Kia Soul Complaints (2012)

516 consumer complaints on file.

#11519953May 2, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash no air bags deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury which did not require medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. In a second incident, the vehicle crashed down an embankment, and again no airbags had deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury that did not require medical treatment. Recently while operating the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and the engine was burning excessive oil and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11517347April 17, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2012 Kia Soul 4dr wagon engine fail no warning lights sudden strange noise driving on highway with grandbabies. Heard a strange noise under hood then the vehicle lost acceleration and right before shutting down and dying the oil light came on and car went dead. No warning to any problem. Had the oil changed and double checked new oil was replaced. When I opened the hood and checked the oil their was no oil in vehicle it was as if it was drained out yet have no oil leaks to show it leaked out. If the oil disappears and no warning lights show no oil and car just dies on highway that is engine failure and burning up engine leading to fires and danger to drivers and passengers. 2012 Kia Soul 75,262 miles well maintained should not just be driving along engine malfunction and die and oil has disappeared. Let alone possibility needing new engine. Very scary and not safe to drive as the vehicle immediately dies on busy highway so by given no warning till last second the drivers behind me had no warning and luckily no accident was caused but possible it could be a serious problem. Apparently other people are having same engine issue reading online forum that several incidents missing oil and engine failure with little or no warning but hearing strange noise and engine shutting down and oil missing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516992April 14, 2023
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL JERKS AND MOVES SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516297April 10, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a clicking noise was present coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering coupler was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact noticed that after retrieving the vehicle that the noise had become louder and more pronounced when turning the steering wheel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515984April 7, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The series of events leading to my theory of what is wrong with my 2012 Kia Soul: 1. Steering coupler replacement in March of 2021 left my steering wheel sideways instead of straight, air bag light remains on, and traction control light as well. The after-market (I assume) cruise control is automatically on when car is started. Must turn off manually. 2. U-joint connecting to steering column fell onto my feet while driving in December of 2021. I slid it back on, but it slipped off approximately 4 more times in the next month before it was strongly secured. 3. Alignment performed in February 2022. Approximately 2 weeks after the alignment, my car started stuttering, if you will, prior to shifting into third gear. Then, again, prior to each shift into the higher gears. It stalled a few times in response to this action. While accelerating, the car begins to jerk severely, as if the brakes are being pumped. It doesn't do this immediately, but only begins once it's warmed up. Several sensors have been replaced. Fuel filter replaced. It's a standard, but the transmission was replaced after I purchased it in 2018. After hooking up to the code scanner at the parts store, the Steering Tilt Sensor is the code shown. My theory is this: When the steering coupler was replaced leaving my steering wheel in the turned position, and then aligning it with it in the wrong position, that threw the tilt code. Maybe it's jerking because it thinks I'm turning when I'm not, and it could possibly be engaging the abs to slow me down while it thinks I'm turning. Would I be wrong in assuming that if I get the steering wheel straightened, get another alignment, and clear the steering tilt sensor, my car will act normal again? I am uncertain what system or part failed, but it is definitely available to be inspected. I could have died when the u-joint fell off if I hadn't been almost to a stop sign every time. The problem continues, but has not been addressed or confirmed by a dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515669April 5, 2023
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact retrieved DTC code: P0420 (Low catalyst system efficiency) using a handheld diagnostic tool and drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact reported that he informed the dealer that DTC code: P0420 (Low catalyst system efficiency) was related to the catalytic convertor. The dealer advised that they would replace the catalytic convertor if he paid for the spark plug replacement. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,951. The contact changed out the spark plugs but was still getting check engine lights for the catalytic converter. The manufacturer denied the contact's request for a rental car. No other assistance has been provided yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515170April 3, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph a loud popping sound originated from the undercarriage on the driver's side. The contact witnessed smoke coming from the engine compartment and veered to the vehicle side of the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact was then notified by pedestrians, that a fire was originating from the engine compartment, and the contact exited the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a report was available. Additionally, the contact stated that the Engine Oil Level and the check engine safety light had been illuminated for three days prior to the failure, and approximately three quarts of oil were added four to five days before the fire. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514900April 1, 2023
