Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11515358April 4, 2023
ENGINE
While at a red light the vehicle stalled out and would not restart. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot and the battery life and oil were assessed. It was then determined that there was no oil in the engine by checking the dip stick. Oil was then added and spilled out simultaneously because the oil plug was missing from the vehicle. It was determined that it fell out while driving. The vehicle has 114k miles and had received an oil change 15 days prior.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515364April 4, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance due to the vehicle not meeting the Warranty Extension requirements. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515381April 4, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The mechanic performed an oil consumption test and determined that the coil packs, spark plugs, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the dealer decided to not conduct another oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515427April 4, 2023
STEERING
Driving around curves my car slows dramatically and traction control light comes on. I have no ability to steer at this point until the car “breaks free” and allows acceleration again. It’s as if the ABS system kicks on all on its own. The sound it makes is as though the brakes are kicking in to slow the vehicle. It almost comes to a stop on curves. Steering intermittently loosens on its own while driving and I lose controlled steering as there is a lot of play in the steering wheel. Then it will tighten up again as if it’s a brand new car. There is an occasional pop noise but it’s not constant and doesn’t make the sound when driving at speeds greater than 40mph. No other sounds are present. I contacted Kia as they placed a set screw in the steering for a pinion plug recall repair to keep a nut from backing out and this was not properly documented by the previous service department per the new management. There were no images of the repair that was done and no notes in the repair log according to the young lady I spoke with. No evidence of a repair other than being marked in the system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515132April 3, 2023
ENGINE
The engine keeps burning oil, and is clogging up the catalytic converter causing the car to lose power. The car can’t go above 50mph and cannot go up inclines without the rpm at around 5-6. It has been going on since April 2022 and I bought the car in November 2021 from Paramount Kia of Asheville @ 80,000miles. They have done 5 oil consumption tests and 2 overnight soaks which has still yet to fix the problem. The car needs a new engine, and catalytic converter which would be around $10,000. They sold me the car for $17,000 and I still owe $11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515170April 3, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph a loud popping sound originated from the undercarriage on the driver's side. The contact witnessed smoke coming from the engine compartment and veered to the vehicle side of the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact was then notified by pedestrians, that a fire was originating from the engine compartment, and the contact exited the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a report was available. Additionally, the contact stated that the Engine Oil Level and the check engine safety light had been illuminated for three days prior to the failure, and approximately three quarts of oil were added four to five days before the fire. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515294April 3, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2/17/23 Car was disabled on highway lost speed in the middle of traffic and could not go over 20MPH at dealership- it was confirmed that catalytic convertor went out. 2/23/23 Car CC was replaced picked it up and noticed weird sound from engine 2/24/23 Car returned to dealership 3/3/23 Dealership stated the engine was bad 3/13/23 We were informed that KIA would not cover the repairs and we had to pay $5700 4/3/23 Dealership called and said car was ready to be picked up Car has 78,000 miles on it and has been well maintained - we have all of the service records We understand there is a class action lawsuit where high exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic convertor, resulting in abnormal engine combustion damaging the engine. We have been told that our engine did not qualify under the VIN number that we had. KIA has had known engine problems for over 12 years and we feel that the CC damaged the engine and this is what caused the failure. There were no warning signs, no smoke out of the exhaust etc We just keep getting the run around saying that our VIN was not part of the recall even though our engine had only 78,000 miles and it was very well maintained. Please let us know if we can get any help in paying for this huge expense
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515317April 3, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
check engine light came on the evening of 3/08/2023. Auto zone said it was a knock sensor code and was listed as a recall. Next morning while driving on highway to ft Wayne Kia dealership my car engine lost rpm while driving at 65 mph on i-69 chapel exit in ft Wayne indiana. The car engine compartment almost immediately ignited into flames with an explosion. Driver barely got out before fire was in the dash. The front interior dash and front seat areas were caught on fire. Shrapnel blown from car started a grass fire as well. The fire department arrived to get both fires under control. My car was still under warranty at 108 months and 89,000 miles. Never had any problem with my Soul until that next day after light came on. I was not notified of the recalls except only recently received an airbag recall on 3/30/2023. I have contacted Kia to file a claim with them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515124April 3, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The instrument cluster is no longer displaying vital information. (Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, warning indicator lights, etc.) It still displays turn indicators and headlight indicators. The remedy is to replace the instrument cluster and have it recalibrated
