Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11494187November 18, 2022
ENGINE
As I was driving up a hill close to my house, there was suddenly a loud popping noise from the front of the vehicle and very quickly the cab of the car was filled with thick black smoke. I quickly exited the car and saw that the entire engine was completely engulfed in flames. I initially tried to throw snow on the fire but realized that it was already totally out of control and unable to be put out. I ran away to a safer distance from the vehicle and called 911. The entire car was completely engulfed in the flames by the time the police and fire department responded. It still took about ten minutes for the fire to be extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle is a complete loss including many personal items that I was unable to recover. There was absolutely no warning of any issues with the engine such as a notification from a gauge indicating that the engine was over heating or any other warning lights showing any issues. I maintained the vehicle with regular oil changes and other standard maintenance. It only had 41,000 miles on if at the time of the fire. I expected it to last for many more years. Thankfully my son and our dog was not with me at the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494027November 17, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was making an abnormal sound and there was a burning odor inside the vehicle while driving. The local dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact they would not repair the vehicle under the recall as she failed to complete the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and left voicemail messages to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494030November 17, 2022
ENGINE
Nothing has ever been wrong with my 2013 Kia Soul. Love this car! But less than 1 mile from home it started jumping and died. I have never once known about a recall. When it was looked at by mechanic, I was told the engine was blown due to possible head gasket, oil leaking out, etc. I have a rare terminal disease and can’t afford a new engine! My husband of 20 years left me, I am fixing to having cancer surgery and now to learn I have no car? I can’t take anymore! My local Kia dealships said recall was too old. I don’t have any idea what I’m going to do now! Maybe the surgery won’t go well….because right now, I could care less if I die because I have no life, no husband, no car…….
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493758November 16, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine consumes excessive amount of oil before next oil change that causes catalytic converter to clog and the car not to perform well. This is a known Kia issue and everyone should be eligible for the engine recall. This is dangerous and cars have been catching fire over this issue. Kia knows and they refuse to fix the issue for 2015 Kia soul + owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493793November 16, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
I purchased my vehicle back in 2021 and I notice that the recall for the catalytic converter so I check my car reports and don’t see where it was replaced or service I recently went to get a check engine diagnostic and the code read p0420 which is problems with catalytic converter no one has been the owner of the vehicle since 2018 and I’m not sure if it was replace or replace incorrectly I shouldn’t be experiencing difficulties and I haven’t reached over 100,000 miles since the previous mileage @ the timing of the recall “fixture”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493582November 15, 2022
ENGINE
Vehicle is using a large amount of oil, have to continually add about 2 quarts per 1000 miles. I have maintained the vehicle and have diligently changed the oil and filter. This started at about 100,000 miles and continues to get worse. I have seen class action is being brought against Kia for this issue. This could lead to engine failure, fire and serious injury. I feel a recall is in order for the safety of the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493547November 14, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) for which the catalytic converter was replaced. After the repair the vehicle began to drive sluggishly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, spark plugs, and exhaust pipe. The failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but had not yet approved the engine replacement. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493572November 14, 2022
ENGINE
Engine malfunction and burning excessive amounts of oil and no warnings of this malfunction on dash. Engine will need complete replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493471November 14, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the engine made abnormal ticking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle, however, the engine was making abnormal loud knocking sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring more increasingly. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under TSB Number: PI2107 as the original owner of the vehicle failed to complete an unknown software update on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493308November 12, 2022
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I had my Kia in the shop for 2 months from August 22, 2022 until about the middle of October because it went into limp mode and they were waiting on Kia consumer to ok a new engine because the dealership heard a knock. I was originally told my Kia had a lifetime warranty on the motor but when it went into limp mode with 156.044 miles on it they then said 150,000 mile warranty so I had to pay out of pocket to have the part fixed. I’ve have my car back less than a month haven’t even put a 1,000 miles on it and it’s went right back into limp mode in the middle of a four lane. Almost got rear ended because the speed bogged down to below 45mph. It’s throwing the same code as it didn’t previously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493161November 11, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The car will burn through almost a full 4 quarts of oil within 1000 miles. From reading online oil consumption issues are a common problem for 2014 through 2017 Kia Souls, but even some later models are having similar issues. Beyond the issue of the car burning that much oil that quick, the check oil light does not fully turn on even when the car was as the dealership put it, "Bone Dry" meaning that I as the driver had no idea that my engine could have seized up or stalled out at any moment. Also due to the fact that Kia Souls have an oil pressure driven timing chain the low oil issue extends down another level making engine stalling that much more likely. Though the most recent incendent occurred at around 94000 miles ot has been an ongoing problem for around 20000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493214November 11, 2022
