Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11771357October 15, 2026
ENGINE
My kia's soul was part of a major safety recall for oil piston ring. The reason it's not showing on a recall list is because they claim to have fixed the issue. And it was removed. The issue is still persistent, and now the car has suffered catastrophic engine failure due to this recall issue. Kia corporate is refusing to rectify.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771070October 14, 2026
ENGINE
On XXX my 2020 Kia Soul while on the freeway, would not accelerate and silently stalled. The check engine, oil, and battery light all came on. Putting it into Park and then Drive again, the vehicle began shifting backwards. The vehicle could not be safely driven and was towed to Kearny Mesa Kia in [XXX]. The dealer diagnosed code P0017 (crankshaft position and camshaft position correlation). The technician found the exhaust camshaft out of sync because the pin on the CVVD gear had broken, which allowed the gear to spin on the camshaft. The recommended repair is replacement of the exhaust camshaft, CVVD gear and bolt, timing chain tensioner, and valve cover gasket, quoted at $3,285.34. A borescope inspection found no valve damage. The service advisor told me this is a common problem on these vehicles. An internal engine part failing like this at about 99,000 miles is a premature failure, not normal wear. A sudden loss of camshaft timing can cause stalling or a loss of power while driving, which is a safety risk. I am the third owner and bought the car used through Carvana at about 55,000 miles, so the powertrain warranty does not cover this repair. Kia America denied my request for goodwill assistance. I ask NHTSA to look into CVVD gear and camshaft timing failures on the 2020 Kia Soul 2.0L 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
#11771221October 14, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
An authorized Kia dealership (Car Town Kia in Lexington Ky) refused to complete federal safety recall SC334 after a technician snapped a bleeder screw, instead demanding a $3,022.83 payment for an unauthorized full brake overhaul. Citing rust buildup to deny the mandated safety repair violates federal regulations, prompting a request for an immediate NHTSA investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771265October 14, 2026
ENGINE
I am reporting excessive engine oil consumption in my 2018 Kia Soul, VIN [XXX], with over 150,000 miles. The engine consumes approximately 1-2 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. There are no visible external oil leaks, and the vehicle does not produce visible exhaust smoke. I am concerned that this excessive oil consumption may indicate an internal engine defect and could lead to engine damage or sudden engine failure if the oil level becomes too low . Having to add oil so frequently creates an ongoing risk that the engine could become dangerously low on oil between checks, potentially resulting in engine failure while driving and creating a safety hazard for the driver and other motorists. I contacted Kia America to report the problem and request assistance with diagnosis and engine repair or replacement. Kia reviewed my VIN and stated in writing that there are no applicable oil-consumption recalls, service campaigns, or warranty extensions for my vehicle. Kia also denied my request for goodwill assistance. I am concerned that this problem may affect other Kia Soul owners and believe it warrants further investigation. I am submitting this complaint so that NHTSA can document the excessive oil consumption and determine whether further investigation is warranted 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
#11770443October 11, 2026
ENGINE
The car was constantly burning through large amounts of oil. One night I was driving and the car started slowing down and lost power completely. This put my safety at Risk because I was on the freeway and came to a complete stop. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and they said it would be 4k to fix and did not fix the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770354October 10, 2026
ENGINE
While driving the engine started shaking and smoke blew out from the tailpipe and then the vehicle stalled. I brought it in and the same thing happened on the way home from the dealership after it was supposedly fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770367October 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint above the windshield is peeling off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770368October 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint above the windshield is peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770225October 9, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the contact heard a noise outside and discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire near the engine compartment. The contact extinguished the fire using water and salt. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the HECU fuse had failed and that the burning was coming from the ABS module. The contact was not informed of the necessary repairs or replacements. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 222,892.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769782October 8, 2026
ENGINE
