Kia Soul Complaints (2020)

388 consumer complaints on file.

#11526415June 11, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have two complaints. One just occurred while driving down the highway. My hood popped open. I do not go under the hood. I have my car serviced. The last time it was serviced was over a month ago. The hood popped open immediately the alarm began to ring and I pulled over. I got out on the side of the highway to close it. I immediately called the dealer and they say they have to keep my car to address this and another issue I previously reported. The other issue is my car revs and sounds like a race car. When I told them this they asked how many miles I have. I did pay for an extended warranty. The last time I serviced the car with them in November they said it was taken care of but it is not. I told them don't wait until the mileage reads high and the warranty has expired. I need my only vehicle to run appropriately. I looked today and it seems that the 2020 kia soul has engine issues which might account for the rev and poor running. I was told they should make the corrections free of charge. I am a woman dealing with this so it has been my experience that the treatment and service provided for a man and a woman is not always equitable. Please help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525208June 3, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The auto start-stop function sometimes will not restart. This time it happened in the middle of traffic at an intersection, and I had to put the car in park and restart it before I could move. This could cause a collision in busy traffic times or if people are not paying attention. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer at this time. During the time it shut off, the battery light and oil light came on, but I just had the car serviced three weeks ago and was told it passed their inspection (I only go to my manufacturer's dealership for service). The oil light and battery light shut off and did not reappear again after restarting the car. The vehicle can be available for inspection depending on time and date. This happened once before about a year ago, but the dealership said nothing was wrong with the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524470May 30, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 5/27/23 I was stopped at a light in the middle of active traffic. When traffic started moving again, I put my foot on the accelerator. Nothing happened: the "check engine" light appeared on the dashboard as well as the "Auto Stop" light, which showed up yellow. The engine was dead. Cars in back started honking. I put on my hazard lights, turned the ignition off, waited a few seconds, then on impulse turned the key on again. Car started without a problem, and the indicator lights disappeared. I called the dealership but could not get a service appointment until Thursday. I am afraid my own car will kill me if this happens again in active traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523811May 25, 2023
ENGINE
massive oil consumption engine knocking and needs to be replaced 3 weeks and kia can't tell me why this an issue hasn't fixed engine issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518632April 24, 2023
POWER TRAIN
My experience: My transmission failed while driving at full speed on the highway. My car initially started balking, with RPMs jumping between 2000 and 3000 RMPs. Then, it revved high and RPMs suddenly jumped into the red while the car was not propelling forward at any real speed. It was an extremely dangerous, scary situation in the rain, with an 18-wheeler right behind me. I am grateful to have made it to the dealer without having a crash. There were never any warning lamps and this happened out of the blue, without prior warning. Dealer report: "Metal debris on speed sensor; transmission internal failure. Techline authorized transmission replacement." Transmission has been replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517894April 19, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
Car subject to theft SEE NHSTA press release Feb. 14, 2003 The press release announced a fix had already been achieved (EMPHASIS ADDED): Hyundai and Kia HAVE developed theft deterrent software for millions of their vehicles that lack an immobilizer and will provide it FREE of charge to vehicle owners Unless your PIO totally muffed, this has been an EXTREMELY SLOW ROLLOUT. Two local dealers deny having any information about by vehicle from Kia. The Kia consumer line is jammed and I have not received any callbacks. Now I have gotten a a threatening letter from my insurer. Get on Kia's ass. This is a safety issue. See "Eight fatalities" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-hyundai-kia-challenge-car-thefts-security/ Feb. 14 2023
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
8
#11515973April 7, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at slow speeds or while idling, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road and restart the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer test drove the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that upon research, the vehicle previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#11513944March 27, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving on the highway at 60 mph, the vehicle Started To feel like it was trying to go forward (thrusting) on its own. It then accelerated on its own to over 80 mph. I slammed on the brakes and pulled over and put it in park.the engine was revving in park. After Kia roads on assistance couldn't send a tow truck,I thought I would be okay driving on the emergency lane The 2 miles home from the highway. As I put the car in drive, the engine was revving at 6 On the gauge but the vehicle Wouldn't go over 20 miles an hour. It is at the dealership today. There were no warnings or lights or sounds.It all started with the slight thrusting of the entire car. I could have easily slammed into the back of another vehicle if it had been in front of me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514069March 27, 2023
ENGINE
Compete engine failure at just over 100,000 miles. Driving down a busy road and vehicle suddenly lost engine power. Had to unsafely travel at well below speed limit to local Kia dealership. Dealership evaluated engine and stated it would need replaced entirely. There was no reason or explanation given.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513688March 24, 2023
ENGINE
there were a series of recalls on my 2020 kia soul , one of the recall notices stated that they installed non heat treated piston rings in the engine that went into my. the recall was singed off at a dealership in north carolina without making any repairs or recomendations. the engine has not yet failed but is consuming oil with no leaks. kia service states that 1 quart of oil usage every thousand miles is okay. they did not send any notices or make any verbal statements that owners must check and add oil between the recommended oil change intervals. the safety complaint here is that owners of these vehicles could have their engines seize up while on the highway at speed due to lack of lubrication. i have lost confidence in the safety of my 2020 kia soul.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513235March 22, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the engine started to sputter and shake violently. I couldn't get it to accelerate. I pulled the vehicle to safety and shut it off. I looked under the hood and saw or smelled nothing unusual. I restarted the vehicle and it ran okay. I went immediately to a Kia dealership. I was told that if it was running okay to make an appointment for the next day. I did. The battery was changed out and I was told it was fine. It is not. The same thing happened again, several times. I am being told that if they can't duplicate the problem, they can't fix it. This problem is very unsafe given the entire vehicle slows to an almost stop, even on the highway, at times. I have researched this and it is a common problem with this engine. Many have caught on fire. Kia sent out to the dealerships a Technical Service Bulletin, Number 203, on March, 2019, for Model 2020My Soul(SK3) 1.5T, addressing this problem, yet the local Kia dealer does nothing about it. I was told the recall on this vehicle for the Improperly heat-treated piston oil rings was taken care of but I have to wonder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512495March 18, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failed when driving 70 on a highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511427March 12, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
My car will not turn on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508927February 24, 2023
ENGINE
Hello, I purchased a 2020 Kia Soul S in Oct. of 2019. Soon after I received a letter noting an engine recall in relation to the oil pistons. This manufacturer defect causes the engine to stall, and if left long enough, can cause oil to leak onto the engine and potentially catch fire (https://www.cars.com/research/kia-soul/recalls/). I have needed three engine replacements since purchasing the car. The first replacement was in January of 2022 with less than 20,000 miles, the second was in October of 2022 at around 33,000 miles, and my vehicle is currently awaiting another engine replacement at about 35,000. To my knowledge, the issue has been the same oil piston engine associated with the initial engine recall. I'm concerned because it seems like Kia is replacing defective engines with more defective engines with the same issue. Sometimes a check engine pops up intermittently, but in all three cases, the tell was the car stalling. Thankfully I've learned to take it to the repair shop quickly when this happens to avoid worse side effects.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508475February 22, 2023
STEERING
Motor driven power steering failed, dealer (Hyman Bros Kia Midlothian VA) replaced the flexible coupling in the power steering assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506828February 12, 2023
ENGINE
Vehicle shut down while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506715February 10, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car has rebooted (like a computer) three times in the last month as I am driving the car. Not in Park, not just starting the car. I am in drive and the car just reboots. Today, I received a warning about my forward collision system and all the lights on the dashboard lit up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503211January 23, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission completely cut out. Had to tow to dealership and get an entire new transmission. 30k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502859January 20, 2023
ENGINE
Car stalled while driving,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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