Kia Soul Complaints

406 consumer complaints on file.

#11506984February 13, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I own a 2021 Kia Soul with 34,130 miles. Purchase brand new in 5/21. I just had it serviced on 2/3/23. On 2/10/23, I was driving toward home on I-40 east, near mile marker 418 and the rpms suddenly started to jump up and down from 1000x to 6000x and the car had no ability to go anywhere close to the speed limit. There was a whistle noise coming from under the car. I took the I-81 north interchange to try to get the 80 or so miles back home but could not get the vehicle to go more than 15 mph. I was terrified I was going to get hit by the 18 wheelers whizzing by me. I got in the break down lane and limped to exit 8. The car began to shake violently and barely move. I got off the exit ramp praying no one would rear end me. I called Kia roadside and they towed it to the closest dealership in Moristown because they only tow up to 50 miles, unless I paid the requested $300+ to take it the extra 30 miles to my dealership where I bought the car. The service department called on 2/11/23 to tell me it was being evaluated now, but I have heard nothing else since. I had to sit at the dealership in Moristown until my sister could drive from Lexington KY to take me home. I have severe walking impediment due to broken neck from a car wreck. This whole experience was terrifying.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504887February 1, 2023
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Heading to work on hwy 140, there is no trees nothing that could fall on my car the nearest car was at least half a mile away, it's 30something degrees outside and as my driving I heard a loud boom I opened up the cover to my sunroof and it was shattered, there's nothing that could have landed on it the glass was pointing upwards like it exploded out. That stretch of road I was on has nothing around that could cause that and if it had been a rock it would have hit either the front of my car or my windshield and neither were hit or anything of that nature. The only conclusion I have is that it was the temperature difference.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504389January 30, 2023
ENGINE
On or approximately January 6, 2023 my 2021 Kia Soul with ISG technology began to display Check Engine Light. Took to AutoZone where they hooked to analyzer and came up with P0017 code. Notified local Kia dealership (Galeana in Columbia, SC) and was told could not get appointment until 01/24. Told if engine light no blinking could continue driving. No overt issues when driving at that time. Reset light by disconnecting negative battery terminal but immediately reappeared. On 01/19/23, engine began cutting out and running rough, turning off when brake applied. Was able to crawl home. Had towed into local dealership. Now told my "engine is bad" and that it has been escalated to "tech case" with KIA central. All maintenance up to date and no current recalls active. Noted that case very similar to those for which class action lawsuit was filed. This could have caused a real issue in traffic with it stalling at lights and ultimately stopping.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501455January 12, 2023
ENGINE
On 12/29/2022, the check engine light came while driving to work on my 2021 Kia (25k miles). I called the dealership right away and made an appointment for inspection the next day. At lunch time the same day, I got into my car and went through a local drive thru. On the way back, the vehicle stalled out WHILE driving. It stalled out repeatedly driving the 3 blocks to my office. Knowing the vehicle was unsafe, I had it towed to the dealership. The dealership has had my vehicle for two weeks. Changing all the emission parts, and tried to tell me I had no oil in the car (regular maintenance through them is up to date). Now they keep telling me, they are waiting for the Kia hotline to contact them. I do know this, the car was burning excessive oil. Parts of the engine were gunked up from this. Engine started stalling out. It's the exact description of the recalled 2021 Kia problems, yet they claim not mine it was not part of the recall. These engines are dangerous. Kia is doing NOTHING to resolve the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501026January 10, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, PARKING BRAKE
Purchased this 2023 Kia Soul on 12/9/2022 from Gateway Kia of North Brunswick, the incident occurred on 12/30/2022 and subsequently occurred a second time after that, I don't have the exact date for the second occurrence. Both occurrences happened with less than 1000 miles on the vehicle. After driving I put the transmission into PARK, with my foot still on the brake pedal, I applied the parking brake (this model has a manual brake you pull not the electric brake) this brake is also known as the "emergency brake" or "hand brake." After a few seconds with my foot still on the brake pedal I heard a loud bang and the parking brake disengaged all by itself, all the way back down. It just slipped. If the vehicle had been in neutral it could have rolled away. Just so happens that both times this happened I was on a relatively flat surface but the vehicle could still have rolled slowly. I contacted the dealer I bought it from today, 1/10/2023, not to make an appointment for service but to let them know this happened so it's on their radar in case another Kia vehicle comes in with the same problem. If I were to bring it in for them to look at it, they most likely won't be able to duplicate it and send me home telling me it's fine so I don't want to waste my time. If it happens again I will be contacting the manufacturer and for sure escalating the issue, in the mean time I just make sure to park on a surface that is as flat as possible and of course make sure to keep the transmission in PARK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500854January 9, 2023
ENGINE
I was parked at the curb in front of a house, the engine running. I tried to go in reverse, nothing happened but my car kept getting closer to the car in front of me til I was touching the car. The person came and moved his car. With difficulty, I turned the steering wheel left and rolled out into the street but couldn't turn left when I tried. I was sitting in the middle of a four way intersection and people had to go around me. I sat there for about 20 min with the engine running, unable to move. Finally the car started to move and I was able to drive and control the car again. It was very frightening. Nobody has inspected the car yet. I'm trying to get in contact with the dealer to have it looked at.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500584January 7, 2023
ENGINE