2nd failed motor due to code P1327, was replaced last year for same issue, less than a year later and same issue again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769794October 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jake Sweeney Kia opened a repair order for Safety Recall SC336 on my 2022 Kia Soul at 8:00 AM on Wednesday. At 3:10 PM the exact same day, they finalized the ticket with a 'PASS' result and issued an invoice. The manufacturer’s official Technical Service Bulletin for Campaign SC336 explicitly mandates a 24-hour overnight cold engine soak before the PNSS acoustic test can be executed. The dealership completely bypassed this federal safety mandate, testing a warm engine in only 7 hours, and uploaded closed-out safety data to the manufacturer network to wipe the open recall from my VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769993October 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
My husband purchased our 2015 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI in 04/18. It was recalled under the NHTSA 19V120 & Kia SC176 in 04/19. The recommended fix? Update ECU Logic. Completed: 04/24/19. Check engine light came in 07/19. My appointment in 08/19, at #1 Cochran Kia showed a P0455 large leak code. Per invoice, manual leak test found no leak, but found gas cap not installed correctly after adding fuel, codes were cleared, & road test performed; "mileage in": 65582, "mileage out": 65583. Was that a road test? In 01/20, the Soul at the dealer for check engine light; P050A code was found & there was no resolution. They sent me home with the check engine light on. Auto Zone recommended catalytic cleaners. I used these because the illuminated check engine light created stress & still does. Auto Zone found another P0420 code for replace catalytic converter on 08/21. More cleaners. 01/22 Auto Zone found replace ignition coils & spark plugs. 04/22 extended warranty expire At dealer on 01/23, for a check engine light. A catalytic converter replace was recommended for $2,199.95. I could not afford that. More cat cleaner. Auto Zone found P0420 code on 06/23. Cat cleaner did not work. I found a cat for $379.80 & asked an auto tech to install. Codes cleared only for a little while. I kept using catalytic cleaner. Soul's mileage was greater than max of 150,000 during '23 settlement. On 09/28/26, the car slowed down when accelerating up hill & check engine light began blinking. Stressed, 3 friends & I were picked up by another friend. At home, P0300 led to spark plugs & ignition coils being replaced & a possible exhaust leak. An appointment is scheduled on 10/14/26 but the dealer plans to charge a diag. fee for $190. Kia released SC176Y an extension to SC176, directing dealerships to replace catalytic converters & parts of the engine if a car is exhibiting the P0420 & P0300 codes after the 2019 ECU logic update. Can my VIN have these replaced? The original cat converter is available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769676October 7, 2026
ENGINE
Engine oil light came on and went to take in to get an oil change though it had 1000 miles or so to go. Had oil change but light did not go out, and service said to get it diagnosed at mechanic. Made an appointment and car then driven by my daughter stalled when entering the freeway. The car started and I had her drive it home. I tried it the next day and had no problem other than lack of power. At the car appointment, stated that it looked like a National Safety Recall problem and to take it to Kia for the problem. At Kia, they said there were a number of recall's that the fixed on the vehicle, but the safety recall for the engine did not apply as they didn't "hear" anything. They agreed it was losing power and it stalled when coming to a stop, turning and or accelerating. They said for $250 they could run a diagnostic. Having already done that with a trusted mechanic, I seemed at a loss on what to do. I had another mechanic look at it with the same recommendation that it was a recall problem and engine should be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769689October 7, 2026
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where DTC: P0420 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall and that an engine inspection was required as part of a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, a case was filed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall in 2022. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769404October 6, 2026
ENGINE
Burning oil and piston failure in my 2021 Kia soul. But it’s not the 1 percent under recall. More than just the 1 percent
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768949October 5, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the engine was inspected and it was determined that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact was charged for the diagnostic test. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time, but no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to Pep Boys, who diagnosed that the engine was leaking oil onto the exhaust system and catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a third time, where it was determined that the catalytic converter was clogged and the diagnostic trouble codes were cleared. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair would not be performed until the rod bearings had failed. The vehicle later caught on fire near the catalytic converter and the contact extinguished the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769193October 5, 2026
