Kia Soul Complaints (2019)

142 consumer complaints on file.

#11774449October 29, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The Paint is delaminating on the hood, around the windows, the mirrors and the door handles. I only have 28,000 miles on this white car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773649October 26, 2026
ENGINE
The engine burns oil too quickly. I only have 130k miles on my car, only owner. I don’t even drive it every day at this point. I have ran out of oil and been stranded 3 times in the past few months. The engine completely burns all the oil and the oil light doesn’t even come on until there is none left! It’s like we have to check it every 500 miles. We have refilled the oil over 6 times while only adding about 4k miles on total mileage. It is absolutely ridiculous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772235October 19, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine seized while driving with no warning. Dealer has submitted findings to kia corporate techline for powertrain warranty claim which is requesting a $700 engine teardown at my expense
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764285September 15, 2026
ENGINE
Burns way to much oil then it should for a 2019. I have to put a quart of oil in every 1,000 miles due to the oil consumption the motor does.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759211August 24, 2026
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2019 Kia Soul has been professionally diagnosed with DTC B162000, “Internal Fault – Replace SRSCM,” involving the Supplemental Restraint System/Airbag Control Module. My repair shop documented this diagnosis on August 24, 2026. Kia Safety Recall SC226 / NHTSA Recall 22V-031 addresses an Airbag Control Unit defect in certain 2017-2019 Kia Souls and specifically addresses vehicles exhibiting DTC B1620. However, I have been informed that my VIN is not included in the recall and the recall repair is therefore unavailable for my vehicle. I am concerned that my vehicle may have the same safety defect despite being excluded from the recall population. The airbag system is safety-critical, and I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the affected population should include additional 2019 Kia Soul vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753284July 28, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning odor and smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact pulled over and checked the engine oil level, and the dipstick indicated that the engine oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that engine oil was added to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it failed the oil consumption test; however, the manufacturer declined to replace the engine and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750480July 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a 2019 Kia Soul in June 2022. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has been stolen three separate times. During at least one theft, the steering column was damaged to bypass the ignition, and responding officers indicated the theft method was consistent with the widely reported Kia theft method. I had possession of my keys during the incidents. The repeated thefts created a significant safety risk, financial loss, and left me without reliable transportation. I am concerned the vehicle’s theft-deterrent system did not provide reasonable protection against unauthorized operation. Police reports were filed for each theft, and the incidents have been reported to Kia. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this vehicle’s anti-theft system presents a safety-related defect or warrants further investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750368July 14, 2026
ENGINE
I was driving through a busy intersection when the vehicle stopped accelerating causing risk to myself and other drivers. I was able to get the vehicle through the intersection and pulled over. I turned the vehicle off and it would not restart. I had the vehicle towed to my local independent service center where a diagnostic was performed. It was found to be engine failure due to the connecting rod to the pistons. It resulted in a loud rod knock and white smoke from the engine. There were no warning lights or sounds or quality of driving prior to the failure until the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. Vehicle was regularly maintained. Kia is currently in a lawsuit due to engine failure but does not include my VIN even though it experienced the same exact cause of engine failure as many of their other vehicles. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representives.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748851July 7, 2026
ENGINE
My engine has suffered a mechanical failure that makes the vehicle stall or lose power while driving, creating a massive highway safety hazard. Kia is using a software update loophole to deny fixing a physical, dangerous manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747782July 1, 2026
ENGINE
My engine has suffered a mechanical failure that makes the vehicle stall or lose power while driving, creating a massive highway safety hazard. Kia is using a software update loophole to deny fixing a physical, dangerous manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743824June 12, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine and engine components caught fire while driving. This put my husbands life at risk and could have caused harm to other drivers if he was driving on a busier road. Car fire could have completely engulfed the car and caused harm or even death. Fire department was called to assist with extinguishing the fire and to ensure that further danger did not persist.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733744April 25, 2026
ENGINE
