Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11481853August 29, 2022
ENGINE
Engine: My 2016 was purchased by me on 12/11/2020. With less than 75,000 miles the engine completely blew with no previous warnings while on the way home. Maintained this car since it was my first car purchased. Took the car to Kia and they wouldn't cover the powertrain coverage because I'm the 2nd owner past 60,000 miles and that I didn't get the product improvement when the campaign was going on. Never received a letter about it and the campaign started before I bought my cat. The kicker, the product improvement has a common problem of not detecting engine issues for a lot of people. Been researching and reading others experiences. It's neglectful to continue to let people unknownly drive their cars with faulty engines. They are using the kds product improvement to limit the amount of engines they repair as well. There's a reason why there are increase of engine issues all round the same car years. Kia of South Austin inspected and knew the problem right off the bat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481875August 29, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My headlights flicker or shut off intermittently when driving at night. Sometimes it seems to be associated with using my turn signal. Sometimes it seems to be associated with going from dim to bright headlights. I took my car to the dealer who said that KIA has an extended warranty to cover this repair. But when the dealer's service department could not reproduce the situation in the shop, then said KIA would not pay for the repair. I contacted KIA consumer affairs and was given a case number (14989817). After two weeks I finally was contacted and the policy was repeated by KIA. I explained that the problem was intermittent but they would not do anything on their end because the dealer could not diagnose the issue in shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481313August 26, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving, my car's engine simply died while driving and refused to start back, giving a battery light and the oil light on the dash. A local mechanic is assuming the issues seen here are related to a recall for this model's GDI. Thankfully I was able to safely push it into a nearby parking lot to be towed. That said, my only car is now out of service until the Kia dealer can look at it to confirm if it was related to the recall, about 2-3 weeks for this one
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481315August 26, 2022
ENGINE
My car had regular maintenance done consistently but the motor still blew… I scheduled my oil change that morning since it was due but then as I’m driving I heard what I thought was a knocking sound but I didn’t think much of it since it was just now time to get the oil change done and the oil light hadn’t come on or anything… just assumed it was something in the road I had ran over so I drove the remaining 5 minutes home and as I pull in my driveway the check engine light comes on and “ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM: possible engine condition. Schedule service” displayed on the screen… so I then a few days later I had it towed to the Kia dealership nearest me, only for them to tell me that if I cannot produce copies of EVERY single maintenance record for the last 4 years (since I bought the car) they won’t honor my warranty that I paid extra for and it would be $7,600 to replace it… I then called all the local mechanic shops around me and received quotes of: $7,522.00 $8,200.00 $6,400.00 The worst part is, Kia knows about the excessive oil consumption of their engines (a lawsuit was filed against Kia/Hyundai for it and for the damage to the engine due to low oil levels caused by excessive oil consumption but unfortunately, it was dismissed by a judge due to lack of evidence)!!!!!! The car is available to be checked, I’ve had a mechanic shop and then the Kia dealership both tell me the engine is blown. No indicator lights came on before the check engine light did.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481118August 25, 2022
STEERING, ENGINE
X Company failed to install with apiece of equipment that prevents others from starting up and stealing your car without an key on the day I went outside to find my car back window broken and steering column roped apart and key entry resulting in costly repairs that parts on back order . there is post on social media explaining how to steal this car . unlike other cars this part is equipped preventing the cars from being started unless a code is transmitted
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481169August 25, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn, the front passenger’s side wheel suddenly malfunctioned rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side lower control arm had fractured due to faulty ball joint. The control arm was replaced but the vehicle started to experience vibration and shaking. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact also indicated that the vehicle had experienced engine oil consumption issues. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481207August 25, 2022
ENGINE
In addition to the engine, my catalytic converter is also damaged.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481088August 24, 2022
ENGINE
My catalytic converter failed and lead to no compression in cylinder 1 of the engine. I scanned the car on 3 different OBD scanners and I had P0420 and P0300 and P0301 codes. Also, the car has the symptoms of bad catalytic converter, which are 1) rattling sound from the exhaust 2)really hot air coming out of the exhaust 3)heat coming out from the center console inside the car, which is right above the catalytic converter 4) engine running rough and doesn't have power I checked on NHTSA website that the car has a recall on the catalytic converter as it says and I saw the flow chart of the procedure which says that if the car has P0420, check for P030X. If it has both codes, check engine compression and if it failed, replace catalytic converter and short block. So, I scheduled an appointment at Beyer KIA Falls Church, Virginia on Wednesday 8/24/2022 at 11AM. They took the car to check the recall, I mentioned that I have the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter and asked to do the recall and not to do anything else without getting back to me. I received a call after 2 hours from them saying that they updated the ECU logic and they don't see a P0420 code and they only see codes P0300 and P0301, they also said that they did a compression test for the engine and Cylinder 1 does not have compression in it. I told them that this means the catalytic converter went bad and it ruined cylinder 1 because it's in bank1 of the engine which is related to the catalytic converter. They said that there is nothing they can do and the car needs an engine. I have the flow chart of the procedures, what i'm trying to understand is how did they do a compression test without P0420 code? I think they found out the engine went bad because of the catalytic converter and they cleared the