10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 46
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,365 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Kia Soul:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #423

Jun 172022

Soul

  • 201,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was making an abnormal sound and there was a burning odor inside the vehicle while driving. The local dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact they would not repair the vehicle under the recall as she failed to complete the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update. 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 made aware of the failure and left voicemail messages to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #422

Sep 162022

Soul

  • miles
Engine malfunction and burning excessive amounts of oil and no warnings of this malfunction on dash. Engine will need complete replacement

- Orange Park , FL, USA

problem #421

May 072021

Soul

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the engine emitted abnormal rattling sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving 30 MPH. The contact then inspected the oil dipstick and noticed that there was no oil, even though he had only driven 3,000 - 3,500 miles after the last oil change. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the original owner failed to complete an unknown software update. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Kerrville, TX, USA

problem #420

Oct 222022

Soul

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at 80 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to 40 MPH. The check engine warning light and the oil pressure warning light were illuminated. The contact refilled the oil reservoir with the assistance of a towing agent. However, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was towed to the contact 's residence. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired as she failed to complete an unknown software update on the vehicle; however, the contact stated that she had not receive a notice in that regards. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Helotes, TX, USA

problem #419

Aug 252022

Soul

  • miles
Has consumed more than 15 qts if oil in the last 2.5 months less than 3000 miles. Has had check engine light come on due to low oil. Ha e had to continue to refill oil. Highly concerned I'm going to get stranded due to engine failure. Kia dealership I took it to was no help.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #418

Oct 112022

Soul 4-cyl

  • miles
My car was jerking, and smoking broke down in OK, the mechanic that fixed my car told me to reach out to KIA and you because he said that Oil was leaking down into the coils and I was lucky that A. it didn't catch fire with me and my child in the car and B. that it didn't burn up my motor. Since this happened on 9/5/22 I have to put 2qts oil in my car ever week and half because the oil is "burning up". I have the receipt with details from the shop in Oklahoma. I have reached out to Kia several times, but nobody calls me back.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #417

Jul 012021

Soul

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the catalytic converter sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated she had the oil changed in April but when she took the vehicle to an independent mechanic they informed her the vehicle needed another oil change. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle needed an oil consumption test to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Ridley Park, PA, USA

problem #416

May 202022

Soul

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that oil was added every 2-3 days. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the dealer informed the contact that she had to pay a fee for the engine oil leaks inspection even though the recall remedy stated that the dealer would perform the inspection free for charge. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was making abnormal ticking sounds indicating that the engine oil level was extremely low. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Newport, TN, USA

problem #415

Jun 162022

Soul

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle jolted. The contact was able to continue driving however, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the catalytic converter and the upstream O2 sensors were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #414

Aug 192022

Soul

  • miles
I was driving on a busy 2 lane highway road. The Kia soul lost power and I had to veer to the side of the highway to not b hit from behind. The car behind me had to use their brakes and veer to the next lane which was on coming traffic not to hit me from behind.i had (including myself), 4 woman in the car. We were stranded until a tow truck could arrive. No notice (engine lite), didn't come on until after this safety issue. This happened in august 2022 and couldn't get the car into Kia until today. Sept. 2022. It took one month for this appt. Looking at ur site there has been a recall on 2014 Kia soul but my vin number wasn't listed.

- Wabash, IN, USA

problem #413

Sep 072022

Soul

  • miles
Engine seized. Wont rotate with breaker bar despite plugs and serpentine belt removed

- Keedysville, MD, USA

problem #412

Sep 072022

Soul

  • miles
Jeffrey Kia charged and claimed fix the engine recall and told me me that the engine was seizing but failed to let me know the dangers of an engine seizing which caused my accident after blinking engine wouldn-€™t allow me to go above 5mph.

