Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11418327May 24, 2021
ENGINE
Without any warning, there began a clunking sound coming from under the hood of my vehicle while I operated it on the highway at highway speeds. All of a sudden, the car could not accelerate or maintain speed, and began losing speed quickly. I was lucky there was no one behind me, because the car slowed down so rapidly I almost didn’t make it to the brake down lane. My car was brought to my mechanic and it was diagnosed with a broken rod, even though there has been detailed and documented maintenance preformed in the vehicle. My mechanic said that there is no reason for the piston to have broken like that especially when there was no operator negligence.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418246May 23, 2021
ENGINE
While driving my car stalled on me. I pulled over to the side of the road and tried to restart the car it finally restarted i drove it to the nearest gas station. It did not over heat but it was smoking. The check engine light came on. I key it sit for awhile then restarted it and was able to drive it home. It was sluggish and would smoke but it was not over heating. I did the car about 2 miles down the road the car started smoking and then caught on fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418188May 22, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2015 Kia Soul is currently in the repair shop at Jim Marsh Kia,in Las Vegas Nv,awaiting an engine replacement.The vehicles engine light had come on for the 3rd time in apx 4 weeks .The first 2 times I brought the vehicle in the technician told me I probably did not tighten the gas cap and he turned off the engine light and sent me in my way.The only difference the 2nd time the engine light came on was the technician told me if this keeps happening (meaning not tightening my gas cap and causing the engine light to come on)I would need to schedule an appointment.This last time,the 3rd time,I got in the car to pick up my granddaughter and when I started the car it sounded like a bunch of nuts and bolts in a blender. I knew the problem was not anything to do with a gas cap and I had a friend follow behind me and drove very slowly to the dealership repair.I was told the car needed a new engine but the repair and a rent a car had to be authorized.I could not be without a car as I drive my granddaughter to school everyday and this week had band concerts,picnics and graduation events for 8 th grade.I was forced to rent a car in my own however there were no cars available and I spent a day having my friend drive me around trying to find one. The next day I was lucky enough to get a car when someone canceled a reservation.On May 21st,a week later the Kia dealership called and told me that I needed to call the corporate office and speak with them.I called corporate and they asked for my Vin because they wanted to see if I was part of a lawsuit.I had no idea what they were talking about. Then they told me they would fix my car and give me a rental but my car wouldn’t be finished for 3-6 weeks because the parts would be coming from many different places.I also asked the corporate office if they would reimburse me the $600- I had to pay for the rent a car .I was told to contact the dealership as they handled that.So,I contacted the dealership.More information but no space,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418056May 21, 2021
ENGINE
A couple hours after getting an oil change the engine started knocking. It got so bad we couldn’t continue to safely drive it, even to get it back to the service station. Had it towed to repair shop and they have said there is a bearing rod that is messed up in the engine. There was not an accident or fire only because we stopped driving before things could get worse. Although the 2017 Kia Soul does not have any recalls it uses some of the same parts of other models that have been recalled. I have also been told this is a common issue for this model. I don’t have an estimate yet as the repair shop is still working on that. I don’t remember exact mileage and can’t check because car is at shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417968May 20, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated her son was driving at 35 mph when smoke started coming out from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicles next to the vehicle and behind the vehicle honked their horns and started yelling at the driver that there was a fire underneath the vehicle. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The driver exited the vehicle through the driver’s side window due to the electrical components in the vehicle melting and not functioning as designed. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. No medical treatment was needed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where the contacts insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage approximately was 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417762May 19, 2021
ENGINE