ENGINE
I began having oil consumption issues with my car in December 2020. I took my car in for inspection and the product improvement campaign that I was notified about. Since that time, I have had my car in the Kia shop numerous times for increasingly worse oil consumption issues. They always claim the oil consumption is fine, even though when I check it there is a problem. Now I am being told my catalytic converter is clogged, but my engine is fine and my oil consumption is acceptable. The catalytic converter is clogged because there is oil leaking through my exhaust system. No oil is ever leaking from my car because there is no leak; however, it is burning through my engine and exhaust. This is causing my car to lose power when driving, which is a safety concern for not only myself and my children, but other drivers as well. Kia is aware of the issue and refuses to acknowledge a problem at the local shop or at corporate offices. I am filing this complaint so that in the event of any serious bodily injury or death to myself, my family, or other passengers on the road there is documentation regarding their negligence in repairing their faulty vehicles. Also, their solution was for me to trade my car in for a new vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493234November 11, 2022
ENGINE
NEGLIGENCE OF AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL Please refer to file attached, all details included in file attached
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493137November 10, 2022
ENGINE
We purchased a 2016 Kia Soul in June 2022, in November 2022 while driving across a highway the engine started knocking, went into limp mood and suddenly stopped almost causing my daughter and her younger sibling to get in severe accident. We had it immediately towed to Edwards Kia in Council Bluffs to have a diagnostic test run, they came back and said it would cost us $8,834.02 for an engine rebuild/replacement and that our car was no longer under the extended warranty because PI2002B had not been done. They informed us that not having the update voids the extended warranty on the car, however we have not been notified as the new owners that this needed to be done. PI2002B is dated Aug 2020 and was revised in Jan 2021. H&H Kia of Omaha took possession of the car 28 Nov 2020 and had it in their possession until 17 Feb 2021. In that timeframe the notice was sent to the General Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager, Service Advisors, Technicians and the Body Shop manager and it still was not performed by the Kia dealership. Because of this, the extended warranty that we should have been entitled to was invalidated. When we purchased the vehicle, the dealership did a 70 point inspection and ensured that there were no outstanding public recalls on the car before the sold it to us. I have attached all of the documentation from the dealership to include the Carfax report that stated H&H Kia had the vehicle from Nov 20-Feb 21. Kia dealerships have access to the Kia database and should have known if the update was required while they had it in their possession. The engine failed due to a known defect, and they are not willingly updating vehicles on the lots at their dealerships and voiding extended warranty that should apply.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492856November 9, 2022
STEERING
Clicking in the Steering, vibration in steering while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492702November 8, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while in stop-and-go traffic, an 18-wheeler crashed into her vehicle and sent the vehicle into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact and the contact hit her head on the driver-side window. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a fractured skull and a concussion. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed which noted that the guardrail was damaged and in need of repair. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and was deemed a total loss. After the accident, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000(Air Bags) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11492705November 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle inadvertently shut off and required several attempts to restart. The contact then stated that while accelerating, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that within a 15-mile radius, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was awaiting a call back to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492610November 7, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the engine emitted abnormal rattling sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving 30 MPH. The contact then inspected the oil dipstick and noticed that there was no oil, even though he had only driven 3,000 - 3,500 miles after the last oil change. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the original owner failed to complete an unknown software update. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492376November 5, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine light started blinking, I noticed even though I was pushing the gas my car wasn’t accelerating properly, and by the time i stopped & turn my car off I could hear a very low clanking noise. Check oils, everything was at proper levels, no leaks under my hood. I’m being told it could be a number of things and of course all possible issues are $500+ in repairing it. And my car has under 80k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492254November 4, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving down the freeway, and a fireball exploded out the bottom of the car, according to the driver behind us. The fire department were called out, deemed the car unsafe, and disconnected the fuel line. Car towed away.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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