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

problem #411

Aug 242022

Soul

  • miles
My catalytic converter failed and lead to no compression in cylinder 1 of the engine. I scanned the car on 3 different OBD scanners and I had P0420 and P0300 and P0301 codes. Also, the car has the symptoms of bad catalytic converter, which are 1) rattling sound from the exhaust 2)really hot air coming out of the exhaust 3)heat coming out from the center console inside the car, which is right above the catalytic converter 4) engine running rough and doesn't have power I checked on NHTSA website that the car has a recall on the catalytic converter as it says and I saw the flow chart of the procedure which says that if the car has P0420, check for P030X. If it has both codes, check engine compression and if it failed, replace catalytic converter and short block. So, I scheduled an appointment at Beyer KIA Falls Church, Virginia on Wednesday 8/24/2022 at 11AM. They took the car to check the recall, I mentioned that I have the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter and asked to do the recall and not to do anything else without getting back to me. I received a call after 2 hours from them saying that they updated the ECU logic and they don't see a P0420 code and they only see codes P0300 and P0301, they also said that they did a compression test for the engine and Cylinder 1 does not have compression in it. I told them that this means the catalytic converter went bad and it ruined cylinder 1 because it's in bank1 of the engine which is related to the catalytic converter. They said that there is nothing they can do and the car needs an engine. I have the flow chart of the procedures, what i'm trying to understand is how did they do a compression test without P0420 code? I think they found out the engine went bad because of the catalytic converter and they cleared the ECU to prevent replacing both the catalytic converter and the engine. I have proof of the P0420 code on my scanner which will be uploaded with the flow chart of the recall. Please I need help with this ASAP.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #410

Aug 222022

Soul

  • miles
The car shut down in the middle of a highway while driving. My partner and I had to wheel the car aside. It then turn on 20 minutes later. The vehicle shakes and shifts. Kia stated they cannot fix issue because the car is out of warranty. We took it when the warranty came out in 2020 and we had to pay out of pocket for $2000 and now the issue is back and our lives are in jeopardy.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #409

Aug 012022

Soul

  • miles
It's says the engine exhaust recall is not open on this vin but I recently had to replace my catalytic converter and the problem is still happening because of excessive heat to the converter.i would like to make sure this was fixed properly it's the same GDI engine that was in the recall. The car still runs but it's ruining stuff internally and want to make sure it doesn't cause fire and hurt my family.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #408

Jul 082022

Soul

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to her place of business where she discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact called the dealer and was informed that the recall repair would not be honored due to a lack of proper maintenance. The contact disputed the claim and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer agreed with the dealer and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #407

Jul 062022

Soul

  • miles
On July 6, 2022 while in route to Virginia Beach with 4 of my younger siblings for a camping trip, my meticulously maintained 2014 SOUL suddenly lost power and the check engine light began flashing. Unsure what to do I pulled to the side of I-64 and called my father. He instructed me to drive to the nearest exit and call a tow truck, which I did. I had the SOUL towed to the nearest KIA dealership which was Williamsburg Chrysler - Jeep - Dodge - Kia. My parents in the meantime drove from nearly 3 hours away in two vehicles to leave one for us, while they drove back in the other. We drove back again today, July 11th, to pick my SOUL up and get a clearer explanation of what was precisely wrong. It was explained to us that the Knock Sensor Detection System related to a former recall had activated Diagnostic Trouble Code P1326 (as described in the KIA TSB 2002B for 2014-2016 MY Soul (PS) w/Nu 2.0L GDI). To the point, Service Advisor Canon Hughes told me a motor replacement was needed, yet KIA would not cover it because it failed a specific diagnostic test. Note this SOUL has been in our family since its beginning. It was originally owned by my grandmother who bought it new at a KIA dealership in Jacksonville, Florida. It then passed to me upon her death in 2018. I have since regularly serviced the SOUL and have kept a log of regular oil and filter changes. It has proved reliable until its recent sudden malfunction. Disappointed with the lack of concern shown by KIA through its representative dealer, we proceeded to drive the car home after Canon Hughes said it could be driven, which I did with my dad following behind. On the way home we stopped by another KIA dealership closer to home for a second opinion Safford KIA of Fredericksburg. We spoke with Service Director Tony Di Cino. Our disappointment with KIA only increased when Tony refused to perform a second diagnostic test with me agreeing to pay for it... ** attachment for full account

- Boston, VA, USA

problem #406

Jun 242022

Soul

  • 77,523 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however while driving, the engine was knocking. The contact continued driving to her residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they would not complete the recall repair as the previous owner of the vehicle failed to complete an unknown service campaign. The contact notified the manufacturer who confirmed what the dealer had stated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,523.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #405

Jun 132022

Soul

  • miles
Took car into Dean McCary Mobile, Al on June 13, 2020 for the two recall, engine and air bag Also problems with car, wouldn-€™t pick up speed over 60 miles, with rattling noise, I was putting extra oil in car, because it kept using lots of oil, They told me they did an inspection on engine, and air bag, also they told me under engine was fire red inspection done by Tech: James Allen

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #404

May 242022

Soul

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled with abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. The driver stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The dealer declined to service NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) due to the software update not being completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Evansville, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »