Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11681183August 17, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle started losing power and then stalled just as we pulled onto our road to our home, no light indicators were on and it started back up, but the traffic behind us causing slowing and potential risk to us and others. When restarted it would not accelerate appropriately and at that time we were able to put it in neutral and push it the remaining way, again causing a VERY dangerous situation. Upon inspection it was noticed that the oil was barely readable. We added 4 quarts (the vehicle has routine oil changes and is not due for another month or 1,000 miles) and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Upon restarting, the engine started making a loud pinging sound and oil was noticed coming out around the butterfly valve. At that time the cabin air filter and engine air filter was changed, butterfly valve cleaned and another quart of oil with valvoline stop leak added. Engine started and ran decent. Used car next day after rechecking oil, after about 15 minutes of driving it stalled once again, in traffic and pinging was tremendous, black smoke from the exhaust. The vehicle is the only vehicle we have, ONLY transport to work and have now lost out on 4vdays. We need this addressed. This is ridiculous that our VIN isn't included in the recalls that are experiencing the exact issues in the exact year makes and models. Help please!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681213August 17, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Check engine light flashing and began to lose exceleration. Pulled off the highway and vehicle died. Unable to start it. Told that the engine is bad by a mechanic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680837August 15, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also became aware of excessive oil consumption. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680883August 15, 2025
ENGINE
So the actual oil piston ring problem started with the 2020 Kia soul, I had a recall and I took it to the Kia dealership, over 3 hours away and they performed their noise test and checked it over, I complained about burning quite a bit of oil and they said they would have to do a oil consumption test, so I agreed and they changed my oil and guess who had to pay for that, yes me, so I drive back home 3 hours and I decided to check my oil in the morning, they purposely over filled the oil, was half an inch over the fill level, but needless to say nothing was done about anything just like the 2021-2023 models, now I'm seeing a bunch of transmissions dieing out with the same model and yes my transmission died out a few weeks ago and nothing is being done about it, we're does it end with these car companies, extremely disappointed in the care and service I received from Kia, hopefully the transmission issue can get taken care of soon and hope that future models don't have to go through the same thing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680898August 15, 2025
ENGINE
Was driving home from work and the car started smoking and making nose. Full power loss but was able to safely pull over to side of the ride. Had vehicle towed to mechanic and a piston had blown a hole through the engine. Mechanic estimated the cost of repair $7000 or more to replace the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680993August 15, 2025
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
4 29 23 at 101091 miles the catalytic converter was replaced. The car sucks up oil before even the 3000 .mark..kia performed. Then on7/8/25 wg baker replaced catalytic converter again. Also coding of abs brakes now and why would catalytic converter need replacing? Because car is eating off oil. Yes my car stopped on the interstate and I had to pull over. I've already done two tune ups.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680977August 15, 2025
ENGINE
My vehicle was originally diagnosed (after recall) with a defective engine and I was to be notified when the replacement engine arrived. On a subsequent visit to the dealer to repair an additional check engine light episode I was informed that the replacement engine was no longer needed and that Kia was installing software to monitor the condition of the piston rings. On [XXX] (third incident) while operating my vehicle in heavy traffic the check engine light went on and the vehicle immediately started to lose power and developed an engine noise which continued as i immediately drove to the Kia dealership and when I arrived there was a burning smell when I got out of the vehicle and I was told it would be two weeks before they would diagnose the incident. The vehicle continues to sit at International Kia of Orland Hills, Il 60462. 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
#11680881August 15, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine while driving at various speeds and while the engine was idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under the recall. The dealer informed the contact that the failure appeared to be related to the oil pressure throughout the engine. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the recall test could not be performed because the vehicle had failed to start; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was operable at the time it was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced out the out-of-pocket. The contact related the engine replacement to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 77,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680756August 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and repaired under the recall; however, the failure occurred. The contact stated that soon after the recall repair, the failure occurred while driving at an undisclosed speed and accelerating. The contact stated that the engine sputtered and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,073.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680691August 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact stated that oil was being added to the vehicle more often than normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The engine oil was topped off however, two days later, oil needed to be added again. The contact stated that one quart of oil needed to be added after several days. Additionally, the low oil level warning light was inoperable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680410August 13, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated her son exited the vehicle and noticed flames were emitting from underneath the vehicle. A passerby pulled over and helped the contact's son move the vehicle. The vehicle extinguished itself. No injuries were reported. