Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11469917June 18, 2022
ENGINE
I have a Kia Soul ECO. Frequently the car will stop. For no apparent reason. It may have to do with the ECO feature where the engine turns off when you come to a complete stop. This is very dangerous as it happens randomly and disables the car. I have to turn the engine off and back on to continue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469855June 17, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am the second owner of a 2013 Kia Soul that was purchased from Century 3 Kia, in Dec of 2015 with approximately 33,000 miles on it. It now has approximately 99,900 miles on it. During the summer of last year, I began to have problems with the car overheating, stalling, and hearing knocking in the engine. My car was burning oil pretty bad (kept having to change the oil) and it smelled like something was burning in my engine so I took it to the dealership where I purchased it. I was afraid it would catch on fire. They ran a diagnostic on it and said that it was the catalytic converter and quoted me a price of around $3,000 to fix it. I asked if there were any recalls for this issue and they said no. About a week later I took it to my mechanic, after doing a diagnostic check he confirmed that the catalytic converter was defective, and he said that my engine sounded pretty bad as well. He told me that he believed there was a recall on my car and advised me to contact Kia and ask about it. I called Kia and they told me there were no open recalls on my vehicle so I decided to get the least expensive issue taken care of first and had the catalytic converter replaced in July 2021. I became ill shortly after that so the car sat unused for several months. I became ill again with Covid in late November and was hospitalized for two weeks, the car sat unused for several more months. In March of 2022, I tried to drive it around the block but had to turn around because the car was very unstable. I towed it back to my mechanic, who told me it was the engine. My Kia Soul has a 1.6L DOHC GDI GAMMA engine, I noticed that it was the same as the ones that were part of the 2019 recall. I had the same issues with my car as those reported by others. I took very good care of my car and kept up with servicing it. My car should have been included in the recall, it had a faulty catalytic converter which caused my engine to fail. Now I'm forced to pay expenses for a car that I can't drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469616June 16, 2022
ENGINE
Engine did not restart after Auto/off. Instead, center screen restarted and engine light and battery light came on. Had to restart entire car to get engine back on. Happened at stoplight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469652June 16, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a loss of performance with the engine, and the speed inadvertently decelerated to 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not repaired or diagnosed; however, the dealer updated an unknown software. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469412June 15, 2022
ENGINE
Catalytic converter needed to be replaced at 98,914 miles in my 2016 2.0 L ( Cost me $3,144.78 since out of warranty). Oil consumption seems to be a big problem too. I usually change oil every 3 months, regardless of mileage, but this car needs it every 2 months. Dealer recommended using synthetic oil. No warning lights, car wouldn't go over 35 mph on highway. I have another Soul (2010) I bought new, it has 280,000 miles and it runs better and only uses regular oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469428June 15, 2022
ENGINE, AIR BAGS
Took car into Dean McCary Mobile, Al on June 13, 2020 for the two recall, engine and air bag Also problems with car, wouldn’t pick up speed over 60 miles, with rattling noise, I was putting extra oil in car, because it kept using lots of oil, They told me they did an inspection on engine, and air bag, also they told me under engine was fire red inspection done by Tech: James Allen
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469351June 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After stopping on a grade and after the engine shuts off, and you take your foot off the accelerator pedal to move forward, there is a lengthy pause (sometimes) before the engine restarts and proceeds forward. If there is a vehicle behind you it can be unnerving and if they are real close it could cause an accident. I had the dealer check it and they could not find any service bulletins on that issue. This has happened on multiple occasions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469203June 14, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact he failed to have an unknown software update completed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 77,720.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469004June 13, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and accelerating to 50 MPH, the vehicle began to make an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive to her residence. The contact stated she added 3 quarts of oil to the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a second local dealer: Kia of Lincolnwood (6750 Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712:(847) 581-7500) where an oil consumption test was completed however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact called the local dealer: Kia of Lincolnwood and made them aware of the letter. The dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure and added another less than a quart of oil. The contact called the local dealer: Kia of Lincolnwood and made them aware of the failure. The dealer made an appointment for the next day. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was referred to Napleton's Kia of Elmhurst (727 W Grand Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126: (630) 530-6866). The contact took the vehicle to Napleton's Kia of Elmhurst but only had an oil change performed. The contact's husband also took the vehicle to Kia of Port Charlotte (202 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33953: (941) 249-6171) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to Berwyn Kia and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468831June 12, 2022
ENGINE
Had my engine blow in my 2017 Kia Soul with 61,000 miles. There was no warning or issues prior
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468888June 12, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was heading home on the highway when I noticed the car was having trouble accelerating. I was taking the exit to my house when I heard the knocking in the engine start. I was half a mile from my house so I continued slowly as the acceleration issues continued. As I was getting closer to my house the oil light came on. I parked the car in the driveway and turned it off immediately. A cursory inspection indicates that the engine has suffered catastrophic damage. There is high end a “tapping” sound coming from the top side, even while briefly idling the engine, indicating damage in the area of lifter/s and/or camshaft lobe/s. Inspection of the engine oil presents metallic particles. Finally, we observed that an uncharacteristic and excessive pressure is coming from the crankcase when the oil filler cap is removed while the engine is idling. This is consistent with the GDI engine failure mode - lack of lubrication between piston rings and cylinder walls due to fuel thinned oil caused by high-pressure fuel pump Fortunately, since I exited the highway and the failure occurred close to home, the dangerous stall condition that is a typical failure mode of the GDI engine did not occur in this particular instance. Nevertheless, severe damage to the motor has been observed. The fact that the engine began “knocking” prior to the low oil indicator lamp illuminating would indicate that the engine was damaged due to the thin oil/fuel mixture rather than the engine being completely deficient in lubricating engine oil. Internet research has brought to our attention the issues and the precedent-setting class action lawsuits, that Kia Inc. has been forced to contend with due to the inherent design problems of the Theta II, GDI 1.6L, and 2.0L engines - direct injection (DI) system and high-pressure fuel pump issues causing the engine failure through piston ring “blowby” and subsequent thinning of the engine oil. I contacted KIA and I still have the Soul in my possession.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468560June 10, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane to the left of me, and behind me. I had both of my hands on the steering wheel the entire time. I, of course, took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brakes. The brakes were not stopping the car. The car took off and was uncontrollable. I hit the car in the lane to my left, traveled across the same lane, then luckily ran up a curb and onto a median that had grass on it. The car was out of control and moving swiftly. I steered it to the right and off the median (which avoided hitting oncoming traffic head-on). The brakes were not stopping the car. I heard and felt that the car was hitting things: the car to my left, the median, etc.) I think the car may have spun 360 degrees, one complete revolution, and then jumped the curb and went up onto the median again. Again, I steered to the right to avoid crossing the median. The car then spun 180 degrees, and stopped perfectly facing south in the left northbound lane. (I thought I had gone up the median two times; however, maybe it was only once, as my passenger thought. I don't know if it was once or two times up the curb and onto the median. It all happened so fast.) Car was towed away. What failed: the car wildly took off, veering to the left; the brakes didn't stop the car Risk: the car was uncontrollable (except steering somewhat) and moving; if not for the curb and wide median, I would have traveled head-on into oncoming traffic; the car spun as if spinning on ice Reproduced: the car has not been touched; there is a consumer affairs case open with its manufacturer Inspected: by my insurance appraiser, at the dealership Warning: none, was a shocking surprise
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468613June 10, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated his mom was driving the vehicle on the expressway at 55MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle did not accelerate and the speedometer was decreasing. The contact stated no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle resummed to perform as normal and the contact drove home. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468631June 10, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468664June 10, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into the front end of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact which caused the contact to hit her chest on the steering wheel. The contact was treated by EMTs at the scene of the accident and was later taken to the emergency room by her daughter. The contact was treated for pain and soreness to her sternum. The other driver was not injured and did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact's son-in-law was able to drive the vehicle to the contact's home which was nearby. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that her vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000(AIR BAGS). The vehicle had yet to be inspected or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11468726June 10, 2022
ENGINE
Car began to experience knocking sounds from engine. Was told by independent mechanic it was the lifters and the vehicle was burning oil. On the way to the dealership, while driving uphill on a road with no shoulders, the vehicle started smoking and lost all power. There was a line of cars behind me and coming in the lane of opposite traffic. The vehicle would not regain any type of power to the engine to make it up any hills to a safe space. If it wasn't for a random driveway my vehicle would've likely rolled back downhill and caused a many car collision which could have seriously injured myself, my young child, and drivers in other vehicles. There is a TSB reported with this issue, but unfortunately most consumers are not notified of active TSBs. The dealership was able to replicate the problem after having it towed there. We were told it would be in excess of $5000 to repair as the engine sustained some damage. I have read of others experiencing similar situations, which could kill a passenger or driver if they lost power in a freeway or a road with no shoulder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468424June 9, 2022
AIR BAGS
Airbags didn't deploy with hard frontal contact. Vehicle is being held by insurance company so it can be looked at. Vehicle has been inspected by insurance company as total loss. Front end is destroyed and frame is bent.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468146June 8, 2022
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468160June 8, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer performed an unknown repair; however, the vehicle later lost motive power. The vehicle was then taken to Community Kia of Bloomington (2200 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47401) where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine damage and connecting rod failure, which punctured the engine block. Community Kia of Bloomington informed the contact's daughter that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468243June 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled with abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. The driver stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The dealer declined to service NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) due to the software update not being completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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