NHTSA vehicle safety data
2018 Kia Soul EV Recalls & Complaints
The 2018 Kia Soul EV has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Kia Soul EV. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2018 Kia Soul EV owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Soul EV, describing incidents dated May 29, 2023 to September 1, 2023.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Engine 1 complaint
- Power Train 1 complaint
Of the 3 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11554850 · Filed
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…
ODI #11537405 · Filed
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.
ODI #11524680 · Filed
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Kia Soul EV in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Recall Query RQ23-005: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed January 16, 2024
- Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
Unintended Movement Due to Damaged Park Mechanism
NHTSA #23V724000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice
Reported October 26, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 6,262 vehicles
Repair completion: 62.68% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC287 · Owners notified December 21, 2023 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
High-Voltage Battery Pack May Short-Circuit
NHTSA #23V218000 · Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery · NHTSA notice
Reported March 29, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 2,689 vehicles
Repair completion: 79.14% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC267 · Owners notified August 18, 2023
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Air Bags May Not Deploy
NHTSA #22V031000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice
Reported January 25, 2022 · Kia Motors America
Potentially affected: 410,619 vehicles
Repair completion: 65.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC226 · Owners notified March 21, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Other Kia Soul EV model years
Check your 2018 Kia Soul EV VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Soul EV at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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