Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11523003May 20, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle is involved in the vulnerable Kia's lack of a theft immobilizer. I just contacted Kia service to make an appointment for the software update and was advised that my vehicle is not listed on the recall list though I was eligible for a steering wheel lock. I purchased a steering wheel lock in early 2022 because of the news of the KIA vehicle vulnerability due to the tiktok theft instruction video. How can Kia offer recall/software upgrades and exclude the 2013 Kia Soul+? I really would like an explanation. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522957May 19, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The catalytic converter has failed. Even though I got the software update to the converter for the recall, the converter still needs replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522691May 18, 2023
ENGINE
While traveling down 20E around MM83 in South Carolina, the car suddenly lost power and throttled down to around 10-15 miles per hour. Upon having in towed to a garage for a diagnostic, I was told that the catalytic converter had overheated and stalled the vehicle. This appears to be an issue that would be covered under NHTSA Recall 19V120, dated April 12 2019, which reads in part "Under certain conditions, the catalytic converter may become damaged due to overheating caused by an excessive increase of exhaust gas temperatures." The heat scoring on the catalytic converter and the stall are consistent with this kind of behavior. When I contacted the dealer, they denied any such recall existed. I am currently waiting for a response from Kia America, Inc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522706May 18, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH, the hood latched inadvertently released and the hood raised up and struck the windshield, causing the windshield to crack. There was no warning light prior to the failure. The hood and upper frame were dented. There were no reported injuries. The driver slammed the hood closed and continued to drive. The contact's husband noticed that the hood latch was fractured. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact after reviewing the photos which were sent, that the latch was damaged due to the latch being pushed to the side by the owner. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 134,573.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522716May 18, 2023
ENGINE
My car got hot and just stopped on me crazy and I just had work done on my rotates and brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522503May 17, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Bought this vehicle used with 32k miles. Have experienced a judder when accelerating since we purchased it. This a known issue with Kia. I sent it to a dealership and they replaced a fuel injector and said that was the problem, it's not. Got the car back and it is still malfunctioning. This issue was reported on this vehicle previously when it was brand new. I need this issue fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522430May 17, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle to correct the failure. The contact related the failure to the STOP/START feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522392May 16, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving to Bend, Oregon on the highway when suddenly my car started making clunking noises and the oil light and check engine lights came on. I started to lose power and the car was slowing. I immediately managed to pull over, but it gets very dangerous since it was a busy highway. I had the car towed to a mechanic who said the engine blew and needed to be replaced. Kia has denied my warranty claims.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521952May 14, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Brake lamps and park light issues. Wiring harness seems to be overheating causing lamps to keep blowing. No park lights working at all so it seems to be a electrical issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521955May 14, 2023
ENGINE
Engine light flashes every 6 weeks. I have to have my oil checked weekly as it is constantly low despite not apparent leaks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521523May 11, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABS light and traction light
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521373May 10, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The catalytic converter, which is a known issue for Kia Soul models from 2012-2016 has started to show signs of failure- namely code P0420. This is despite having the apparent “fix” as detailed in Kia recall SC176, which was a mere software update. Now that the converter has shown signs of failure, Kia refuses to honor the replacement as stated in the recall since the vehicle is above 80,000 miles. Clearly, the recall did not fix the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521399May 10, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer once again and the crank shaft sensor was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again, but no failure was found, and the contact was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521109May 9, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there was a continual clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle while making a left or right turn. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that after the brake pedal was released, the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521134May 9, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor then the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Valvoline Service Center where an oil change was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, an engine flush, and the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was determined that the vehicle needed to be taken back to Valvoline where the oil change was performed. The vehicle was taken back to Valvoline where the oil type was changed, and the vehicle diagnosed and determined that the exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPMs rapidly increased to 4,000 but the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light illuminated, and an alert illuminated on the touch screen that displayed “Engine compartment failure emergency contact Kia”. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coils and wiring harness needed to be replaced. Additionally, the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) software was upgraded; however, the failure recurred. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact notified the dealer of the failure, and the contact was informed that due to the check engine warning light not being illuminated, the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 132,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521147May 9, 2023
ENGINE
No warning lights/codes. Veh lost power. Was catalytic converter. Veh VIN did not fall under recall. Had to replace converter at our cost. Safety concern? Car had potential fire from overheated converter and could have killed my 19 y/o daughter who drove the car as primary veh. The car is barely 6 years old and just paid it off. Got the high end adult version w/ sunroof, leather seats, lights, all bells & whistles. Paid 29k & engine failed due to driving car without knowing converter was bad. Never rec'd notice because our VIN was not included. Dealer wants to charge us 9000$ to replace engine at OUR cost. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE EVER. THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT UNLESS WE PAY FOR IT. Filed a case w/ Kia Consumer Center, but since engine failure is not covered under warranty, they will not replace engine. We now have a car that is useless. We can't afford another car. This was our mid life car that we thought would last a long time that we passed down to our daughter. She drove it about 6 months before this happened. Literally, as soon as it was paid off, it broke. Horrible car and horrible manufacturer. NEVER EVER NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BUY A KIA!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521152May 9, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V096000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair and the vehicle was also repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, after the vehicle was repaired, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for another inspection. The contact then stated that a year later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud knocking sound under the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The contact stated that he veered the vehicle off the road and parked. The contact then turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the recall had expired and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521160May 9, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the off position, the engine was still running. Additionally, the contact stated that while inside her residence with the key, the vehicle erroneously started and move forward with no key in the ignition. The contact also stated that the brake pedal became stiff while depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520973May 8, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was slow to respond and failed to move. After the vehicle responded, the vehicle failed to exceed 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the heat sensor and protector shield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 116,119.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520993May 8, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic who diagnosed that there was no engine oil in the vehicle due to excessive oil consumption. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the knock sensor was replaced. The dealer then added oil in the vehicle and completed the oil consumption test after the contact had driven 1,000 miles. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle failed the oil consumption test because half of the oil that was added had been consumed. Upon performing the second oil consumption test after another 1,000 miles, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had passed the test. The contact stated that he was concerned and believed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Soul