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that her son called her, and she and the contact's brother went to the site of the accident. The contact's brother checked underneath the vehicle and picked off the pieces that were on the ground. The contact's brother noticed that a rod had detached and gone through the motor, which created a hole in the motor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the bearing rod detached and damaged the engine. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and tried to order a new engine. However, KIA declined and advised the dealer not to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. Two months later, the contact sold the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The insurance company was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680459August 13, 2025
ENGINE
Piston oil ring failure resulting in needing a complete new engine. Known recall issues on other years same model/engine(2.0L). Car would lose oil pressure and stall while driving at any speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680491August 13, 2025
ENGINE
Unknown. Even while the car was still under warranty And under 130,000 miles, it's needed the catalytic converter replaced twice already. It burns/leaks oil to the point where it gets bone dry but will still run just with lost power. Sometimes it has a loud raddle when you first start the vehicle, only for a brief couple of seconds but it could be the lifters potentially. CRANKSHAFT & cams throw codes,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680526August 13, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When the car was originally going out, the check engine light came on and the engine was making a funny sound, then after we filled up on gas like 10-15 miles later, the engine shut off and stopped accelerating but all of the electronics were still coming on, the battery and oil pressure light came on as well, we pulled it over and when trying to start, it was cranking but not coming on, but the electronics and everything was still working just fine, radio worked and my phone was charging, eventually when we tried cranking again, the engine started rattling and grinding . Towed it to Kia. KIA said they did every test possible on the car and are about 90% sure that the car needs a new ecu, but that kia doesn't manufacture that part anymore and that if they made it, it could take 2 weeks to 4 months, they're saying that it's not apart of the warranty so it would be expensive. They said that the best bet would be to trade in the car. Then they asked for all receipts for oil changes. Then they said it's the camshaft. "Wanted to reach out to let you know we need to replace the Cam shaft, the camshaft phaser and valve cover gasket before we can do the test for the recall this will cost about $1530". He said this after already saying they tested it. They are refusing to repair the recall. This is the Kia dealership in Gettysburg PA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680309August 13, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had this car go to the garage back in February under the 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul engine recall. The engine was fine but the check engine light is has been on since MARCH. I personally believe this was software related as I had MULTIPLE technicians verify the sensor and wiring is still in top shape. My OBD2 Reader shows the engine is pulling a large amount of retarded timing and it only happens under acceleration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680163August 12, 2025
ENGINE, STEERING, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a transmission failure, and the transmission was replaced by the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer also replaced the rack and pinion due to an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed. The contact returned to the dealer after driving for 1,000 miles on three occasions. The dealer determined that the vehicle was not experiencing excessive oil consumption. The dealer replaced the motor mounts. The contact related the abnormal oil consumption to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine), which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,815.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679863August 11, 2025
ENGINE
My VIN number was included as part of the engine recall up to 150,000 miles. My car sat at the dealership and the engine replacement was denied because the leaking piston were not cover as part of the engine recall. I even called Kia directly and they would not cover the engine replacement. The excessive oil consumption starter at 93K, the engine failed at 120,000 mile and 7 years old. I bought the vehicle brand new and I changed my oil faithfully. I think they denied the engine replacement because they started getting all these other engine recalls. The car was very reliable and no other major problems until this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679883August 11, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after an independent mechanic started the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was deemed unrepairable due to insufficient engine oil records. The contact stated that the failure was related to an undisclosed recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679937August 11, 2025
ENGINE
I have owned this car now, for 3 years and uh, in those 3 years, I have had to add a quart of oil to it every week. There is a problem with oil consumption. It does not burn it and it does not leak it. And uh, apparently, kia says there is no problem. So in my opinion, the 1.6 l Kia engine is garbage. It has blow by if I take the oil cap off. The oil cap will sit there and rattle and blow off. Now it sou ds like it is getting ready to blow the motor, it has a rod knocking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679958August 11, 2025
ENGINE
Engine started running rough, took it to a shop and was told that oil has been going through the exhaust and has clogged up the catalytic converter. Advised the engine must be replaced. Contacted a second shop and was told the same thing. Have been advised this is the same failure as the current recall for 2021 to 2023 but ours is 2015 and isn’t covered. Looking for guidance. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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