2018 Kia Soul Airbags Problems

I am submitting this complaint regarding failure to complete a federally mandated safety recall and the subsequent release of my vehicle in an unsafe condition after prolonged dealer custody. Vehicle Information provided above Safety Recall Information Recall Type: Federal airbag safety recall Recall Notice Received: 2023 Summary of Safety Concern I delivered my vehicle to authorized Kia dealerships for completion of a federally mandated airbag safety recall. The vehicle remained in dealership custody for approximately seven months without completion of the recall. During this period, the dealerships demanded payment for diagnostics and asserted that recall-related issues were “warranty-related” or “customer responsibility,” which effectively blocked completion of the safety recall. Despite my continued communication and willingness to proceed with recall repair, the recall was not completed. Kia declined to authorize repairs necessary to complete the recall. Vehicle Released Unrepaired and Unsafe The dealership ultimately demanded that I remove the vehicle without completing the safety recall. Upon retrieval of the vehicle, I discovered: Missing and/or altered vehicle components Extensive interior water damage These conditions were not present when the vehicle was delivered and occurred while the vehicle was in the dealership’s exclusive custody. The vehicle was released in a materially worse and potentially unsafe condition. Ongoing Safety Risk The federal safety recall remains unresolved. Electrical systems and safety components may be compromised. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate, and repair is no longer a reasonable remedy. Basis for NHTSA Review This complaint concerns: Obstruction and noncompletion of a federal safety recall Improper conditioning of recall repairs on payment Release of a recalled vehicle without repair Potential compromise of safety systems while in dealer custody

NHTSA ID

11710613

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

A Kia franchise dealership demanded payment for diagnostics in order to perform a federal airbag safety recall, which I refused. After the dealer’s involvement, the vehicle’s diagnostic/OBD port became unreadable, preventing recall completion. A second Kia dealer states they cannot complete the recall and wants thousands of dollars just to attempt diagnosis. The vehicle has been out of service for over six months with an open safety recall. I believe the recall process has been obstructed.

NHTSA ID

11708826

Incident

May 12, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11539186

Incident

Aug 9, 2023

There is a recall on the airbag sensor or something. Since I was notified earlier this year, NONE of the KIA dealers are trying to correct the problem. I have been getting the run around about them fixing the problem. Excuses ranges from a 6 month wait to make an appt. to we don't have the part and when it comes in we will schedule an appt. but it has been 11 months and the RECALL hasn't been fixed on my car to this date. Called the manufacturer and they never called me back after waiting on hold for an hour.

NHTSA ID

11495602

Incident

Feb 10, 2022

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 did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact's son-in-law was able to drive the vehicle to the contact's home which was nearby. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that her vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000(AIR BAGS). The vehicle had yet to be inspected or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11468664

Incident

Jun 7, 2022

Mileage

36,000 mi

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 towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and advised the contact that the air bags acted as intended and did not have to deploy. The contact became aware of the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (AIR BAGS). The contact followed with the manufacturer who informed him they could not assist as his VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11451929

Incident

Jul 11, 2020

Mileage

37,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11350865

Incident

Jul 11, 2020

Mileage

37,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11271100

Incident

Oct 17, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

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 25,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11190055

Incident

Jan 13, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11176640

Incident

Feb 8, 2019

Mileage

13,000 mi

BRAKES FAILED. WAS PUMPING PEDLE, NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER AND REARENDED DRIVER INFRONT OF ME AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ID

11113338

Incident

Jul 23, 2018

Mileage

1,200 mi