Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11751809July 21, 2026
ENGINE
My 2018 Kia Soul has failed on oil consumption test and needs and engine replacement. Kia knows of these issues with these cars but will not cover the engine replacement cost bc the class action suit does not cover oil consumption failure only rod bearings. This will be an issue sooner or later with the oil problem. Kia has several recalls on other vehicles for the exact same thing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751913July 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At 63387 miles my backup camera on my 2020 KIA Soul EX stopped working without warning. It will blink on and off occasionally but is generally just a black screen when placed in reverse. All of the other screens work fine. This is concerning to me as it is an important safety feature. It seems like KIA would repair such an item at no charge. I called my local KIA outside of Dallas about the issue and I was told the repair would cost at least $800. I’ve gotten used to using my mirrors again but it’s concerning I no longer have a backup screen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751625July 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Took my vehicle in a year ago for the oil piston recall to the Kia dealer in North Huntington, Pa. I was told they corrected the recall during other servicing. My vehicle just broke down and is unable to be driven due to this unresolved issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751366July 19, 2026
ENGINE
Check engine light came on and car was out of oil even though an oil change was done about a month ago. Catalytic converter was replaced once already. Per mechanic excess heat caused out to leak catalytic converter needs replacing again and now engine is damaged as all engine oil leaks out where it cannot be detected on ground. Danger of fire according to recall sc176 and mechanic. Car was smoking so it has been parked for safety to avoid fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751048July 17, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact became aware of a burning rubber odor and observed grey and brown smoke coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that a fire had started underneath the front of the vehicle. The local Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. While exiting the vehicle, the vehicle continued rolling and the rear driver’s side tire ran over both feet. The contact had two severely bruised feet; however, medical assistance was not sought. The vehicle was not towed or taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11751189July 17, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, there was a popping and knocking sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751021July 17, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH uphill, there was an abnormal knocking sound from the rod bearings inside the engine. The contact stated that the rod bearings had gone through the engine block, and there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle became inoperable after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The diagnostic test and repair were pending. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750744July 16, 2026
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was a misfire in the engine. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750779July 16, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle has 22000 miles and has a major/excessive oil consumption and engine failure. Exhaust camshaft (broken pin) Exhaust CVVT (broken pin) These components breaking caused the vehicle to stall and completely shut the vehicle down while driving 70 MPH on the freeway. The vehicle was inspected by a Kia certified mechanic and mentioned this is a well known concern. The only indicator that there was an issue was an engine light which gave a code representative of a faulty senor, not a major engine concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750863July 16, 2026
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
Noise while driving and over bumps and steering
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750480July 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a 2019 Kia Soul in June 2022. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has been stolen three separate times. During at least one theft, the steering column was damaged to bypass the ignition, and responding officers indicated the theft method was consistent with the widely reported Kia theft method. I had possession of my keys during the incidents. The repeated thefts created a significant safety risk, financial loss, and left me without reliable transportation. I am concerned the vehicle’s theft-deterrent system did not provide reasonable protection against unauthorized operation. Police reports were filed for each theft, and the incidents have been reported to Kia. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this vehicle’s anti-theft system presents a safety-related defect or warrants further investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750483July 15, 2026
ENGINE
On XXX my family and I were heading home from a family vacation. My engine burned through the oil that was put in my car on XXX. No low oil pressure light came on and there was no warning my vehicle had problems with the oil. We took our car to a Kia dealership in [XXX] and that’s when I was informed that my engine was burning oil. We had no prior knowledge that there was a problem. The service guy we were working with admitted that this issue was due to the fault engines from Kia and submitted a claim to get my engine replaced that was denied due to “low oil” 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
#11750558July 15, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jeff Smith Kia in Perry was doing the maintenance they went out of business Kia Hutchinson I told several employees more than once that I was having problems the car would slowly shut down and cut off start then stop on the hey I had to call tow trucks have rentals there was a chainsaw sound underneath had to constantly place oil in the car Kia Never contacted me about a recall the dealerships never communicated recalls on the engine and oil burning they placed me and my grandchildren at risk and say I have to pay $110000 for a new engine. A belt. Cadillac converter and I simply do not have that. School starts in a week 1/2 and I cannot get four children to school or make it to my Dr appointments tremendous hardship and safety concern because a mechanic told me the shutting down is a mechanism to keep the engine from catching on fire and exploding. I have been told by several Kia owners they had the same issue. Walmart mgr told me it is a manufacturer issue I should not have to pay for repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750671July 15, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was started, and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was turned off to stop the smoking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750368July 14, 2026
ENGINE
I was driving through a busy intersection when the vehicle stopped accelerating causing risk to myself and other drivers. I was able to get the vehicle through the intersection and pulled over. I turned the vehicle off and it would not restart. I had the vehicle towed to my local independent service center where a diagnostic was performed. It was found to be engine failure due to the connecting rod to the pistons. It resulted in a loud rod knock and white smoke from the engine. There were no warning lights or sounds or quality of driving prior to the failure until the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. Vehicle was regularly maintained. Kia is currently in a lawsuit due to engine failure but does not include my VIN even though it experienced the same exact cause of engine failure as many of their other vehicles. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representives.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750389July 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car will not lock via the key fob or automatic door locks. When you turn off the ignition and open the drivers door it chimes and you can not lock the doors. It’s in park, and I turn the steering wheel. I’ve unplugged the negative battery, and had the fuses checked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750027July 13, 2026
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the following day, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started, and the check engine warning light was off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair failure code was not illuminated. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 156,310.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750111July 13, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The engine has structural manufacturer defect causing extreme internal engine oil consumption with zero external leaks, creating a severe risk of sudden oil starvation catastrophic mechanical engine failure. The severe oil consumption problem was confirmed by a certified national corporate service center (Firestone Auto Care). An intermittent P0420 catalytic converter warning is actively appearing on the dashboard, which is a documented consequence of internal engine oil burning. When attempting to get this mechanical defect diagnosed and repaired under the class-action parameters, manufacturer dealerships (Findlay Kia and Jim Marsh Kia) declined to schedule the mandatory manufacturer diagnostic testing, preventing a known vehicle defect from being resolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750114July 13, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
White paint chipping
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749862July 12, 2026
ENGINE
Car stalls in traffic repeatedly. Code identified crank shaft .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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