Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11540521August 24, 2023
ENGINE
NHTSA - I own a 2016 Kia Soul that has a damaged failing engine; the problem is excessive oil consumption. This defect is causing motor oil to migrate into areas of the engine that it shouldn't be, thus inevitably causing a catastrophic failure; rendering the engine inoperable and irreparable. The oil pressure warning light came on only after the damage was done. Horne Kia in Gilbert Arizona, where I purchased the vehicle, inspected it and found this to be true. However Horne Kia and Kia corporate will not repair or authorize repair, respectively. I was told to continue driving it until the engine is completely destroyed in order to have it repaired...WHAT. So I'm being told that the engine will definitely seize-up and fail leaving me stranded; this is a safety nightmare. What if I'm driving on a highway when this happens. What if the engine failure causes me to lose control of my vehicle and cause who knows what. This not only puts me at risk, it puts others driving around me at risk as well; not to mention passengers that may be in my vehicle. Now there's gasoline mixing with the oil. Beside all of the aforementioned, now there's also a risk of engine compartment fire and loss of life.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540536August 24, 2023
ENGINE
The 2019 Kia soul is burning threw almost 2 quarts of oil a week now. It has been ran once just about to the point where there was no oil in the car. Never had a check engine light or low oil pressure light come on. The vehicle from boardman Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540235August 23, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2016 Kia Soul with 1.6L engine. I am the 2nd owner. The previous owner got the knock sensor update but the catalytic converter still failed after the update. Now I have a flashing engine light and P1326 code along with the P40 code for faulty catalytic converter. There is a recall for 2016 Kia Soul engines but when I go to the Kia site and type in my VIN there is no recall showing for my VIN even though I own a 2016 Kia Soul. I think this is wrong and should be corrected. Also Kia keeps telling me that they won't fix my catalytic converter because it falls outside the 80k mile warranty. I am at 90k miles. Yet, the knock sensor was updated and there is currently a recall. The recall should supercede the warranty in this instance. Also I took the car in to have the Kia dealer diagnose my knocking engine and 1326 code. They are saying that even though my car isn't drivable and The engine is malfunctioning, because my car didn't fail the piston ring test I don't qualify for the engine recall repair. All of this is unfair. If my car is exhibiting all the signs that the engine is about to blow why do I have to drive my car until it actually does blow before something can be done? This is unsafe not only for me but others as well. Not to it's completely unfair to me as a consumer who purchased this car in good faith. Kia needs to update ALL Vin numbers instead of consumers having to find out the hard way that there is indeed a recall on their vehicle. Dealerships should be part of the process of updating the manufacturer of new owners information so that new owners can be notified of any recalls. It makes no sense that only the first owner gets information regardless if they still own the vehicle or not. Lastly I would like to reiterate; Kia telling people they have zero recalls on cars that ARE actually part of a recall is outright lying. Kia needs to post ALL recall information to their website regardless to if you input your VIN # By not doing this they Lie
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540291August 23, 2023
ENGINE
The contact’s friend owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no indication of a leak or burning oil. The driver added 3 quarts of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who performed a leak test. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back after driving 1,000 miles for additional testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 147,659.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540368August 23, 2023
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud popping or banging sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering was inoperable however, the braking system was functional. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle off the roadway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539975August 22, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Uvo infotainment system speakers not working. Radio works, but the only thing you can hear is the beep of the buttons when you push them on the screen. It keeps resetting itself as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540063August 22, 2023
ENGINE
My engine failed while my wife and I were riding in the vehicle, putting our safety at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540154August 22, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
My catalytic converter went out on my Kia while driving unexpectedly and I have heard of a lot of other Kias in my year have the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540150August 22, 2023
AIR BAGS
I had a crash that severely impacted the front end of this vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. I have minor injuries.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11539837August 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
i BOUGHT A 2016 kIA sOUL WITH 52.000 MILES ON IT SOME TIMES WHEN I PUT IT IN dRIVE IT BACKS UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539893August 21, 2023
ENGINE
I own a 2015 kia soul 2.0 GDI engine, was coming home, the car surged twice and started knocking. I imediatly pulled over and killed the car. Had the car checked, spun the number 3 cylinder connecting rod bearing. Went from running perfict to torn up engine, it's a shame I.ve taken very good care of this car. Synthetic oil every 5 thousand miles. Called kia they said my car isn't on the list. The guy who did the inspection said it's the exact same problem on multiple vehicles, same exact problem, number three cylinder, connecting rod bearing. 136,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539894August 21, 2023
STEERING
Beginning of June 2023 started noticing a problem with steering wheel, rattles and feels loose when turning left or right. Kia dealership said its the flex coupling needs to be replaced can get worse to the point can't steer car. This should be a recall on this car. I've never had a car that had problem with steering, can be pretty serious if it can cause an accident. Im getting it inspected, will cost approximately $400.00 to replace.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539908August 21, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750000 (Engine) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that coolant had intruded into the engine had caused damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 218,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539656August 20, 2023
STEERING
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? MDSP, Steering wheel. The steering wheel makes a loud click/clang sound when turning the wheel right or left. This occurs when car is in parking or moving condition. Yes, it is available upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My teenage son (high school) and wife are the main drivers and are now very concerned about their safety. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No not yet. Kia has informed us that the 10 yr extended warranty has expired and they will not be able to cover this issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No not yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539182August 17, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle had been idling roughly. The contact stated that the engine would vibrate and shake the entire vehicle while stopped at a traffic signal. The contact stated that she was adding amount of engine oil to the vehicle every week. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed and determined the engine had passed a mandatory engine test. The contact was not advised if the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software had been updated. The contact stated that following the recall, the engine failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539186August 17, 2023
AIR BAGS
I was involved in a high speed car accident last week where the impact made me hit my head on the steering wheel. My air bags never deployed even though the other driver was going at least 70mph. My vehicle is a total loss.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11538960August 16, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving the vehicle the car shuts off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538964August 16, 2023
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538822August 16, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling sound present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle failed to properly accelerate, and the vehicle stalled on several occasions. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was diagnosed at the local dealer and determined that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539009August 16, 2023
ENGINE, STEERING
On 8/15/23 I received my car back from the dealership after almost a month of repairs, trying to fix the issue where it would turn itself on and where it shut down while driving 45 miles an hour; at various points I was told it was the crankshaft, camshaft, spark plugs, fuel injectors, the pcm and a connector that was overheating. Yesterday, 8/15/23 the car was stuck in a long crank cycle. I notified the dealership. They told me to call kia. I drove the car to pick my husband up from the airport. While driving home the car suddenly accelerated, cars lights shut off, and the steering wheel made a hard turn to the left, the steering wheel then locked, sending us towards a ditch, and the car shut off, and the brakes locked. Right as we hit the edge of the irrigation ditch the car turned back on, the brakes went soft, and the steering wheel unlocked. While trying to correct the car the lane assist turned on (I never use it) causing us to further fishtail and almost drive into a telephone pole and another ditch. The back and forth motion caused me to pull a muscle in my neck, and I have had a migraine since the incident. I have been unable to seek medical care. When the car was stopped, the oil cap started sucking and blowing hot air, and the engine had a light knocking noise, somewhere between a lifter tick and a rod knock. When trying to use the Kia assist in the car it could not locate where we were, resulting in Kia trying to charge us for a tow. I have had the car a month, but ive only had it in my possession 5 days because of it returning to the shop for the same issues. The kia dealership says they have never seen this and don't know what is wrong. They have encouraged me to reach out to kia to see about a buy back, but kia is 3 weeks out on even reviewing my case.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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