On 12/28 at approximately 5:00 pm my vehicle shut off 2 times within a span of 30 minutes while I was driving it. It happened on approach to a highway. It was NOT the Stop-Start System. My car was moving while it happened. My car lost all power, and every warning indicator flashed in my dash and I even lost my power steering. I took my car to KIA and they categorized this as my car “stalling”, but I wouldn’t say that is accurate. My car’s computer seems to have malfunctioned or was hacked. Indeed KIA’s repair document shows that they performed a software update on my car to solve this. My car’s engine was certainly malfunctioning while driving on 12/28 after both events of losing all power to my car. It sounded like my engine was in the wrong gear after these events. I didn’t drive my car after that episode and KIA refused to tell me what was wrong after they “repaired it” and performed a software update. This article yesterday about KIA/other auto’s breached is unnerving. I don’t feel safe driving the car and wish I had the ability to cut off KIA’s API to my car while driving. They should only be allowed to perform software updates or access the car’s computer remotely while the car is stationary and the driver should be alerted that KIA or a third party is accessing the car’s computer and/or engine, etc. I just want to make sure if I get in a serious accident that this is on record. https://www.cyberscoop.com/car-hackers-vulnerabilities-research/
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500246January 5, 2023
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While crossing an intersection a Jeep Gladiator ran a red light causing my vehicle to hit it broad side. Front and side airbags did not deploy. The frontend was damaged is buckled, hood about 6", fenders crushed and the grill was destroyed. Driver's door wouldn't open. The seatbelt didn't restrain my wife enogh to keep her from hitting the steering wheel. This caused bruises on her leg , abdomen and chest areas.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11498470December 21, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Last night was the first time I drove it in the dark while it was raining. The headlights absolutely SUCK!!! I’ve had daytime running lights that were brighter! I’ve had 6 volt headlights that were brighter! I probably have flashlights that are brighter! It’s seriously dangerous, in my humble opinion. There were times where the painted road stripes were worn down, no street lights, and I was literally driving blind. I was worried about driving off the road, or into oncoming traffic, as I could not see the road ahead of me. I will not drive this vehicle at night again. It's not safe. No one from the dealership or manufacturer has inspected my car. I assume all of the 2023 Soul trim levels are the same. The headlight system is a new design for the 2023 model year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491280October 28, 2022
ENGINE, STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP mode and stalled. On another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to vibrate after the accelerator pedal was depressed and the front driver’s and passenger’s side headlights failed to operate. Additionally, the contact stated that she took the vehicle to the car wash and noticed that fuel had leaked onto the tires. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that tire shine was on the tires not fuel. The contact also stated that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490664October 24, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Horn fails to operate. 2nd time for this car. 1st time was repaired by dealer as warranty. Now failed again. Car only has 14000 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490326October 21, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine is consuming increasingly high amounts of oil with no leaks, far surpassing the one quart per 1000 miles. Oil pressure lamp has illuminated on 1-2 occasions, only briefly, and shortly before I took it to the dealership. Unusual noises coming from the engine while accelerating and also after I stop. I had my oil changed 1 week ago, unusual noises have not improved. Currently awaiting inspection at the dealership for manufacturer warranty coverage for repair of this issue, but seems to have all the earmarks and the production date (9/20) that line up with the piston ring recall, though they say my vehicle is not covered by the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488642October 10, 2022
ENGINE
I believe my specific vehicle should also be assigned the recall no. 21v259000. My vehicle experienced engine stall, loss of power and leaking oil onto hit components which could have resulted in fire. I was stalled and in traffic and could also have been in hit by another vehicle. The engine is now having to be replaced at the dealership. I am told my car is not part of the above mentioned recall even though the motor in my vehicle matches the motor on the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486261September 25, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
I am driving on the highway. No construction. No traffic. Cruising. No problems. I get a dashboard warning "WRONG WAY! Turn around safely" It was on for at least 10minutes. Very worrisome. But the lane assist was still working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485768September 21, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When exiting the highway, I pushed on brake to slow down and car accelerated at fast speed and had to use emergency brake.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484300September 13, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the message displayed on the instrument panel to "Shift to park(P) or neutral(N) Before Starting engine". Additionally, there was a battery discharged message displayed. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic found no cause of the failure. The contact stated that an unknown sensor was reset however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473151July 9, 2022
ENGINE
good day my kia soul consumes excessive oil. I have noticed it since the last three oil changes and when you turn it on you can hear a slight knocking in the engine. I took it to the dealer but they demand a deposit of 300 dollars to check it and they do not guarantee original parts. I think it is unfair that they demand three hundred dollars to check it when my kia soul has 25,600 miles and has a guarantee and I demand that my guarantee be honored and my safety be guaranteed. thanks for your attention
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471802June 30, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471615June 29, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On May 15, 2022 my house burned and all my belongings and the home were a total loss. The fire origination specialist brought in by my homeowners Insurance Company reported the back left of the garage was the origination spot and that my 2021 Kia Soul was parked face in on the left side of the garage. The car was charred and the Chrysler 300 parked next to it was also damaged but recognizable. The Kia had been unused for 24 hours plus. Both the auto and home owners insurance companies are investigating the Kia as the source at a salvage company in Lumberton, NC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
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

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