Car was being driven on a neighborhood street at 25 mph a block and a half from home. The car just stopped. The electric system still worked but there was no engine activity whatsoever. There were no warning lamps or sounds prior to this event. The oil had been changed a week prior to this happening. Evidently from reading various reports online of the same type of events happening to other owners, it seems this is a known engine issue for multiple models of Kia cars. The car had to be towed to a garage where it was inspected and diagnostics were run. Dianostics determined: "found metal beneath valve cover and camshaft damaged due to apparent lack of oiling - no compression present." This car had approximately 150k miles on it and was a 2010 Kia Soul ! 4.2 0L 1975CC FI GAS N 2 model. The repair fix is a complete engine replacement at a cost of 5-6 THOUSAND dollars. Insane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417816May 19, 2021
ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417818May 19, 2021
ENGINE
I purchased the 2012 Kia Soul on 12-18-20 and I had vehicle less than a week and it was losing power so I parked it until I could get it looked at on approx 02-03-21 the engine was disassembled by mechanic and found catalytic converter stopped up and piston failure after that time I found out about recall we contacted Kia about issue and was told they would not look at it because it is not driveable to take to Kia and they would not honor recall because cop ecu was not updated well engine already failed so we couldn't drive it there and recall said they would inspect vehicle and repair up to changing engine if necessary but they wouldn't even look at this one because engine had already failed and my vin number is under recall. I don't think this is right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417631May 18, 2021
ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417400May 17, 2021
POWER TRAIN
Purchased car on 7/16/19 with 13 miles. On 1/26/20 the car had 6,764 miles when the car started to appear as though it was in neutral while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour. Even when giving it gas the RPM would increase and engine sounded revved up but transmission was not working. Then it would sporadically kick in enough that I put my 4 ways on, got off the interstate (81) and limped that car home because the car would not go more that 20 MPH once it came to a full stop, it couldn't even make it up the very small grade to get onto my driveway. Called KIA roadside and it was towed to the dealer, Fred Beans Mechanicsburg PA. Told it needed a new transmission, got car back a month later 2/25/20. On 4/19/21, car has 14,953 miles and the same exact thing happens, I'm on Interstate 83 and the car starts lunging, going in and out of neutral. Once at a full stop car would limp along till reaching a total MPH of 20. Car was towed to Fred Beans KIA, Mechanicsburg PA and yes the transmission again. Dealer said transmission was replaced , this time it took 2 weeks, got the car back on 5/1/21. I asked why does this keep happening and the dealership refused to provide any information, shrugged their shoulders. The attendant at the service counter just kept saying I just work here and don't know anything about the cars! Very scary situation, I or anyone driving with this problem could cause a terrible accident and even a fatal accident. The first time this happened could have been manufacture defect but the second time creates a question as to the potential harm this vehicle can cause to all drivers. No explanation and no trust in this car's dependability. I am not able to financially unload this car at this time. Worst car I have ever purchased and I have purchased many brand new cars but first and last time for KIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417427May 17, 2021
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS EXCESSIVELY CONSUMING ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER AND STALL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PLACE A REQUEST WITH THE LOCAL DEALER TO PERFORM A FREE OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER DECLINED TO HONOR THE REQUEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417467May 17, 2021
ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416685May 15, 2021
ENGINE
I HAVE A 2016 KIA SOUL, BASE MODEL 1.6L. ATTACHING RECALL NOTICE, AS I DO NOT KNOW THE NUMBER (THERE HAVE BEEN 2 THAT I KNOW OF) AFTER RECEIVING PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NOTICE DATED 4/6/2021, I NOTIFIED MY KIA DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (7301 NEW LAGRANGE RD, LOUISVILLE KY 40222) AND WAS TOLD THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT TO DO THE RECALL UPDATE WAS 2 WEEKS FROM WHEN I CALLED, I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE THE RECALL IS ABOUT ENGINE FIRES AND MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE FINE, THIS WAS A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE RATE AT WHICH MY ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL, THE DAY BEFORE MY SCHEDULE RECALL APPOINTMENT (5/11/21), MY ENGINE APPARENTLY BLEW WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY. PRIOR TO THE SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK, I HEARD CLICKING AND THEN WHAT SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING SHOOTING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. THE OIL THAT I HAD PUT IN (EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE) WAS LEAKING AS THEY TOWED MY KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DID NOT HEAR BACK ABOUT MY CAR UNTIL I REACHED OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME FRIDAY 5/14/21, WHERE THE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND KIA MOTORS WILL NOT COVER IT, STATING