Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11562547December 29, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and jerked. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, a burning odor was detected. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562247December 28, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
While driving at 55 miles per hour, the engine suddenly ceased, emitting black smoke, causing components to melt and necessitating the replacement of the short block. Consequently, the catalytic converter is now malfunctioning, likely due to the misfires the engine experienced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562295December 28, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle temporarily jerked. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving and depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who test-drove the vehicle and informed the contact that no failure was found. The independent mechanic reset the check engine warning light. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562299December 28, 2023
ENGINE
Changed oxygen sensor and check engine light is still on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562373December 28, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car has been recalled due to electronic control system fire danger. I am afraid to drive hiway 299 to Redding because my car might catch on fire. All of my services are are in or near Redding. I can't get a response from Kia, other than a pending recall notice. They claim to not know anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562414December 28, 2023
ENGINE
I had transmission changed out in May of 23 and then in November the check engine lights starts blinking and now I need a new engine, prior to needing a new engine the car would cut off it was loud and it wasn’t taking off like it should.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561997December 27, 2023
ENGINE
The engine consumes excessive oil, dropping it into the catalytic converter. This clogs the catalytic converter and causes it to overheat, creating a fire hazard. The car is on its 3rd catalytic converter in 5 years. The current one clogged in 18 months. My research indicates that this is a common issue because the rings in the gdi engine do not seat well, causing the excessive oil consumption. I've been without my car for 10 weeks, as of now, while it sits at the dealer, unable to be driven. It began at 39000 miles, then at 96000, now at 109000. But Kia won't do anything because it hasn't thrown a rod and is now past the 100k mile warranty. This entire situation should be covered under the Theta II recall, but they get out of it by requiring a connecting rod or piston failure. The dealership service manager agrees that faulty rings and oil consumption IS a piston failure, but Kia does not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562008December 27, 2023
ENGINE
My vehicle check engine came on and it went into limp mode, and I was unable to accelerate over 60mph on my trip from Greensboro, NC to Wilmington, NC. I drove the entire 200 miles in the right lane with my flashers on. To have it towed would have cost me over $600, so I decided to drive. This was the third time this has happened to this vehicle in the past 12 months and each time Coastal Kia said it was fixed and it wasn't. They told me that the code that kept coming up was a knock sensor, but they told me that whatever was causing the knock sensor code was not covered under warranty. They refused to tell me what was causing the knock sensor code because they said that it would cost me too much money. They told me that the rod bearing test was negative, but they would not tell me what the actual problem was. Since they couldn't fix the problem, they did not charge me for labor, but they did make me pay the $1200 for the car rental. I immediately traded the vehicle in for a Honda Fit. Honda gave me $4500 for a trade in on my Kia Soul which, in my opinion, was worth at least $8000. I know that there was a class action suit against Kia that included my Kia Soul. I was hoping to get at least partial reimbursement for the financial loss of having to trade in my vehicle for less than what it was worth and for having to pay the full cost of the rental vehicle. The whole situation just seemed like some type of cover up, like they new what the problem was, but didn't want to make it public for some reason. Please see attached files. Thank You! [XXX] PS: your website would not allow me to upload a copy of the Kia invoice. Please tell me how I can submit the invoice to you by sending me an email to [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
#11562072December 27, 2023
ENGINE
Oil consumption and engine stall. Engine light flashing. Taken to two Kia dealerships no resolution. Mechanic ran test to see engine recall issue. Still careless months later.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562157December 27, 2023
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:VEHICLE CONTROLS:SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to park on an incline, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration which resulted in a crash. The contact crashed into a handicap ramp. The vehicle then unintended accelerated in reverse where the vehicle crashed into a cement pole and a bush. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence pending another tow by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,114.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562195December 27, 2023
ENGINE
