Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11582759April 13, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Intermittent problem with acceleration. Very occasionally, 200+ miles between episodes, while accelerating, the car slows down. When this happens the gas pedal fades similar to brake fade when brakes are about to fail. It lasts 2-3 seconds and then returns to normal. There are no error codes. Has occurred while driving on the freeway and when accelerating from a stop. There have been 5-10 incidences of this in the past 12 months, because the problem is so intermittent, mechanics are unable to reproduce it. We have replaced the throttle position sensor The local Kia dealer and independent mechanics are unable to shed any light on why this may occur. An internet search found other owners of Kia cars with similar complaints
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582802April 13, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving and my check engine code went on , I got it checked by autozone and it was for the catalytic converter. My car has since ran horribly, there feels like a lag in acceleration and it makes a hissing/air noise that comes from the catalytic converter it gets overheated and causes my car to go in limp mode and when I asked a mechanic friend they said it’s very clogged which has caused me to park my car and not drive it because I was recommended to not drive it being in this condition then I was send a recall in email. It has one owner and we have kept up with maintenance very well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582825April 13, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Reoccurring check engine light for the omissions system. Damage to the catalytic converter, diagnostic codes. Poor gas mileage and abnormal engine combustion. Oil is burning extremely fast in engine, having to get oil changes more frequently. Incident where vehicle was driving, came to a complete stop and would not accelerate in the middle of heavy traffic. Had to replace all 4 fuel injections and spark plugs due to how ineffective the GDI engine runs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582500April 12, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
So I purchased a 2012 Kia Soul A few months ago and since I got it the car has been having issues with accelerating the car delays to respond and I have had many closed calls specifically when entering a freeway the car losses power and I have to really press on the pedal for the vehicle to respond then the check engine light started to come on showing Code P0420 Catalyst operating below minimum threshold. I looked up online and all Kia souls starting from 2012 have a recall regarding the Catalyst converter and because of the issue my vehicle is having a weird rattling or knocking sound on the engine I looked up online and this is what I found Kia Motors America (Kia) is voluntarily recalling 2012–2016 Kia Soul vehicles with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines due to high exhaust gas temperatures that may damage the catalytic converter. This could cause abnormal engine combustion, damage to pistons, and possibly failed piston connecting rod. Recall consequence Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. So at this point I’m not felling safe driving this vehicle anymore and I need my vehicle because I need it for work and to move my family around and the worst thing is that all this is cutting back on my income because I purchased this car for Uber & Lyft rides but I can’t do it I wouldn’t want to put other peoples life in danger knowing that the vehicle isn’t responding like it’s supposed to so please I need assistance or guidance on what to do to get this situation resolved as soon as possible because I wasted all muy funds purchasing this vehicle and at this point I can’t afford to pay someone to make any repairs my own vehicle pls don’t disregard my situation I’m out of options at this point thank you and have a great day Date 04-11-24 Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582548April 12, 2024
ENGINE
The Kia has been using oil sind 78000 miles I've been going to dealership now going on 2 years for issues with the engine. Feb 2024 they put a catalytic converter on. On [XXX] I called told them check engine light was flashing and was rattling and running rough Nick Sheets told me to bring it back on Saturday the [XXX] at 10:00 am. On way to bring it in on the highway [XXX] bypass the car quit and there was a tractor trailer behind me blowing his horn and throwing his hands up air but I couldn't do anything. I turned my emergency flashes on and tried to motion for people to go around me. My friend came and helped me get car off road until wrecker came to tow it to the dealership. Upon arrival they did a combustion test or whatever and said engine was blown. 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
#11582652April 12, 2024
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) however, the vehicle experienced a failure related to the recall. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure and recommended that the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,822.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582693April 12, 2024
ENGINE
On April 11, 2024, customer's check engine light came on on his 2015 Kia Soul. It was clear, dry, and fair temperature day. Owner was returning home from a routine trip from work on an outer road to a highway. The next day the vehicle was taken to Firestone Auto Service which ran a diagnostic report and found that the catalytic convertor was the issue (SEE FIRESTONE UPLOAD). Firestone recommended vehicle be taken back to original dealer to address the issue since there was a recall. Records show that the dealership addressed the February 2019 catalytic recall on 5/2/2019 (SEE KIA DOC UPLOAD). KIA Customer Service told owner that KIA is not liable to address the catalytic converter problem under warranty (free) because they had already closed out the recall on this particular vehicle on 5/2/2019. CUSTOMER COMPLAINT: Kia should be liable to fix the catalytic converter problem at no charge to the owner because the recall service done has failed to prevent the overheating of the catalytic converter. The KIA Soul had only 75,822 miles on it when this issue was discovered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582335April 11, 2024
