2018 Kia Soul: hesitation when accelerating

Filed May 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · DC

I am writing to report safety concerns regarding my 2018 Kia Soul Plus. I have been experiencing several engine issues, including knocking noises, hesitation during acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and an active check engine light. Recently, while driving with my daughter, the vehicle began shaking and the check engine light flashed three times. Although I strictly adhere to the recommended maintenance schedule, these issues persist. My mechanic identified code P0455, but a smoke test did not reveal a leak. Additionally, despite having a full tune-up in August [2025] at 105,636 miles, I am being told I require another tune-up due to engine misfires. I am concerned about the frequency of these repairs and the overall safety of the vehicle’s engine.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · DC

Description of the Problem: My 2018 Kia Soul has a recurring and unresolved safety issue involving sudden loss of power while driving. The check-engine light repeatedly comes on, and at times the vehicle will hesitate or lose acceleration unexpectedly, creating a risk of being unable to maintain speed in traffic. Chronology: This issue has been occurring for over a year. I have taken the vehicle to the Kia dealership multiple times for the same problem. Each time, the dealership has either been unable to diagnose the cause or has returned the vehicle stating the issue was repaired, but the problem returns within weeks. Most recently, the dealership kept the vehicle for over a month and still could not identify or resolve the cause of the power loss or the recurring check-engine light. They then instructed me to pick up the car and drive it until the warning light comes back on, despite my reporting that the vehicle loses power while driving and is unsafe to operate. Safety Concern: The loss of power happens without warning and can leave me unable to accelerate or maintain speed. This has made it unsafe to drive in normal traffic conditions, such as merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I cannot safely operate the vehicle in its current condition. Attempts to Resolve: All service has been performed at the same Kia dealership since the car was purchased new. Despite multiple repair visits, including a month-long stay at the dealership, the problem remains unresolved. Kia Customer Care has been contacted, but the issue continues with no effective resolution or repair. Reason for the federal safety agency Complaint: Because the malfunction involves sudden power loss and repeated failure of the authorized dealership to diagnose or repair the issue, I am reporting this as a potential safety defect. I am concerned that this may reflect a broader problem affecting this vehicle model.

Filed Dec 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · DE

While driving to work in my 2018 Kia soul on 10/16/21 vehicle has a significant hesitation pulling away from a stop sign/red-light. A very slight knocking noise could be heard. the oil light flickered on and then immediately went off. Next thing I know while doing 65 on the highway the oil, engine, and battery lights all lit up then suddenly power to the vehicle was gone! I managed to get the vehicle off the highway onto the shoulder of the road where I watched smoke pouring out of the engine bay. My vehicle only has 69059 miles. the 2.0L motor that is subject to many other recalls and issues is the same as what is in my Soul. . I've only had this car for less than two years! KIA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Transmission · 36,269 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 kia soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to towbin kia located at 260 n gibson rd, henderson, nv 89014, 702) 567-8000, 4 times to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced twice. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,269.

Filed Sep 25, 2019 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 kia soul. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently hesitated after a stop. The contact also stated that, occasionally, the accelerator pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard and the vehicle did not accelerate. There was no warning indicator illuminated. When the contact released the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to bill bryan kia (352‑431‑2354, located at 9039 us-441, leesburg, fl 34788) where the technician test drove the vehicle and found no failures. The dealer stated that the vehicle performed as designed. The technician cleaned the turbo, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the dealer test drove the vehicle and found no failures. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Transmission · 5,600 miles · SC

My 2018 soul has an automatic transmission and from early on after I bought it "new" last year "08/30/2018" the transmission started acting up for no apparent reason. What it does comes out of nowhere it will not speed up when you give it the gas. It hesitates for just a brief second then it moves slower than normal. This happens from a dead stop and while driving in traffic too. It will go along driving perfectly for a while then without any reason it will act sluggish and or stumbles. It can happen when it is cold or well warmed up and in all traffic conditions. The end result is it makes the car dangerous to drive because the person driving does not expect it to falter at very inordinate times. One tends to forget about the problem and then boom your heart skips a beat because you just drove yourself into a potentially dangerous traffic situation. My car now has 5,600 miles and the dealer is just giving me the runaround regarding the problem. I have checked on the internet "kia forums" and I am far from the only owner to have this dangerous problem. It is like having unreliable brakes. The drivability is unpredictable!

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 340 miles · SC

From a stop, the vehicle has a significant hesitation pulling away from a stop sign/redlight etc. As you pushing the gas pedal down, it hesitates then accelerates hard. Has 340 miles on it at this time. Dealer and kia state this is normal for the new transmission/turbo design. Even the service manager was shocked when he drove it saying he would not have bought it. I would think this problem could be resolved with a programming update. My concern for safety is to part: 1st, anticipating the vehicle may go when in fact it hesitated to pull off creates an anticipation event. 2nd, the hard acceleration when it engages could result in rear-ending someone. The attached documents represent the work order and description of the new transmission. This is a bulletin explaining the drivability concerns, however, it does not reflect the hesitation issue.