Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11451704February 12, 2022
ENGINE
I have notice that there is a burn smell or melting smell coming in my vent. Has happened several times it’s been a month so I reported to Kia dealership. They tested and said there is nothing wrong. It’s been two weeks since they did the test. The car is acting weird and not wanted to speed and it’s shaking. I’m aware of other problems to other Kia’s but my car is presenting same issues. No lights has pop indicating there is something wrong. I need help with my car or this will be a bigger law suit for the Kia manufacture. You don’t want to put peoples life in danger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451707February 12, 2022
ENGINE
It was the engine that failed and my car stopped on the highway and I could’ve been a car accident. Yes it been confirmed by the service department at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills md. It been inspected at the car dealership. The engine light came on a month or two before the engine went out and then it went off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451596February 11, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle to continue driving; however, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and contacted the local dealer; however, the local dealer informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under the recall because the service records for an oil change that she provided did not indicate that oil changes had been completed as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451303February 10, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
At busy intersection was stopped for red light. When light turned green put foot on gas and car would not move more then 5 miles per hour. No warning lights on dashboard. Was able to get to side of road. Has car towed to mechanic close by, they said both catalytic converter would have to be replaced $4,700. Strange to have this kind of damage fir car under75,000 miles. Looked up recalls and KIA had one fir that year of car. Recall number: SC176 Had car towed to closest KIA dealer in Gladstone Oregon. They said the engine showed damage and would $8,700 to fix. Said recall or the warranty would not cover cost. Warranty for up to #100,000 and recall states recall could cause engine damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451405February 10, 2022
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
The contact owns 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the front driver’s side tire pressure monitoring system would erroneously remain activated although the tire pressure was correct. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451462February 10, 2022
STEERING
Power Steering went out .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451180February 9, 2022
ENGINE
Threw a piston through my engine block on the way to work dropped all the oil and lost all power and caused smoking from the exhaust pipe and engine bay on the freeway. Took it to a vehicle repair shop and thats what they diagnosed it as. I then took it to the dealer ship to have the same diagnoses.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451232February 9, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH while driving uphill. Additionally, the vehicle was overheating. The check engine and oil level warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with the catalytic converter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The independent mechanic informed the contact of an unknown recall and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who performed a multi-point inspection and software update however, no parts were replaced. The contact stated that the failure returned and that the vehicle was overheating with the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,633.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451268February 9, 2022
ENGINE
The supposed remedy for SC209 on my vehicle only included a test as per the Kia certified techs on 10/27/2021. In June 2021, while the vehicle still had warranty remaining, my Kia soul stalled out at a traffic light near Towson, Maryland. The check engine light illuminated, as well as oil pressure. I brought the vehicle to Kia of Westchester (PA) to remedy the issue. The determination at the time was a cam shaft pin had broken, and that was the cause. They replaced the pin, and I continued to have the check engine light come on. I took the vehicle back on 6/17/2021 with the same issue of check engine light and stalling. They reported no issue, and no light after they had cleared the code. I noticed by early autumn a strange knocking sound at low RPM and the check engine light re illuminated. This was the time frame that the "test" for the SC209 recall was "performed" and the Soul apparently passed (no explanation was given for the parameters at the time). The techs suggested the check engine was now due to a faulty catalytic converter (10/27/2021 mileage 107564). I was also told that the sound I was hearing at low RPM was "engine pinging" and I needed to use higher octane gas (not manufacturers recommendation). 1/15/2022 My wife was operating the vehicle coming back from work in Philadelphia when the Soul sputtered and died, shutting off the engine and causing check engine and oil lamp to illuminate. At this point, the engine struggled to reach any highway speed, the engine could would rev loudly and clouds of bluish grey smoke billowed from the exhaust. I replaced the spark plugs (2nd time, less then 12k mileage) and all coil packs with OEM parts. I noticed burnt oil on the old spark plugs. I brought the vehicle to Jiffy Lube in Glasgow, DE to perform a full synthetic oil change (recommended, and what I normally do). The vehicle continued to have the same issues, and blow out large blue gray clouds of exhaust.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450967February 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact stated that prior to losing power, the vehicle had started making a loud grinding sound coming from the engine. The vehicle rolled to stop and the contact placed the transmission into park. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence and then later had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was referred to the manufacturer by the dealer. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 93,644.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451008February 8, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated until the vehicle was stopped and at that time the check engine warning was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off for approximately 10 minutes and upon restarting the vehicle no issues occurred until about 10 minutes into the drive when the abnormal noise started again. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated the vehicle failure was engine-related. The independent mechanic also confirmed the vehicle was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and advised the contact to take it to the KIA dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as the engine pistons. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a product improvement update needed to be completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer and the dealer informed him that the update could not be completed by the Kia dealer and no further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 142,111.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451009February 8, 2022
