Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11497363December 14, 2022
ENGINE
The dealership installed the knock sensor in my car in November 2022 due to recall. Yesterday 12/12/22 when I left work, my car knocked so loudly the whole car was shaking. The car slowed and the check engine light came on. The car slowed while I was in process of accelerating to get up to speed on a busy urban street. There were several cars and I was afraid I was going to get hit due to the sudden deceleration. My car was towed to a Kia dealership. I was told it would be one to two week before they could even do a diagnostic on it and they could not give me a rental. I’m paying a car payment for a car that has broken down multiple times. The dealership said they were having a lot of cars being brought in because kids were stealing them after watching a tik tok where they’re shown how easy it is to steal a Kia and taking the cars for joy rides and wrecking them. When I took the car to the dealership in November, they didn’t fix anything, only put the knock sensor on. Now, just a few weeks later, its knocking and and the sensor is going off. I told them it sounded odd, knocking sort of when I found out about the recall. I bought this car because I needed a more dependable car. My other car was getting older and I am getting older and have health issues. I do not feel safe in this car with all the problems I’ve had.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497202December 13, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497231December 13, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was running hot with a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and then stated that the VIN was not included even though the VIN tool confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). A case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497234December 13, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497288December 13, 2022
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine is the system that is malfunctioned and yes it is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle accelerates at a slower pace than actual acceleration pressure put on pedal and then it lurches/jerks forward at a fast pace and then slows down and repeats that process over and over. Yes the problem has been confirmed. It has been inspected by the dealership. Yes the warning lamps that often illuminate are the check engine light and the oil light. They first appeared to my knowledge on 01/2020. I have been told numerous times by the Kia dealership where I get the vehicle serviced as well as Kia America Inc. Corporate Headquarters, that the engine has a malfunction and needs to be replaced. I attempted to have this problem fixed and I have missed work and spent thousands of dollars for this vehicle to work correctly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497296December 13, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the catalytic converter had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was also consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496949December 11, 2022
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES
The size of the tire is 235/45 R18 94V I was driving my car in my neighborhood and all of a sudden my tire went flat. I took it to be repaired and it's blown out on the side and can't be repaired. I have on a little over 14,000 miles on my car and have had regular maintenance. I don't think my tire should have blown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496950December 11, 2022
AIR BAGS
I was informed by U.S. Mail with a letter from Kia America this vehicle has an important NHTSA Recall number 22V096. I have contacted three Kia dealerships since received the letter dated April 4, 2022, about 3 times each. Each time, a representative says they will contact me "when they receive parts for the recall" but this recall indicates there are no parts required, instead saying "dealers will update the ACU software to enable deployment of the frontal airbags..." I am concerned these three Kia dealerships are not acting in good faith to fix a critical safety recall on my vehicle. They are denying me service. This seems illegal. How do I get my car software fixed so the airbags will deploy properly in all accident conditions? These are the three dealerships I have left my contact information with, requesting recall service repair work to be done: Koons Kia of Woodbridge, 14208 Richmond Hwy, Woodbridge, VA 22191 Ourisman Kia of Alexandria, 8670 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309 DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills, 4700 Branch Ave, Temple Hills, MD 20748
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496592December 8, 2022
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 unavailable. The contact stated that engine had developed a fuel leak and was leaking engine oil. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle did not qualify for an engine replacement. The vehicle had not been 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 issue. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496599December 8, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that a clicking noise was present when turning the steering wheel in either direction. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to seize, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering gear was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496572December 8, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in a parking lot, the steering wheel locked, and the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated a symbol of a steering wheel in a circle with a line through the steering wheel was illuminated. The contact stated she drove the vehicle to her residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496439December 7, 2022