IT WAS BECAUSE "THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY ENGINE AND I HAD NOT HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED" I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS. KIA SERVICE CENTER WAS UNABLE TO GIVE ME THE DATE THAT THE RECALL STARTED.I DO KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL PRIOR TO THIS, 3/31/2020, IN WHICH THERE HAD BEEN SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT NEEDED REPLACED. THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL APPARENTLY, BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MOST RECENT RECALL IS NOW SHOWING THAT IT IS NO LONGER OPEN ACCORDING TO MY VIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. SO THE DEALERSHIP MUST HAVE CLEARED IT, BUT STILL CLAIMS IT WAS NOT COMPLETED SO THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE MY ENGINE, QUOTING ME $6.3K SHOULD BE COVERED 100%
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416534May 14, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
MY ENGINE SHAKES REALLY BAD WHILE SITTING IDLING AND I CAN HEAR A LOUD HUMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I CAN ALSO SMELL GAS FROM TIME TO TIME. MY OIL WAS JUST CHANGED LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AGO AND IT IS ALREADY DIRTY, GRITTY AND DARK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416552May 14, 2021
ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416386May 13, 2021
ENGINE
ENGINE SEIZED. JUST HAD OIL CHANGED AT SUMMIT PLACE KIA OF GRAND RAPIDS 2000 MILES AGO. ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. NO KNOCKING. CALL STALLED, DASH LIGHTS BLINKING AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416478May 13, 2021
ENGINE
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE ENGINE DIED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET HOME BUT THE MOTOR HAD A KNOCKING SOUND. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER, THEY SAID ENGINE WAS BAD AND THERE WERE RECALLS ON IT. THEY DID DID SOME RECALL WORK BUT SAID THE ENGINE WASN'T COVERED BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET THE RECALL WORK DONE SOONER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416269May 12, 2021
ENGINE
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THE DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, SAID THEY REPLACED IT. KIA OF COLUMBUS ONLY HAD THE CAR 20 MINUTES WHEN THEY SAID THEY WERE COMPLETELY DONE CHANGING THE PART OUT. NOW THERE'S A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR, THE CAR LEFT MY DAUGHTER STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MPH AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. SONS KIA IN MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT WHICH SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE ASSEMBLY. I DON'T BELIEVE THE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED IN THE FIRST PLACE CAUSING THE CURRENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416341May 12, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
CONTRACT 100K MILES/10 YEARS. CURRENT MILEAGE 92388. STILL WITHIN WARRANTY CONTRACT. WHILE DRIVING, 12/6/2020, MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING AFTER A BRIEF WARNING ON THE DASH. CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, I HEARD A NOISE, AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THERE WERE NO OIL LEAKS OR ANY FLUIDS UNDER THE CAR. I TOWED THE CAR HOME. I TOWED TO RAY BRANDT KIA IN HARVEY LA 12/7/20. A MONTH LATER, I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE FAILED. BY 1/4/21, I WAS ASKED FOR PERMISSION TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE FOR INSPECTION. 1/8/21 BRIAN MURRAY,SVC MGR. SAID VALVE COVER TO BE REMOVED FOR INSPECTION. FIDELITY WARRANTY/RAY BRANDT KIA APPROVED REPAIRS RE: RO101874. PER VICKY, THE INSPECTOR DIRECTED THE TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. ON 1/13/21, TEST RUNS DONE TO SEE IF IT FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT NO COMPRESSION. NO ACTION TAKEN ON RECALL 20V750. PER VICKY, RAY BRANDT RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENGINE. USED ENGINE FOUND FOR REPLACEMENT WITH APPROX. 42K MILES. PER VICKY AT RAY BRANDT SVC DEPT. I RECEIVED RECALL LETTER DATED 1/25/21 BY MAIL. CALLED VICKY ABOUT RECALL. SHE CONFIRMED IT ON HER COMPUTER. RAY BRANDT CALLED DAYS LATER TO SAY FIDELITY DENIED MY CLAIM. THEY STOPPED ALL REPAIRS. TOLD I HAD TO CALL FIDELITY FOR DOCUMENTATION. CALLED BUT NO RESPONSE. AFTER SENDING A CERTIFIED LETTER 3/9 TO LEGAL. NANCY BEAUSEJOUR CALLED. SHE SENT A REPLY DATED 4/7. FIRST TWO INSPECTIONS REVEAL OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS ARE GOOD AND NO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THIS WAS PRIOR TO TWO MORE INSPECTIONS WITH DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS. FINAL INSPECTION SHOW ENGINE WARPED. DUE TO IGNORING THE RECALL, NO ACTION ON SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS AND TEST RUNS WITHOUT REPAIRS, THE ENGINE WARPED. BEFORE THIS FAILURE, I HAD NO ENGINE OVERHEATING. SINCE 4/22/21, AFTER 5 CALLS TO KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CTR.,CALLED. MAY 12, 2021
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416058May 11, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 12 HOURS, THEN SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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