STEERING
Something is wrong with my steering wheel/column. when driving, the steering wheel has unusual movement, such as jerking and popping with the slight movement made by driving or sitting still while car is cranked up and if the road is not smooth, any slight bump, something in the steering column is popping. i am afraid for my life and others on the road if i lose control of steering. my mechanic has told me the problem is the "Coupler" that is a plastic ring. How can that be? this is dangerous. i only have 43K on my Kia and had to park it recently due to it getting worse due to being dangerous to drive. i see many complaints of this same problem. Why has it not been recalled? I love my Kia Soul. Please fix this problem.Thanks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514156March 28, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed her that the spark plugs were flooded with oil. The independent mechanic replaced the spark plugs and the fuel cap gasket. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with a damaged catalytic converter. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513493March 23, 2023
STEERING
My steering wheel clicks while I drive,hit bumps, turn it,it also locks sometimes when I turn it.this scares me to death I'm afraid I won't be able to control it it's going to snap off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512343March 17, 2023
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to his place of employment. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 99,760.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511514March 13, 2023
STEERING
Clicking in the steering. Seems to be the flex coupler
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508159February 20, 2023
ENGINE
We were driving and the car just shutdown, luckily at a stop sign. Wouldn't turn back on, and nothing when we tried to jump it. Had it towed to the nearest service center in town and were told a rod punctured the block and the engine is blown. The service center said they had seen this happen before and to contact a Kia dealership to check on a recall. I talked to the Kia dealership in Topeka, KS and they said Kia had been denying requests to replace the engine, if the recall update had not been done. We never received any information about the car having a recall or needing an update, so therefore it was never performed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507549February 16, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING
Unknown. Piston rings have blown, oil leaking into muffler.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503717January 25, 2023
STEERING
Apparently the steering coupler has started to fail in my 2012 Kia Soul. Thousands of reported failures but no recall from Kia? How can this be? When the $5 part fails, the car isn't able to steer. If this happens on the highway you could die.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501883January 15, 2023
ENGINE
When the car gets to 60mph it loses power and slows down. No matter how much you press the gas it will not get above 60 and seems to struggle there.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499487December 30, 2022
ENGINE
Recall 19V120 received 4-12-19 was addressed by Burlington Kia in May 2019. The COP ECU logic was upgraded. The car was not running well in 2022 - hesitating, misfiring, but it did not throw a code so no one could diagnose the issue. Spark plugs were changed but that did not solve the issue. The check engine light came on in Oct 2022 and the diagnosis was that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. I called the Kia Consumer Assistance number, filed a claim with them, and waited for close to two months for a response. The basis of the claim is that they did not resolve the issue with the COP logic upgrade and the catalytic converter should be replaced, at no cost to us, per the recall notice. The claim was denied by Kia. We ended up replacing the catalytic converter at Burlington Kia, at a cost of $2201.88. We picked up the car, drove it for two days, and it began running rough again, hesitating and stalling. The check engine light came on again. We took it back to Burlington Kia who now diagnosed it as needing new spark plugs which will be another $300 expense. We are waiting for it to be repaired. Our concerns now is that when we pick it up again, it's not just going to be a spark plug issue and the catalytic converter fail, which was never corrected in the recall, will cause engine failure, or worse, an engine fire as there is a similar recall on other Kia models underway now. We are looking for reimbursement from Kia for the catalytic converter fail, per the recall notice and a guarantee that them not replacing the converter with the 2019 recall will not result in engine damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497849December 17, 2022
STEERING
This is a widely known issue with this vehicle. The rubber steering coupler wears out way too prematurely causing the steering wheel to have excessive play in it. This is dangerous. Please require KIA to issue a recall for this issue. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497894December 17, 2022
ENGINE
It started as a little tapping for about 5 days in the engine compartment when it was running then turned to giant clunking when the gas was pressed as well
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496439December 7, 2022
ENGINE
1.Excessive Oil consumption - Yes available for inspection. 2. I'm afraid of where the oil could be going in my engine and what that might cause. 3.Went to Kia and showed proof of oil consumption, employee seemed familiar with the engine problem but I was told there is no recall on this and I should trade the car in. "just not here." he said. 4. Only after 1,500 miles my oil lamp flashed on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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