2018 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 40owner reports
- 74,000median miles
- $8,817median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jul 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
169 of the 218 complaints on this car are about the engine. 40 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 40 reports
Stalling 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
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ignition coil or plugs (4 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
6 of the 40 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,960 to $8,817.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 64,700 and 104,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Around 65000 miles, While driving the engine just lost power and started knocking. There are a lot of forums with the same model with the same compliant and issue. even the Kia dealship says there is a problem with these engines. They are recommending a new engine I am afraid to have my family in this car.”
Filed Aug 10, 2021 · 65,000 miles
“While driving to work my engine began to knock, my oil light flickered and went out, and then I completely lost power. I took my 2018 Kia soul to a local mechanic and he confirmed that my engine was blown and would need to be replaced with only 78,388 miles on my vehicle.”
Filed Jun 24, 2021 · 78,388 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 40 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 73 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 40 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 37 reports