ENGINE, AIR BAGS
The recalls on my car has not yet been resolved. I took the car to CarTown Kia Florence South Carolina and the one in Columbia. First time was at CarTown Kia Florence, they had every excuse that they were short of staff and my car sit there for over a month and claim that I needed to fix the head gasket was the issue in order to do the engine inspection and fix the recall. I took it to the Columbia location and they didn't do the recall but gave me a list of things and mentioned that the recall was not covered under the recall warranty. I'm not sure what that means when I clearly have a recall issue and the car is doing exactly that according to the issues for the recall. I told both places my car was doing exactly what the issues are stating in the recall in order to remedy it according to the remedy. But nothing has been done to fix the recalls issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582254April 10, 2024
STEERING
My Kia Soul started having play in the steering and sounding clunky when driving. I took it in today to Jeff Eyler Kia on Mitchell Ave Cincinnati Ohio to do recalls and to check this out. They said I should replace the whole steering wheel. Online there are many complaints about this steering problem yet you have not made Kia to recall. It seems that it is a plastic part coupler yet the Kia dealer service is trying to get me to replace the whole column. What is being done about all these complaints. I see on the complaint website there has been 6 accidents and 2 deaths. Please do something.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581646April 8, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Bought car in March 2023, two days after purchasing the light came on with code 0456. Which is a small evap leak. Got multiple fixes with various mechanics including dealer. And no one can figure out what is wrong with it. It shows as a permanent code not allowing for emissions. Spent thousands and called corporate Kia and they were no help. So car had a permanent code which seems to be an electrical issue from computer not sensing the right thing as the car drives perfectly fine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581727April 8, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581771April 8, 2024
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rumbling sound was coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a defect with the engine. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which was linked to the failure. The contact then stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the engine failure was confirmed. The contact was also referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that since a prior unknown recall repair was not performed; the engine recall would not be honored. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581793April 8, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who observed that the engine was knocking, and diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 161,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581457April 6, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The exact issue with the catalytic converter you have in the 1.6 engines my neighbor has it too. You should be replacing these not charging 2500 for repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581300April 5, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581341April 5, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581388April 5, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
An NHTSA Recall Number SC284AM was issued on September 25, 2023. The Recall states "URGENT: FIRE RISK WHEN PARKED," and advises owners to park out of doors, and away from other vehicles. This is absolute insanity and irresponsibility. I received a letter from KIA in November, 2013 about this Recall (over 5 months ago). As of this date, 4/5/2024, they do still not have the necessary part for the HECU system, which I understand to be a fuse. Considering the extremely HIGH RISK and personal exposure involved in this Recall, I feel the lengthy delay in resolving the problem to be outrageous. Please advise ASAP. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581053April 4, 2024
ENGINE
Pistion Rings
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581095April 4, 2024
ENGINE
Second time in last six months car went into “limp mode” with the knock sensor. First time it was “just” a faulty knock sensor and under warranty. Happens again now it’s the all too well known the oil is burning too fast on this engine. Kia/hyundai will not take this under warranty as it is not a rod bearing issue while numerous owners have the exact same issue. This cars engine can probably fail at any time with this oil issue continually happening. The cars oil has been maintained per manual and was not expecting an oil change yet the level is way too low already (3000ish which is way before the 5000 mile mark per owners manual and Kia)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581096April 4, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was independently braking. The contact stated that she was able to pull over, the vehicle stopped, and the engine was still running. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated; however, the vehicle would not move forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that she pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and then attempted to restart the vehicle, but had to wait for over 20 minutes until the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but occurred at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that she smelled a burning plastic odor after another failure. The contact had spoken to a dealer but was informed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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