Kia Soul Complaints

5,626 consumer complaints on file.

#11565508January 15, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving, the ABS system turns on but the light on the dash doesn't turn on. The brake pedal is solid with the ground glass feeling while braking. The ABS doesn't disengage when I take my foot off the brake. My vehicle doesn't stop or slow down. I went through an intersection and red light because I was unable to stop. This has happened three times while I have driven the vehicle. I have since learned to shift into neutral to slow the vehicle but each time it has happened, the brake pedal is solid-firm with no slowing. No errors or lights turn on to indicate the ABS is engaged. When I took the car to the Longmont CO dealership, they couldn't reproduce the problem and told me I had air in the brake line. An independent mechanic was able to reproduce this while driving my car. When the vehicle is plugged into the computer diagnostic tool, it doesn't show a problem because the computer disengages the ABS system. The mechanic replaced the ABS sensor and was unable to reproduce the issue again. I picked up my vehicle and drove it several times without incident then going downhill it happened again. I shifted into neutral and was able to stop my vehicle before hitting another car. First time this happened was 12/25/23 most recently it happened 1/14/24.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565613January 15, 2024
ENGINE
Kia issued recall for update to knock detection system on vehicles equipped with certain GDI engines of which my vehicle was included. Following the update I noticed my engine had begun to consume oil at an excessive rate between oil changes and took in for service at dealership. They performed an oil consumption test and returned the vehicle to me stating that it fell within the perameters of normal oil consumption but was burning oil. On 10/20/23 the vehicles knock sensor detection system went off and vehicle was dropped off at the service center. Service Advisor infomred me of the flow chart procedure for the warranty process and did an update to the knock detection system, added oil and gave me the car back. A month later the car again went into limp mode and gave a code for knock detection sensor trigger. Went into service center, bearing clearance test was performed, vehicle passed, knock sensor replaced. Car was returned to me. Exactly one month later after routine oil change, vehicle is still excessively burning oil and car goes into limp mode again. The new knock sensor has triggered and vehicle enters into limp mode on the highway. Took the vehicle to the service depatment this time with an audible knock/rattle in the engine block with noticeable movement in the motor mount to which they now state is not connected to the oil consumption issue even though the vehicle was again low on oil when system was engaged. The vehicle has been consuming oil at a high rate of speed for over a year initiating the safety mechanisms on multiple occassions with the source of the issue being unresolved by the manufactuerer despite multiple documented attempts to intiated covereage under the warranty. Knock sesnor detection system has triggered multiple times with safety protocals being bypassed and faulty engine being returned to the highways putting other vehicles at risk. Currently have a case open with both Kia USA and our local Kia Dealership .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565629January 15, 2024
ENGINE
Knock sensor and glow sensor is stuck on. Knock sensor has been replaced. Vehicle is still in limp mode. Has no exceleration. Engine light flashing. Have takin it to a Kia dealer and they can't find anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565283January 13, 2024
ENGINE
Car lost power and had to be pulled over. Mechanic saw recall for catalytic converter however Kia website claims my VIN is not under recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565055January 12, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. Additionally, the tachometer was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564595January 10, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564633January 10, 2024
ENGINE
My family decided to purchase a 2016 Kia Soul and it was a great car until it stalled on me on a highway, and funny enough I was helping my father on his vehicle on the highway. I had this car towed to Raceway Kia at Freehold NJ , who provided a KDKS software update to the engine. A short time later, the car had to be sent again and they performed an oil consumption test. By this time, my car was near the warranty expiration of 100k and they stated that since I performed this, that if there were problems with my vehicle, they would fix it. Fast forward and now I am experiencing a knocking in my car and it is losing acceleration/ power. I sent my Kia Soul to another dealer, Matt Blatt Kia at Toms River. They diagnosed the engine and stated that there were no engine problems or codes and that I need a new catalytic converter that costs over $3000. This is not fair because there is research that supports that because there is engine problems with this model, this could contribute to catalytic converter problems. I am aware there is an ongoing settlement that qualifies my 2016 Kia Soul, and know that others have had their engines replaced. Links: [XXX] [XXX] What should I do next? I do have the receipts with line by line itemized suggested repairs. 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
#11564646January 10, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750000 (Engine) however, the dealer stated the recall was closed. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 15 MPH, she heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The check oil warning light was illuminated. The daughter restarted the vehicle and drove to school. The contact drove the vehicle to the local mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with internal engine failure and oil was added; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost of the repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564699January 10, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a complaint about my 2015 Kia Soul car service issue. Since I purchased the car in December 2021, my check engine and oil indicator light has been on. I took my car to a car repair shop, and was told that the engine oil is being sucked into the exhaust system and to take my car to a Kia dealership. I scheduled a service appointment on 07/14/2021 and paid about $145.00 for a diagnostic system check. I was told that my catalytic converter is blocked and the cost to replace the catalytic converter and labor would be about $2,000. I would have to pay another $145.00 for another diagnostic system check about the engine oil issue. The overall car issue is that the engine oil is going into the exhaust system and causing blockage in the catalytic converter. The extended warranty that I purchased with my 2015 Kia Soul from Bob Sight Kia does not cover these issues and I don't understand why. I did some research and there was a recall {2019-02-21}, {recall number SC176} on 2015 Kia Souls of the same car issues. I contacted Kia customer service to inquire about the recall. The Kia customer service representative stated that recall number SC176 was done on my Kia Soul in June 2019, but it is not stated anywhere on my car's CARFAX report nor on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) website. On the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website it states, "Whether a manufacturer independently conducts a safety recall or NHSTA orders one, the manufacturer must file a public report describing the safety- related defect or noncompliance." As I am driving, my car will stop running while I am accelerating while driving down a street and/or highway. The car also stop running when I am stopped at a streetlight. I believe that the recall SC176 was not performed on my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564711January 10, 2024