On [XXX], while my vehicle was at the dealership for a federally mandated engine replacement recall (Campaign PI2107Y/Z), the service department attempted to obstruct the completion of the safety repair. The dealership informed me that unless I paid a 264.40 fee for maintenance and fluids, they were required by the manufacturer to drain the old, contaminated coolant from my failed engine and reuse it in the brand-new replacement engine. This threat of intentional contamination poses a severe safety risk, as reusing old fluid from a failed engine can lead to premature engine failure or overheating, potentially creating another hazardous situation on the road. I contacted the manufacturer corporate office (Case [XXX]), and they confirmed that no such requirement to reuse old coolant exists and that the dealership had not even attempted to file a claim for fluids. The dealership misrepresented manufacturer policy to monetize a free safety recall and threatened to sabotage the integrity of the new engine to force a sale. This issue was confirmed to be a dealership-level fabrication by the manufacturer’s corporate customer service line. 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
#11732228April 19, 2026
ENGINE
Engine has 86k miles and has been well maintained. Recently it started to consume oil rapidly as per last oil change report. We took it to dealership after oil change mechanic suggested needing to have problems looked at per Kias recent service bulletins on high oil consumption issues. I requested the car be evaluated for the oil issue and the dealership service tech confirmed "engine damage DUE TO high oil consumption" but would not perform oil consumption test. The particular vin is not included in current recalls or bulletins but has the same engine as other model years that are in the recall/bulletins for engine oil consumption. Dealership suggests engine replacement but the car is out of warranty because it changed owners before 100k miles. I have opened a case with kia and, to date, they continue to deny the engine replacement due to car being out of warranty. This oil consumption issue is a MAJOR SAFETY RISK and ALL KIAS HAVING THIS ENGINE ISSUE should be offered replacement by Kia, assuming regular maintenance is proven. Other Kias with this same engine are being replaced at Kias expense but Kia is trying to save money by only approving certain year models, leaving thousands of Kia owners left at having to replace engines at the owners expense (over $9000 dollars) when the car itself is no longer worth barely half of that cost. The NHTSA needs to step in to protect the consumers and issue a bulletin for any Kia model having this type of oil consumption issue before more people die or suffer major breakdowns and wrecks from car fires or engine lock ups.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731602April 16, 2026
ENGINE
I have a code of P0420 show up on a vehicle diagnostic test. This is directly related to recall SA363 ECU LOGIC . The engine light kept coming on. I was driving on the highway and the car stalled and then stopped as I was coming off the exit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731246April 14, 2026
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began shaking violently and made a loud knocking sound. The contact experienced a loss of automotive power, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the catalytic converter needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. However, the dealer stated that the engine had to seize for the replacement to be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,009.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731005April 14, 2026
ENGINE
I have always taken my 2019 Kia Soul to the dealership in Quincy IL, where I had purchased it from as the first and only owner. I have recently drove it to work and it made an awful noise and started to run rough. Upon taking it to the dealership I learned that cylinder number 3 had blown and even melted the coil pack connector boot to the spark plug. It has used more oil than usual over the years in-between oil and filter changes. Since this problem has occurred, I have learned that the engine manufacturer has had similar issues with engine failure in multiple models. Including 2019 Kia Soul such as mine. I would like for it to be replaced under the same settlement for this engine type and it's flaws.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724459March 15, 2026
STEERING
2019 Kia Soul has an issue with the steering wheel coupling that needs to be replaced. This has been confirmed by a mechanic. There is a warranty extension on the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) rubber coupling - 10 years/100,000 miles - for the 2019 Kia Soul. For some reason, my 2019 Kia Soul is not showing up under the warranty campaign extension. I am seeking a goodwill repair by Kia as there is obviously a known issue with the steering coupling that has impacted my 2019 Kia Soul. The cost to repair is in the $650-$1,500 range.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718103February 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
This vehicle was seriously damaged in a crash. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was totaled. Another vehicle went through red light and crashed into my car.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714971February 2, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Unknown but told by multiple mechanics that the kia soul eats oil and the engine constantly runs dry which is pricey and unfair
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713366January 26, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I’ve had nothing but problems with this car since about a year after getting it in 2021. Constant noises with the engine engine check light coming on all the time I would bring it in and no one would be able to figure out what was going on. And then it started to get worse and I had my catalytic converter replaced and not even a couple months later I had to have had another catalytic converter put in there’s issues with oil consumption and between oil changes, I would have to top off my oil multiple times sometimes even five and then I started getting oil changes before I even needed to get them because I was nervous and then on January 22, 2026 driving on the highway my engine started to smoke and I pulled over and took it to the nearest dealership by way of tow truck and they told me that the fuel issues had destroyed my second cylinder in my engine, and it was not repairable and then told me that I needed to replace my engine, but the engine in my car is no longer being made. I was told that my car was running lean due to the fuel injector issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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