ECU to prevent replacing both the catalytic converter and the engine. I have proof of the P0420 code on my scanner which will be uploaded with the flow chart of the recall. Please I need help with this ASAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480946August 24, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, a cloud of black-colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact used his emergency brake to stop and immediately exited the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle quickly caught fire; by the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was incinerated. A fire report and police report were both filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The contact went to the unknown dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480710August 23, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The car rolls with the transmission gear placed in PARK. Kia USA has repeatedly failed to acknowledge the problem or respond to my multiple communications regarding this issue. Kia USA has failed to offer an inspection of the problem. There are no warning lights, messages or other symptoms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480790August 23, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480868August 23, 2022
SUSPENSION, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I bought my car in 2018, I didn’t like the way it drives. I had to take it back the next day to return it, but the dealer in North Aurora Gerald Kia said they wouldn’t take it back & I paid cash. I’ve been taking it back and forth from Gerald North Aurora to Bob Rohrman in Schaumburg Il. They have been been telling me every time, there’s nothing wrong. I’m hearing several noises in the Suspenion. So finally I told Bob Rohrman dealer to check everything before my warranty runs out. So far nothing didn’t happen until after my warranty. So I paid for 4 tires, front brakes, rotors. They finally said that I needed an Arm Control & a Strut, with low mileage, but Im steady hearing noises. I know know what to do. After I paid cash & had start going to find out what’s wrong with my car, the service dept was never friendly or professional. I always was told there’s nothing wrong with my car and that I know better. I’ve been driving since 17 yrs old and I’m 68.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480900August 23, 2022
ENGINE
The car shut down in the middle of a highway while driving. My partner and I had to wheel the car aside. It then turn on 20 minutes later. The vehicle shakes and shifts. Kia stated they cannot fix issue because the car is out of warranty. We took it when the warranty came out in 2020 and we had to pay out of pocket for $2000 and now the issue is back and our lives are in jeopardy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480484August 22, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle had previously been inspected by the local dealer under an unknown Manufacturer’s Campaign. After performing an oil consumption test, it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine replacement was not yet performed. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480418August 21, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
When driving down a perfectly straight Road, if you take your hands off the steering wheel for a Split Second, the car drifts to the left over the center line of the road. [XXX] did a four-wheel alignment, however, the receipt said I told them it was pulling to the right, I specifically told them it was pulling to the left. I have an appointment with them on 6 September 2022 to try to correct their mistake. I am not sure an alignment will correct the problem. Second item: there was a recall of the airbags on this vehicle. This recall was cleared by Rusty Wallace GMC Kia, 300 King Avenue, Morristown Tennessee 37014 phone 423-586-1441. I am concerned about the drifting to the left when hands are lifted from the steering wheel on a straight Road. This could cause an accident. What is the remedy for this problem? Thank you [XXX] [XXX] car was acquired on 11/11/ 21 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480109August 19, 2022
STEERING
Electrical power steering system froze and would not turn left nor right while car was running in both Reverse and Drive as I was trying to leave my home to run errands. My Kia Access application on my phone showed an issue with Electrical Power Steering and the dash of my car had the red steering wheel with exclamation point warning light in red on. When tow truck came 4 hours later and turned vehicle on to get it into tow truck the steer issue disappeared. However, he did tell me that the night of 8.17.20222 he towed another Kia Soul that the steering locked up in mid turn of another vehicle on a driver her in Phoenix, AZ. This is a huge concern and very scary to think of what could happen if I was in traffic. My car is currently at the dealership for diagnostics, and if they can't find an issue I have to pay a minimum $170 just for them to look at it. This is not a good situation as a whole!!! This vehicle needs to have an electrical power steering issue recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480110August 19, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate independently and would not accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who confirmed that the catalytic convertor was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480144August 19, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The steering wheel ignition lock is easy bypassed by using only a small screwdriver or USB cord. This makes the car easily stolen and therefore violates the requirements of 571.114 which requires a "starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the starting system prevents.. the normal activation of the vehicles engine or motor". This affects all Kia / Hyundai vehicles with a normal keyed ignition and without a vehicle immobilizer produced from approximately 2009-2022. Since the technology required to comply with the regulation (i.e. a vehicle immobilizer) is readily available and available on other cars from this maker, the vehicle manufacturer knowingly violated this regulation. I request a NHTSA inquiry into this clear safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480152August 19, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
Having catalyst system efficiency below threshold issues The engine light is on code is P0420 Autozone gave me the diagnostic Engine light turns on and off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479950August 18, 2022
ENGINE
Car started burning oil WAY before I hit 100,000 miles which affects MANY other parts. Had to pay for a new O2 sensor, spark plugs keep going bad, catalytic converter failure while driving. Catalytic converter failure due to oil burning which causes the car to fail while driving 55 mph. Trying to press the gas pedal and only able to go 10 mph. Catalytic converter has failed twice in two years. Spark plugs need to be replaced again due to too much oil burning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Soul