I have contacted KIA Corp. and advised them that my 2012 KIA Soul ! with 146,500 miles was consuming so much oil that the KIA dealership had to replace my engine for $5000 and that I had to pay it. Why won't KIA Corp reimburse me? It is under 150,000 miles. They advise me that they would pay a Good Will fee to me and never did !!! The KIA dealership always did my oil changes on time and have records of them. KIA Corp should reimburse me for a GOOD WILL FEE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561833December 26, 2023
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561948December 26, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating, there was black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561737December 25, 2023
AIR BAGS
Driving 36 mph and got hit in drive side and the airbags didn't deploy
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11561508December 22, 2023
STEERING
This involves the MDPS steering wheel coupler. Spoke with Kia care center 12/20/23 Amy said notice was sent to owners in 2019 I NEVER RECIEVED ANY NOTICE ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE A VERY LOUND CLUNKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE I HAVE OWED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2016. Just purchased another vehicle in October 2023 because of the Kia problems. Kia is NOT going to fix the problem!! And i have another recall on the car so it is parked at my neighbors house for fear of it catching on fire!! I am paying for full coverage insurance on a vehicle i can't drive or sell!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561249December 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
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 contact stated while driving 30 MPH and accelerating to merge into traffic, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 159,198. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561304December 21, 2023
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 repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact had noticed that the check engine light was illuminated while driving at approximately 60 MPH. The contact stated as he was waiting to enter his place of employment through a security gate to his parking lot, the contact stated he smelled a burning odor and then noticed that smoke was being emitted from under the hood. The contact entered the parking lot, drove the vehicle to a maintenance shed inside the parking lot, and opened the hood he observed that flames had engulfed the engine compartment. The contact stated that he tried to extinguish the flames using a handheld fire extinguisher but the flames were not extinguished. The contact stated that the fire department arrived and extinguished the fire using water. The contact stated that the fire was contained in the engine compartment only. The contact stated that he had his vehicle towed to his residence and had not been taken to a dealer or repair shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561327December 21, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE
My engine is burning oil on the pistons and does not retain oil. I am having to top the engine oil off every 10-14 days. I went in to repair the catalytic converter, but I was told by the dealership that if I repair the converter, because I have a bad engine, it would be useless. The first warning sign was an H2O engine error that remains. My safety with a bad engine is put at risk with every drive. the problem has been occurring for over a year, and in addition, the brake lights in the front of the vehicle does not work, although it has been diagnosed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561211December 20, 2023
ENGINE
(re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II, No. (XXX) NHTSA Recalls: 20V750; 19V120 Kia Soul began leaking oil as a result of rod bearing issues prior to 145,000 miles. Took to repair shop several times to refill oil because oil levels were rapidly depleting. This led to Engine failure, leaving my vehicle inoperable. Kia refuses to replace the engine. Class action settlement provides warranty extension to 15yrs/150,000 miles for effected vehicles. Settlement states, "You are not required to complete the KSDS update to obtain the Extended Warranty if your vehicle was previously recalled under NHTSA Recall Numbers 20V750." My vehicle was recalled under 20V750 and should qualify under settlement for warranty extension. Representative with Kia Customer Care stated on 12/20/23 that my vehicle does not qualify for warranty extension because the KSDS update was not completed. This violates the settlement agreement as my vehicle was recalled under NHTSA 20V750. Further, I purchased my vehicle from Archer Kia in Sugarland, TX. Any recalls or updates should have been completed by the dealership before selling to any consumer. Additionally, Archer Kia did not update me as the owner. The engine recall notice was sent to previous owner. I am requesting that Kia replace my vehicle's engine as soon as possible. I have had several phone calls with Kia Customer Care in which I am repeatedly put on hold or transferred. This has caused me to spend hours on the phone with no resolution. I suspect this is a tactic to delay and/or avoid honoring the court ordered warranty extension for a faulty engine. 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
#11560820December 19, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Experiencing issues with the catalyst or catalyst converters. Misfire and codes as well as check engine light present
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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