Model year guide

2018 Kia Soul

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Kia Soul is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 46 on record.

2018 Kia Soul — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Kia Soul at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints205
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$15,316

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2018 Kia Soul recalls 1

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #22V031000 · 25/01/2022

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2018 Kia Soul common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Lane Departure
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2018 Kia Soul MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,275

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2018 Kia Soul worth?

Low
$11,888
Typical price
$15,316
High
$18,995

From 31 comparable 2018 Kia Soul listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,375
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,750
Total$16,125
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($15,316) with the same model 5 model-years older ($10,589), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Kia Soul trims & engines on record

Trims
Plus · Base · Exclaim · EV/EV -e
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 161 hp · 1.6L 4-cyl 130 hp · 1.6L 4-cyl 201 hp

2018 Kia Soul vehicles on record

2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul BaseKNDJN2A23J7891704 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A5XJ7594827 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul BaseKNDJN2A2XJ7568668 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul EV/EV -eKNDJP3AE6J7026753 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A58J7592011 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A54J7511716 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A53J7558333 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul BaseKNDJN2A20J7533721 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A53J7536235 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A59J7596908 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A50J7554580 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A58J7898612 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A5XJ7612209 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A51J7890982 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A51J7566334 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A59J7518080 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A50J7517996 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A58J7583003 2018 Kia Soul BaseKNDJN2A22J7606538 2018 Kia Soul BaseKNDJN2A20J7591506 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJX3AA3J7537303 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Kia Soul PlusKNDJP3A55J7528573 2018 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJX3AA6J7539286 2018 Kia Soul BaseKNDJN2A29J7558116

Other Kia Soul model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

2018 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2018 Kia Soul at about 27 mpg combined (25 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2018 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2018 Kia Soul listings run roughly $11,888–$18,995, typically around $15,316 (from 31 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.