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after arriving to her destination and upon attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. After starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the exhaust system, including the catalytic converter and PCV valve. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564714January 10, 2024
SEATS, STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DOOR
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked overnight and the following morning after approaching the vehicle, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side door and seat were burned. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564480January 9, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact drove the vehicle out of the street and into a parking space. Additionally, the contact stated that on two occasions the cellphone charger cord melted in the charger port while the cellphone was charging. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the transmission failed, and the transmission needed to be replaced; however, a diagnostic test had not been completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564373January 9, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564400January 9, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This complaint is in reference to existing recall 23v652 for various KIAs including my 2011 Soul. This defective fuse could cause a fire, and owners advised to park outside and not drive vehicle. Advised in November letter, I have called KIA Customer Care and local dealer today (Jan 9 2024), and still no repair solution. I find this delay in remedy unacceptable as I am without transportation. Would appreciate your using your influence to move this to resolution. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564141January 8, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564152January 8, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564163January 8, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
About several months ago the car was skipping. I was told it was a coil. I had it replaced. It then drove fine. Then in Christmas Day it started again and the engine light came on once again. I took it to a mechanic and he thought it was the plug for the coil. They changed it and it did it again. He said that with Kia and Hyundai cars there is always problems like this. He said he fixed a Kia with the same problem as mine about a week ago. As a matter of fact last week when I went to get the oil changed at another place before I took to them (the last place) there was another man in there who also described his car was doing the same. I was surprised when he said he had a Kia soul. That’s why I took it to this last mechanic who could do the work. He said it would cost me anywhere from three to five thousand dollars because the motor would need to be replaced. So apparently this is a problem with Kia soul motors. My car app said something about the trans. I can get the form of where the coil was fixed. I just got the call and have not picked it up yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564307January 8, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, PARKING BRAKE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Please note this was in our driveway and we have a video of the incident. Driver parked the car on slight hill and engaged the parking break and exited the vehicle. The car was still "On". Driver opened the door and reached in and pushed the ON button to shut down power. The brake disengaged by itself, car rolled, knocked down and almost rolled over driver. Rolled into street in oncoming traffic. Damage to door, slight injury to driver who was nearly run over.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11564295January 8, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
For years I have been experiencing the vehicle stalling, shutting off while driving, smelling oil burning and oil is disappearing which has me going to get an oil change every 1000 miles. Low oil light has never came on even when oil reservoir has been bone dry. My safety is jeopardized every time I drive this vehicle. This issue has been addressed to service center and they state according to Kia the excessive oil leak is “normal” and it’s not with any other vehicle. Also the service center does not know why oil is leaking or where oil is leaking which is a major concern. I no longer have free oil changes because I have used them all up due to multiple services for oil changes. Mind you I bought the car new in 2021.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564054January 7, 2024
ENGINE
Vehicle was purchased from a private seller in August 2023. We took the car to get an oil change in late August, although previous owner stated it was 1500 miles away from needing one. We learned there was no oil in vehicle while being serviced. Oil was replaced. Car was driven for 3 months, then on December 2nd, without any previous warning, the check engine light came on. Car began to lose power and could not drive more than 35 miles per hour. It was taken to the shop, and found there to be no oil in vehicle. Again, it was not time to get another oil change. Car was not leaking oil. Upon this discovery, learned of the engine recall; and actually have the recall notice & knock sensor update invoice from previous owner. The knock sensor was updated March 2021. Car was taken to Kia dealership. They advised another knock sensor update and have not taken steps to replace the engine as the recall letter states they should do. Vehicle has been at dealership since December 5th, 2023. I have called numerous times, sent texts, as well as called the Kia Consumer Assistance Center, created a case; only to be passed around, with no return calls, or proper resolution. I feel the engine needs to be replaced at this moment. Dealership is not acknowledging the issue, and actually tried to charge for the knock sensor initially. I do not feel comfortable with a vehicle knowing it has an engine recall, dealership is not addressing the engine replacement that needs to happen, knowing the engine has already been failing, internally burning oil. When I call the dealership, they take a message, say someone will call back, and No one returns my call.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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