ENGINE
1.Excessive Oil consumption - Yes available for inspection. 2. I'm afraid of where the oil could be going in my engine and what that might cause. 3.Went to Kia and showed proof of oil consumption, employee seemed familiar with the engine problem but I was told there is no recall on this and I should trade the car in. "just not here." he said. 4. Only after 1,500 miles my oil lamp flashed on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496510December 7, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
Our car was sold to us not knowing about a recall. It was taken to a local Kia. The car dealership says they didn’t know. It’s already had a replaced catalytic converter and didn’t fix the problem. Our engine light, ABS light and a skidding light come on and off. No one will listen to us. We don’t know what to do next.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496193December 6, 2022
ENGINE
NO CODES KICKED BUT WHEN I SWERVED TO MISS SOMETHING IN ROAD OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT RIGHT BACK OFF GOT HOME CHECKED OIL IT WAS 2 QT L0W I HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED I ADDED OIL AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. THEN ON IMY WAY HOME ONE NIGHT THE ENGINE BLEW!!! ALL THIS STARTED AT BETWEEN 60 AND 70 THOUSAND MILES ENGINE BLOWN AT 112,000 MILES. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AND HAD TO GET A NEW CATALITIC CONVERTER. WHEN THIS ENGINE REACH 70,OOO MILES IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN I HAVE HAD TO ADD 2 QTS OF OIL OFTEN TO KEEP IT GOING. AFTER CHECKING THIS SAME ENGINE IN THE 2011-2016 WAS RECALLED. KIA WAS ALLOWED TO KEEP PUTTING SAME DEFECTIVE ENGINE IN THE 2017 AND UP CARS WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. WHY IS THE 2017 ENGINE NOT RECALLED? 2nd ENGINE HAS NOW FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAR IS PARKED PLEASE HELP BY MAKING KIA PUT THESE CARS WITH FAULTY ENGINES ON RECALL LIST. {sorry about the all caps I did not know that this meant I was yelling not meant to be yelling Thanks for your help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496214December 6, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The rear windshield in my 2014 Kia Soul shattered upon getting into it and just closing the driver’s side front door. The car had been parked for about 11 hours and was not running at the time - I hadn’t even started it yet. There was no sign or indication of anything or anyone hitting the window. I am now finding a number of posts online where this is happening. One person posted that their Kia Soul rear window shattered twice in 4 months! I live in Rhode Island and it is December so temperature shifts can be pretty extreme at times and my Kia is usually parked on the side of the road in full Sun. I’m just glad no one was hurt and this didn’t happen to me while driving on the highway. I am the second owner of the vehicle and I bought it with low mileage. I also pretty rarely open the hatch back and always try not to slam any of the doors although it does happen occasionally especially when joined by other passengers. This does appear to be a fairly widespread issue and I hope that Kia is forced to fully address it as it does pose a potentially dangerous safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496219December 6, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact pulled off the roadway and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated she had not noticed any warning lights or audible alarms. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer denied the engine replacement request. 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 failure mileage was 144,481. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496236December 6, 2022
ENGINE
Catalytic converter failing on 2016 Kia soul. Was not part of the vin numbers for for original recalls. Has original catalytic converter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496329December 6, 2022
ENGINE
Yellow check engine light came on. Next day was not on. Next day on again. Brought to local repair shop for diagnostic. They reported engine was completely empty of oil and a knocking sound was a chain. Said engine needed to be replaced. This is at 74k miles. No oil light was ever on. Safety inspection was completed three months prior when the car was purchased used from a dealership. Then took it to a Kia dealership after putting some oil in the engine. While driving there it stalled at every red light. Kia service inspected. Reported engine needs to be replaced and not covered under Powertrain warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496000December 5, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
the catalytic converter is damaged, soon the engin could fail, and there is a recall on the catalytic converter for this car type and model and year. it has all the symptoms that the converter is damaged, tried to liquid to fix it it did not work It is available for inspection no risk yet, inspected and problem was confirmed engine light is on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496027December 5, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle shutoff with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was overheated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to the determine the cause of the failure. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that the oxygen sensor, water pump, alternator belt, and battery were all replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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