2018 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 37owner reports
- 98,000median miles
- $6,437median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
156 of the 218 complaints on this car are about the engine. 37 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Misfire on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
12 of the 37 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,000 to $8,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 68,170 and 126,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2018 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equipped with the engines listed below, which may set DTC P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 after an engine replacement.
What owners wrote
“Engine is loosing oil into the #2 cylinder, causing an damage to the downstream exhaust. Once the cylinder fills with oil, the care immediately drops in operation speed causing significant driver response and immediately surrounding vehicles”
Filed Oct 24, 2025
“Low compression on cylinder 3 and 4 and the car only has 40,000 miles on it. It's not covered in warranty because it's a 2018 model but I've only had the car for 1.5 years and still owe 18,000 on it and I'm a officer and a single mother and can't afford to let the car go back when Kia knows these cars have engine issues and low compression engine problems.”
Filed Oct 8, 2025 · 40,000 miles
“Check engine light flashing and began to lose exceleration. Pulled off the highway and vehicle died. Unable to start it. Told that the engine is bad by a mechanic.”
Filed Aug 17, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 37 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 73 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 40 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 40 reports