Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11468018June 7, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving on the highway, my car blew a puff of smoke, and I was no longer able to accelerate higher than 15 mph. I had to stop and get my vehicle towed to the local Kia Dealership because my vehicle was inoperable. The dealership told me that DTC P0420 was triggered and that I would need a catalytic converter replacement, exhaust flex pipe replacement, and a new drive belt. There is a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000) for the exact issue I experienced and my vehicle falls in the category of MY2012-MY2016 Kia Soul with a 1.6 liter engine, but the dealership is stating that my vehicle is not part of the recall population and it will cost $3,000 to fix this known issue. This is unacceptable and the recall population needs to be expanded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467737June 6, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost braking functionality, and the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, a cause for the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467850June 6, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, a semi-truck entered her lane of traffic which forced her vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway. The contact stated that the truck did not hit her vehicle; however, the vehicle shut off with the check engine, ABS, and brake warning lights illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her residence and then to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467882June 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car has been shaking some while I’m sitting still at for example a red light. My car does not shift properly when I’m trying to increase speed. There is no check engine light on but it’s definitely something wrong with my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467896June 6, 2022
ENGINE
Engine seized and the piston rod put a hole in the engine block, spilling out all the oil. There was no warning light illuminated before the incident. There were no knocking before the incident. Kia is refusing to replace the engine. Stating I did not take it in to get the safety recall campaign. However, I never received a notice about this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467484June 4, 2022
ENGINE
I took my car to KIA to get its recall fixed and my engine started knocking before hand. They denied the recall stating that the recall is in place so they wouldn’t have to replace the engine, but the recall clearly states “DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF ANY DAMAGE, THE ENGINE MAY ALSO BE REPLACED” and isn’t specific about whether it’s replaced after the recall has been handled, which is what KIA is stating to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467503June 4, 2022
ENGINE
My 2013 Kia Soul Exclaim has turned-off three (3) times in the past 30 days. The first time was on 5/17/22, the car was idling in traffic at a stoplight when it turned-off completely. I had my mom in the front passenger seat, and we were quick to turn on the emergency lights. Thankfully, after 60-90 seconds, it restarted, and we were able to continue with the flow of traffic without issue until I tried accelerating, and it sounded like it was stuck between two gears at 40mph. When we were about to idle in traffic, the car felt like it was going to stall/turn off again. We parked in an apartment complex, and checked for leaks but didn’t see any. I scheduled an appointment with Firestone Complete Autocare for the next day, and after a few hours I was able to start the car and head home without issues. On 5/18/22, we took the car to Firestone where they checked the battery & other components but readings came back normal. The manager couldnt explain what happened and didn’t feel comfortable changing the battery since readings were normal. I didn’t have any further issues until 6/1/22 when the car was idling, and turned-off again. It still took 60-90 seconds to restart, but no further issues until this morning, 6/4/22. Today, the car was idling while at the Starbucks drive-thru line when it turned off. This time it took 90-120 seconds to start again, and when I tried to accelerate it began to sputter and felt like it was going to turn off again. I decided to go home, but it would not accelerate up the hill I live on, and ultimately died on the street outside my neighborhood. The car was towed to Firestone, and it was suggested to check Kia for a recall. NHTSA shows that 2012-2016 Kia Souls have been recalled for faulty catalytic converters. I called Kia Service, and the mechanic said that the VIN on my vehicle is not recalled, but from what I described, it could be an issue with the catalytic converter. Firestone was notified, and will check the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467308June 3, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was overheating. Additionally, the contact stated he smelled a burning odor and gasoline odor while driving and upon starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer was notified of the failure. The dealer upgraded the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. However, the catalytic converter was not inspected nor replaced per the recall remedy notes that stated that the catalytic converter would also be replaced if the catalytic converter was damaged. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly on highland roads. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that they could not assist as the recall repair had already been completed. The contact stated that he later diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed using an OBD reader. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist because the recall repair had been completed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467361June 3, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and coast to the side of the road in neutral before the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence; the following day the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed of three open recalls before the vehicle could be diagnosed. The recalls were completed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,354.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467091June 2, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Transmission going into neutral while driving.no help at this time from the dealership
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467130June 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her spouse driver was driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal functionality was inoperative. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter was faulty; however, the vehicle was then towed to the dealer who determined that the failure was caused by a faulty wheel speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466966June 1, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered a light grayish smoke coming from the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence and the next day called the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to City KIA of Greater Orlando (9550 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837). The contact was informed that since his vehicle was not serviced under a software update, they could service the vehicle under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466736May 31, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH said she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine as she depressed the accelerator. The contact heard a loud bang coming from the engine, smoke began to emit from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off to the left side of the highway and jumped over the highway divider and twisted her left ankle. The police and fire department was not called. The contact did not seek medical attention. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11466766May 31, 2022
STEERING
Steering coupler has failed within the steering system making the steering not as it normally has functioned.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466876May 31, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The check engine light is displayed showing that the catalytic converter is bad. Vehicle is losing engine oil. Have filled complaint with KIA. No assistance offered other than stating there are no recalls on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466344May 27, 2022
ENGINE
For about a year now our Kia Soul has been shutting off at random times. There is no warning or sound that indicates a problem with the engine. While driving the engine may just shut off at any time. I started recording the engine to capture this and the last time it happened I was traveling down a busy road with my family going 65MPH and it just shut off. I had to shift the car into neutral and restart the engine. Since then we have stopped driving it accept for short distances close to home because it's not safe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466258May 26, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the headlights on auto, the headlights would flicker and turn on and off independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465942May 24, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Catalytic Convertor clogged and issues with excess oil consumption This is an issue I have seen and heard of from many other Kia Soul owners as well. I have the repair bill if needed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465759May 23, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 113,613.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465838May 23, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I received a notice from Kia that my car was part of a recall affecting the engine. I brought my car into the nearest Kia dealership to me and they confirmed that my car had a recall in which they were to run a program and check the catalytic converter and engine. I confirmed before and after this visit that they checked everything and was told that yes they checked the catalytic converter and everything was fine and they updated the engine program that was called for by the recall. I have brought my car in atleast 3 times and never having any issue previously was insured that my car would be covered under the recall but that we had to essentially wait for the engine to fail before that could be done. My car has lost power suddenly on the highway twice since this program has been run. Every visit i was told that my car was safe to drive. The most recent visit - which happened less than 30 days from the previous one where I was told my vehicle was safe to drive - has resulted in me being told that my catalytic converter has suddenly become clogged and that “my vehicle is not effected by this recall”. The visit before no such issue was mentioned in fact I was only informed my engine had “some codes and a few misfires” - again this was less than 30 days before my catalytic converter suddenly clogged. It is important to mention that this all happened with 6 months from the time the program was ran until today. I have the receipts of all of my visits to Kia. This most recent visit on May 19, 2022 in which I was told about the catalytic converter was the result of the second loss of power on the highway dropping from 70mph to 40mph suddenly and then continuing to decrease as I tried to navigate to the side of the road while traffic continued at normal speed around me; putting me, my child and others on the road at great risk of accident and injury. This is unacceptable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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