss, excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, and complete engine seizure, which directly contributed to fires and crashes. This suggests a significant design or manufacturing flaw in the engine. Recall history for the 2018 Kia Soul includes one recall related to the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU), which could prevent airbags from deploying as intended, increasing injury risk in a crash. Several complaints specifically mention difficulties or refusal by dealerships to complete this federal airbag recall, raising concerns about recall compliance and consumer safety. The high number of engine-related complaints, some leading to fires and complete vehicle failure on highways, starkly contrasts with the strong crash test performance, indicating that while the vehicle may protect occupants well in a crash, the likelihood of experiencing a dangerous mechanical failure leading to a crash or stranding is elevated. Overall, the 2018 Kia Soul demonstrates strong passive safety features as evidenced by its NHTSA crash ratings. However, the pervasive and severe engine issues, coupled with reports of recall non-compliance, paint a picture of significant active safety and reliability concerns. The high incidence of engine failures, often without warning, poses a substantial risk to drivers, potentially leading to loss of motive power at speed, fires, and subsequent crashes. The 90 engine complaints, 13 fires, and 1 death underscore the seriousness of these mechanical deficiencies.

Our recommendation: Given the high incidence of severe engine failures, excessive oil consumption, and reports of recall non-compliance, potential buyers should proceed with extreme caution and thoroughly investigate the vehicle's service history, especially regarding engine maintenance and recall completion, and consider a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic specializing in Kia engines.