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514900April 1, 2023
STEERING
Something is wrong with my steering wheel/column. when driving, the steering wheel has unusual movement, such as jerking and popping with the slight movement made by driving or sitting still while car is cranked up and if the road is not smooth, any slight bump, something in the steering column is popping. i am afraid for my life and others on the road if i lose control of steering. my mechanic has told me the problem is the "Coupler" that is a plastic ring. How can that be? this is dangerous. i only have 43K on my Kia and had to park it recently due to it getting worse due to being dangerous to drive. i see many complaints of this same problem. Why has it not been recalled? I love my Kia Soul. Please fix this problem.Thanks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514917April 1, 2023
ENGINE, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have had several issues with my car. The check engine light is on, and now my traction control light comes on all the time now. When that happens my car won't tact. I had auto zone check out the check engine light, was told it was the catalytic converter. My mechanic changed my oil and told me to start checking my oil every 500 miles, that it was consuming oil. I paid Kia 170.00 to confirm what auto zone told me. So I average a quart of added oil every 750 to 1000 miles. I see no point in replacing the catalytic converter until we know what is going on with the engine. This started at 113,000 miles, my car has 127.000 now. I have talked to The dealership where I purchased my car, basically they can't help me unless my check engine light flashes and the speed cuts down to 40 miles an hour. My car is having the same issues that are described in recall (SC176) and (SC200). I would appreciate it if you could tell me if my car should have been in the recalls. Thank you for your time and assistance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514752March 31, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the dealer stated that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,424.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514763March 31, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter parked the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer the next day, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,435.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514812March 31, 2023
ENGINE
Catalytic converter issues. I've had to get it replaced several times already and still issues. car burns oil like crazy as well and I have had to add oil throughout the week. it's been this way since I bought it in 2018. 2016 Kia Soul +
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514630March 30, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown part was repaired, and the mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514364March 29, 2023
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle had not been repaired. Shortly after the electronic stability control, ABS, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle began to emit an abnormal smoke odor from inside near the engine compartment. The contact called the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and that the HECU had failed and needed to be repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer to turn off and not drive the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514375March 29, 2023
ENGINE
Horne Kia in Gilbert Arizona tore down our engine and found it damaged beyond repair. We were told by the aforementioned dealership that the engine would need to be replaced. Kia has given our engine a 15 year / 150,000 mile warranty due to this nation wide Kia / Hyundai engine defect situation. Our vehicle has around 79,000 miles and is a 2016 model. Still Kia refuses to replace the engine. The safety problem that comes into play is that Kia is telling us to continue driving our vehicle until the engine completely freezes up. Kia is sending ours and many others vehicles back out on the road in this condition. These vehicles can break down at any time and create a possible incident that could be detrimental to the safety of the driver and others in the area.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514120March 28, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
My car is susceptible to theft due to the fact, Kia did not place immobilizer unit in my 2015 Kia soul. I’m trying to find out where I go to get the software update on my vehicle so it doesn’t get stolen and I can’t find anywhere nobody’s contacted me from Kia please help me with this situation. thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514156March 28, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed her that the spark plugs were flooded with oil. The independent mechanic replaced the spark plugs and the fuel cap gasket. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with a damaged catalytic converter. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514244March 28, 2023
ENGINE
Check engine light came on with a p0420 code. After checking the oil, I realized it have used 1.5quartz of oil since my last oil change about 2months ago. I have had this car for only a year and have kept up on maintenance as suggest by the manufacturer. I called the dealership and they say it's normal for kias to burn oil. In my opinion it doesn't see normal nor does it seem safe. They told me it is safe to drive and to bring it in for a suspected exhaust leak.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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