ENGINE
While on the freeway the engine light suddenly came on and then immediately after that the oil light. I started to pull over immediately and BOOM!! the engine blew up. This is a 2017 Kia Soul + with only 32,000 miles. I had the oil changed every 5,000 miles but not every six months as it took forever to get to the 5,000 mile mark. I have researched this happening to other Kia Souls and found out it's not uncommon however Kia would not stand behind the warranty. I had to purchase a new engine with no support from Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451010February 8, 2022
ENGINE
Increased use of oil with no visible signs of external oil leak. Oil light comes on and knocking sound heard and when oil level was checked it was 2-3 quarts low each time. This has happened at least three times since October 2021. Most recently December 24, 2021 2.5 quarts low, February 4, 2022 3 quarts low.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451059February 8, 2022
ENGINE
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451082February 8, 2022
ENGINE
The car began burning oil at around 60K miles. When I took it in for oil changes, it was consistently low on oil. When the car was taken in for a recall SC200, the engine was checked and was not registering any codes and declared healthy. However, the car continued to struggle to accelerate, make rumbling noises and burning oil. Six months later, the engine failed at 80K miles. Three of the four cylinders were scored. The car was taken back to the dealership and a scope of the engine cylinders showed the damage. There is no record that when the car was in the dealership for the KSDS recall that a scope was put in the engine to check the cylinders. The check engine lights never illuminated despite the engine damage. Kia will not replace the engine as the engine is not showing a code that relates to the KSDS defect (it would replace if it showed such a code). The 100,000 mile warranty is void as I bought it second hand.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450798February 7, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
While driving down the highway, or turning around a curve the engine stops. The car can be restarted after it is put un park. Not always possible on a busy road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450818February 7, 2022
ENGINE
Driving car at normal speed suddenly car would not accelerate. had severe loss of bower with no warning. engine stalled and would not start. towed to mechanic and was told engine needed to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450643February 6, 2022
STEERING
My 2012 Kia Soul+ is having the same steering wheel "clunking" issue as other years/models which have been issued a recall notice but my year/model/VIN is not included in the recall and I would like for it to be included so I can get the safety issue fixed. https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2012-kia-soul-steering-recalls-your-questions-answered - below are statements from other owners with same issue: "I have a 2012 Kia Soul and the steering coupler is messed up. Premature Wear of the Flex Steering Coupler, it states that previous years and later years have this problem. But the 2012 does not have a recall although it has the same coupler." "Why is the 2012 Kia Sould not recalled for steering coupler? All other years prior and after were." "I have a 2012 Kia soul and the steering wheel coupler is messed up all other Kia have recall but my year model does not but yet same issue same part "
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450694February 6, 2022
ENGINE
My concern is probably a concern with all Kia owners with Gamma and Nu engines. I first noticed this issue after a CEL came up on the dash and then my car went into a Safety "Limp" Mode condition. I returned home and tried to diagnose why the car went into Limp Mode (acceleration limited to <2000RPM). I turned off the vehicle and restarted and restarted it to see if that would clear the CEL. That did not clear the issue. I then checked the engine oil and found that the oil level was below dipstick level. That was very odd as it had only been 3,100 miles since the last dealer oil change for the vehicle. That was when I began to read issues with the Kia engines and the excessive oil burning issues of the engines in question. For my current issue, I refilled the oil level and brought my vehicle to my mechanic who read the CEL as P1326 Knock Sensor Detection System which was brough on by the lack of engine oil. I was told by my Extended Warranty company that the engine was therefore in need of replacement. It was then that I brought my vehicle to a Kia dealership because this is an issue that has been brought up with Kia with other owners. The dealership could not replicate the issue. This I believe is due to the fact that I have been monitoring the oil level constantly and not letting the level fall below the minimum indicator. This though is not a solution Kia must admit the fault in their engines and come up with a solution to mitigate this fiasco. Having the purchaser continually add oil is not the solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450351February 4, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to examine the vehicle due to the large volume of vehicles that were also in for service for the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but had not yet responded to or rendered a decision to the dealer regarding the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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