2018 Kia Soul Service and Repair Manual
Kia built the 2018 Soul in eight trims across three engines — a 2.0L four, a 1.6L naturally aspirated four and a 1.6L turbo — and the three are not interchangeable under the hood, so work on one has to follow the figures Kia published for that exact year, engine and trim rather than a neighboring model year.
Engines covered
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door hatchback
Trims covered
- Base
- EX
- EX Pack
- Exclaim
- LX
- Plus
- SX
- SXL
Known issues on the 2018 Soul. One recall is on federal record for this model year, and it concerns the air bags: Kia is recalling certain 2017-2019 Soul vehicles because the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip, and air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Owners have filed 279 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 75 technical service bulletins.
From tracing an air bag warning lamp to servicing the 1.6L turbo or working through a routine maintenance interval, this manual keeps you on Kia's own procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2018 Soul.
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.
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indi
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107 Flight 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2019 MY Kia So
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder pro
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicate
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components, including inspection/replacement of the
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC334) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC334.
Showing the 8 most recent of 94 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
During a front end accident the car burst into flames and the driver was trapped and passed away at the scene.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY 11 2020. THE OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND I T-BONED HIM. MY CAR SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. IN THIS ACCIDENT NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
WE WERE HIT IN REAR BY A TRUCK. MY WIFE AND I WENT FORWARD TO ALMOST THE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL, THE BELTS NEVER CAUGHT. I CALLED KIA TALKED TO OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA HE SAID THEY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT. TOOK TO KIA DEALER HAS ADVISED AND THEY SAID IT WORKED FINE. THEY ADJUSTED BECAUSE NOW YOU PULL A LITTLE WAYS THEY LOCK. THE SERVER WRITER SAID THE TECH TOLD HIM THEY WOULD NOT LOCK FOR BEING HIT IN REAR. TALKED TO CALIFORNIA AGAIN THE SAME PERSON AND HE SAID THEY WOULD NOT LOCK BECAUSE WE WENT BACK
I RENTED THIS '18 KIA SOUL FROM HERTZ. ON 10/17 AT 9 PM I WAS INVOLVED IN A SOLO VERY HARD FRONT END COLLISION WITH A LARGE BOULDER ON A CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN HWY. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SIDE ONES DID FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BECAUSE I WASN'T WEARING A SEAT BELT I ENDED UP HAVING SERIOUS HEAD TRAUMA AS WELL AS OTHER BRUISES. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS IN THE POSSESSION OF HERTZ RENT-A-CAR.
I was involved in a high speed car accident last week where the impact made me hit my head on the steering wheel. My air bags never deployed even though the other driver was going at least 70mph. My vehicle is a total loss.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into the front end of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact which caused the contact to hit her chest on the steering wheel. The contact was treated by EMTs at the scene of the accident and was later taken to the emergency room by her daughter. The contact was treated for pain and soreness to her sternum. The other driver was not injured and
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED IN HALF. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NERVE DAMAGE TO THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2
The contact owned a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH in an intersection, another vehicle ran the red light, causing his vehicle to crash into the passenger side of the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit the vehicle on his own. The contact sought medical assistance the next day and was diagnosed with a ruptured disk on his neck and lower back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was
I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT ON A CROSS STREET INTERSECTION AT A STOP SIGN I LOOKED BOTH WAYS NO VEHICLE ON SITE UNTIL I STARTED TO CROSS OVER WHEN A DRIVER SPEAD DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT ME THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE SOUL IS GONE THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED (NOT EVEN ONE DEPLOYED). I SUSTAINED CHEST INJURY AND BREAST INJURY I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL AND CHECKED FOR CHEST PAINS XRAYS REVEALED INTERNAL BRUISES. MY CHEST BREAST AND PART OF MY STOMACH ARE BLACK AND BLUE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS IN GEAR. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWE
WHEN MY WIFE WAS STOPPED IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PREPARING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I RAN INTO A PARKED CAR AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT TO STOP WAS TO TURN THE CAR OFF. ME, OUR DAUGHTER AND SON ALL HAVE HAD A SURGING ISSUE BUT WAS ALWAYS A MINOR ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
BRAKES FAILED. WAS PUMPING PEDLE, NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER AND REARENDED DRIVER INFRONT OF ME AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
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 h
I WAS SITTING AT A JACKS DRIVE THROUGH WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS ON. MY CAR WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. IT PLOWED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE REESE HITCH ON HIS TRUCK WENT THROUGH MY BUMPER. THERE WAS NO INJURY.
CITY STREET. WAS TEST DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AT THE LOWER BACK END OF THE ENGINE.
Showing the 15 most serious of 213 complaints filed with NHTSA.