ENGINE
While driving my 2013 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost significant engine power and the Check Engine Light began flashing. The sudden loss of power at highway speed created a safety concern because I could no longer maintain normal highway speed with surrounding traffic. I exited the highway and drove home at reduced speed while the Check Engine Light continued flashing. Christian Brothers Automotive inspected the vehicle. Their diagnostic scan identified a pending P1326 code. The technician rechecked the knock sensor that had previously been replaced in July 2026 and confirmed that the sensor was functioning properly. After the engine reached operating temperature, the technician heard an abnormal internal engine knocking noise. Further testing determined that the noise was originating inside the engine, and Christian Brothers concluded that the engine requires replacement. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized Kia dealership in Rosenberg, Texas and has been available for inspection. Kia declined engine replacement because the vehicle exceeds the mileage limit of its extended engine warranty. Kia also denied my request for goodwill assistance. Prior to this failure, the vehicle had experienced a knock-sensor-related issue that was repaired in July 2026. At the time of the highway incident, the significant symptoms were sudden loss of power and a continuously flashing Check Engine Light. I am concerned that the P1326 code, internal engine knock, flashing Check Engine Light and sudden loss of power may be associated with a connecting-rod-bearing/KSDS-related engine failure. I am reporting this because the sudden loss of engine power occurred while traveling at highway speed and could have resulted in a collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768835October 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The vehicle experienced complete and sudden engine failure while actively driving on a roadway. The engine began making loud, violent knocking noises, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle completely stopped and lost all motive power mid-drive. I believe this is directly caused by the defective piston oil rings covered under NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 21V-259 (Kia Campaign SC209). The vehicle had only just begun exhibiting these severe symptoms on the exact day it stopped working. The loud engine knocking, immediate check engine light, and rapid internal oil loss all occurred rapidly within hours of each other on the same day, leading directly to the total mechanical failure and seizure. The engine component is currently intact and remains completely available for physical inspection upon request. The engine in my Kia Soul is the 2.0L Nu MPI. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership service center. The dealership confirmed that the engine has completely failed and had loud knocking sounds, but they are attributing the issue to an external leak in an attempt to deny coverage under Safety Recall SC209. The manufacturer (via the dealership, Techline, and Kia Corporate) has inspected the vehicle, but they have refused to perform the required internal engine teardown to inspect the piston rings or to honor the federally mandated recall remedy and fix my engine for free despite the recall. I have been fighting this for over two weeks now. I also provided my regular oil change documentation to show there was zero owner neglect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768671October 3, 2026
ENGINE
Was driving engine jumped time and stalled out doing 45. Vehicle only has 63499 miles on it. Had it towed to dealership. The vehicle passed the original piston oil ring recall test in 2025 and 15,000 miles later is needing a new engine due to the ineffectiveness of Kia recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768690October 3, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle Details: 2020 Kia Soul, 2.0L Nu MPI Engine Complaint Description: My vehicle is experiencing severe, excessive engine oil consumption at 99,000 miles, which has directly resulted in a P0420 diagnostic trouble code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) due to motor oil poisoning the catalytic converter. This vehicle exhibits the exact failure mechanism, symptoms, and manufacturing defects detailed in Kia Safety Recalls SC209 and SC336 (improperly heat-treated or defective piston oil rings). However, when checking my 17-digit VIN on the Kia portal, I am informed that my vehicle is excluded from these recall campaigns. The heavy oil consumption creates a severe safety hazard. The engine rapidly drops below safe oil operating levels between scheduled maintenance intervals without illuminating an oil level warning light, putting the vehicle at high risk for sudden engine stall, total engine seizure, or an engine compartment fire while traveling at highway speeds. Because this is a known, documented manufacturing defect for this specific model year and engine type, Kia should expand Safety Recall SC209 to include my VIN and prevent a catastrophic highway failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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