2018 Kia Soul Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 219 owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Soul. The EPA rates it 27 to 28 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 1
- Owner complaints
- 219
- Crashes / fires reported
- 14 / 14
- EPA combined
- 27–28 MPG
2018 Kia Soul recalls
Air BagsJan 25, 2022 · NHTSA 22V031000+
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury 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.
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.
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2018 Kia Soul problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Engine141
- Power Train31
- Unknown or Other30
- Electrical System19
- Fuel/Propulsion System11
- Air Bags11
- Engine and Engine Cooling9
- Vehicle Speed Control8
2018 Kia Soul gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM7) | 26 | 31 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Soul | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Soul | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Soul | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 24 | 30 | 27 | $2,400 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2018 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Kia Soul, most recently for the air bags (Jan 25, 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Soul problems?
Owners filed 219 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (141), power train (31), unknown or other (30).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Soul get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Kia Soul at 27 to 28 MPG combined (best version: 26 city / 31 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.