Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11456519March 13, 2022
ENGINE
Engine oil consumption after 1000 miles of oil change at dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456357March 11, 2022
ENGINE
Vehicle started to lose oil and knocking sound in engine began which may be coming from the piston rings. It is available for inspection and I have taken it to 2 KIA Dealerships. In regards to safety Quest - I drive my daughter to school and home and myself to work. Our safety has been at risk every time we are in the car. The problem was confirmed by both dealerships KIA of Alhambra and KIA of Downtown Los Angeles. In regards to question of any other inspection - No. In regards to Quest of warning lamps - Yes engine light comes on and off. Car is drivable but the knocking in the engine and the loss of oil forced me to stop driving it because I believe the pistons are about to go out and cause an engine fire. This issue began in October of 2021 and that is when I found out about this recall from a friend. I contacted the dealership that I purchased the car from which was NOT a KIA dealer but a Nissan Dealer. I bought the car used at the end of 2019 but it did not start giving me this problem until October 2021. Both KIA dealers said that the recall should have been taken care of long ago and declined doing any repairs which included the recall repair stating that the issue would require changing the engine out as you state above could possibly happen. Recalls are missed all the time and I am not sure why this was not addressed before but I have attempted numerous avenues to get my car fixed and have had no success. Recalls do not expire. My car is only 6 years old. I am also an a 3 tour ARMY Vet and I am surprised to know that KIA treats their vets in this manner. This is a valid open recall that has not been addressed and KIA Dealers seem to blame me for their faulty engine. I am not surprised that there are so many lawsuits pending. Please help me get my car fixed so I can safely drive myself and my daughter around. Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you [XXX] 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
#11456085March 10, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I recently had the engine related "recalls" done to my 2014 kia Soul car. The dealership made no mention of my bad engine noises on the service invoice or when he called me to come pick up the car that had "passed" the engine test and the ecu update. My faint engine noise is escalating greatly following the recall completion. After speaking a second time with the service advisor at Kia, he did admit the noise was present and said it was not my fault but, no coverage was available for me. My car was already over the extended warrantee mileage cap back when I received the initial recall notice so it seems I was always to be out of any engine repair coverage by Kia. I have a nice car in which I have overspent effort and money maintaining the engine better than the manufactures recommendations and it is basically junk now due to the engine prematurely breaking down. It sits in the street and I am without my car and I am far from alone as a Kia Soul owner. A car that is worth many thousands of dollars to me running is now worth only about $200. to the junk man. You can't find a good, affordable car to replace it with today. My question is: Why would the 2.0 Kia Soul owners not have the same, unlimited mileage warrantee on their engines which the other Kia and Hyundia owner's engines have received for these defective engines? I think it is criminal, literally stealing money from people by selling a defective item and not compensating the owners for that defect. this action also forces the customer to spend more money on another vehicle, way before the time it should be necessary to do so. I could have easily put 50-75K more miles on this Kia Soul car if it were not for the bad engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455898March 9, 2022
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
while driving my vehicle all of a sudden in the middle of a busy road I lost power. My vehicle would no longer accelerate and came to a stop. Engine light came on. This caused a big safety risk to myself as well as others on the road due to my vehicle coming to a sudden and unexpected stop. The engine light came on, which was not on prior. I was just able to have my vehicle towed today to a Kia dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455949March 9, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The rotating contactor switch for the heat/air conditioning fan on the dashboard appears to get very hot on the internal side. This resulted in discoloration of the plugs on the back side of the control panel, and melting of the contactor housing within the control box. No modifications have been made to this system to my knowledge, and no fuses were burned out prior to the dial failing, due to the melting plastic creating an air gap between the contactor terminals. Half of the plastic on the housing appears to be a heat resistant glass reinforced polyamide, and the (melted) half appears to be made of standard ABS plastic. This implies engineering expected this component to get hot, but still cut costs irresponsibly by using cheaper ABS in hope that the other half of this component would not get hot enough to melt (or potentially catch fire, had the plastic not melted away in a fashion that simply disconnected the contactors). I believe this case is not unique, as failures of this component appear common online. However I believe the true cause of failure (and potential risk of fire from the heat) has not yet been identified due to this contactor being located within a sealed control board assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455810March 9, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle then emitted smoke from the front-end and rear-end of the vehicle began to smoke. The vehicle then shut completely off. The contact had the vehicle towed. The dealer diagnosed that a rod edge shot through the engine causing the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Vin is invalid.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455868March 9, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. The dealer replaced the piston rings; however, the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software was not updated as it was not available during the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 35-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and she was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred the next day. A warning message illuminated, indicating that the Auto Collision was about to be deactivated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the next availability was in April. The contact also called several unknown dealers who advised that the next availability was in April or May. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the completion of the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,100. Parts distribution disconnect. Kia’s lack of ability/failure to address and fix the vehicle’s recall in a timely manner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455521March 7, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while she was at a stop light, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealer who had sold her the vehicle. The Chevrolet dealer diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the starter was replaced; however, the engine remained locked. The dealer associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to a second dealer Bramlett Kia (3326 US-31, Decatur, AL 35603) but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455636March 7, 2022
ENGINE
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455439March 6, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2014 Kia Soul: Noticed some pretty dim headlights. In checking them out the lens over the headlight has orange peal cracking. On the inside. Took it to Kia dealer where I bought it with a 10 year bumper to bumper insurance policy. They told me it is not covered. To go ahead and call myself and find out. Still waiting for an answer. This is a definite safety issue. I only have 35,112 miles on it. Not happy...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455184March 4, 2022
ENGINE
Contact has 2020 Kia Soul bought from Beaumont Texas at Classic Kia. Contact was driving to school to attend a class of speeds approximately 20-30 mph, when the engine light kicked on and the car stalled. Contact immediately called Classic Kia in Beaumont to speak to service department. Previously contact had piston rings "inspected" with no detection. Informed the occurrence to the maintenance department and was told to bring the car into dealership. Contact did as instructed and brought the vehicle to Classic Kia, contact was then told by Maintenace manager that this car has never had an oil change (which the first was done by the dealership itself) and there is sludge in the engine. Contatct stated "I did not have free ones with the dealership, why would I come here". Manager stated on the day after occurrence there were 2 years free oil changes in which was not in my contract and we informed that he was incorrect and the subject was dropped. Contact provided some receipts to manager immediately at Classic Kia and submitted others to Kia corporate on the customer service website to ensure all items could be reviewed. Maintenace manager contacted to verify car was denied by kia, contact called Kia Corporate to ask why and case was still open at that time. When contact had problem, was able to go to the nearest AutoZone, there was a timing issue with vehicle. Informed Maintenace manager of recall sc209 and if it had been completed. Manager stated there was "no need to do the recall" as I have "voided my warranty" for "not maintaining the vehicle". Informed receipts are in case number and manager linked case number to see if kia would approve new engine. Dealership stated we cannot get a loaner and they will not provide contact a way to work and school at this time due to "voided warranty". Currently waiting for approval at this time, recall sc209 still not completed as of 3/4/2022. Occurrence happened on 2/17/2022, with 43,000 miles on vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454960March 3, 2022
STEERING
Car has - low - 41500 miles There is a play in the steering wheel and a " tump- tump" sound can be heard when at a stop and low speeds- while turning the steering wheel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455051March 3, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Catalytic converters are plugged. Vehicle slowed down. Unable to keep speed up on highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454629March 1, 2022
ENGINE
Engine is leaking oil. Recall reference number 20V75000 also listed as SC200 applies to my vehicle, but when I called about it, Kia states that it does not. I had a mechanic look at it, and all of the same issues are happening to my vehicle. The recall states that an engine compartment fire can occur while driving. My car has lost a quarter of the oil in a matter of three weeks. This is not normal. The mechanic noticed several oil leaks from the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454652March 1, 2022
ENGINE
Check engine light came on trouble code P050A
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454694March 1, 2022
ENGINE
2/1/22 Vehicle was taken in for a power issue or transmission issue. Manahawkin Kia, NJ service department determined it to be a Catalytic Convertor clog. with a estimated $2,230 to replace. Dealership allegedly did 360 service check. The vehicle was taken home for second opinions. Other certified independent mechanics agreed that the CAT was clogged, but recommended a compression leak down check since there was no motor oil in the engine. It is important to note that the KIA service claim to have done a 360 check. However, there was no engine oil in the motor. Further, ever since KIA did the SC#176 RECALL the motor has burned oil somehow. WE believe that KIA is at fault and the SC#176 RECALL damaged the vehicle without doubt. KIA of America should be held accountable for our loss as well as anyone who has similar issues with the KIA motor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454770March 1, 2022
ENGINE
Purchased my 2015 Kia Soul in March 2020. Its has been burning oil forever. My husband, literally has to top off the oil every other day. I've called Kia Corp and they say it's not included in any recalls. Now, the car sputters and is having issues with accelerating. I've taken to my local mechanic and they have no clue why it's doing this. I also have a cat converter issue that needs to be fixed. I first started having issues at 90000 miles. How can my car have issues described in 3 recalls, but not be included in them? I've sunk so much $ into this thing! Will never purchase another.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454437February 28, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that her check engine light had been illuminated on her instrument panel. The contact initially took the vehicle to a dealer where the check engine light was reset; however, the light returned the next day. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the battery was replaced; a week, the contact stated that corrosion had formed on the battery and that her vehicle had stalled while traveling at 45 MPH. She stated that several warning lights illuminated the instrument panel as the failure occurred. The contact restarted the vehicle and return home; the next day, the independent mechanic came to her home and performed another battery replacement. Despite the second replacement, the stalling failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were zero recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454117February 25, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving up a hill at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where two unknown recalls were completed. The mechanic informed her of error code P1326: KSDS failure (Knock Sensor Detection System). Additionally, the bearing was not fractured and the mechanic was unable to proceed. There was a claim filed for an engine replacement which was denied. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the failure was due to the engine and power train. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453904February 24, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop at 10 MPH, a rod bearing had blown through her engine without warning. The contact had the vehicle initially towed to her home. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on her vehicle. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the dealer where they confirmed the failure as another rod bearing had blown through the engine as the vehicle was being driven into the service garage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 89,912.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Soul