8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,620
Average Mileage:
90,050 miles
Total Complaints:
25 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (23 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Kia dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Mar 182019

Soul

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,729 miles

Out of the blue, the engine started making a rattling noise one day. The next day, the noise was an annoying knocking/ticking sound. The next day I took it to have the oil changed thinking it was the problem. The mechanic at the shop called and said it sounded like my engine. I went forward with the oil change thinking it will resolve once new oil is installed. It did not. I had it towed to the local dealership. It was there a day or so and I was informed it was indeed the engine and it would cost more than the car is even worth to repair. I towed the car back home where it is continuing to sit.

- Trinia P., High Point, US

problem #4

Oct 262018

Soul SX 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,559 miles

My leased Kia Soul SX 2015 (It’s a 4-year lease car due back in 9 months) which was towed to KIA after it stalled and would not restart whike my 16 year old daughter was driving down a very busy road!. I am being told it is engine failure? The service rep said, "Well you have 125,000 km on it in three years" and I said, "What does that matter? I’ve had many vehicles in my life with way more mileage than that and no engine failure," service rep says, "Well there are large gaps between your servicing for oil changes," I said, "Really? So you have somehow seen all my records from Mr Lube where regular maintenance took place?" Service rep says, "Well that’s a problem right there. They probably used the wrong filters," so I say, "Are you ** kidding me? Estimate for repair I was told not under warranty, will be approx $5700 for new engine! I found a used one with 65km on it in Quebec being shipped to dealer then there is labour on top of that which will be approx$1300 and the rental car i needed now for two weeks $500 and the tow to dealership $191. All of which I am on the hook for. Yes I could fight it but Im a single mom who is now tapped out after all these expenses and cannot afford to pay for a rental any longer while it goes through complaint process. I was also told they typically deny any complaints when maintenance was done by other shops??

I dont even know why the engine failure occured, no engine or oil lights came on just shaking then loss of power, to diagnose I would have to wait till dealer can fit it in to their schedule to take it apart and was told because they are busy with winter tire season I could be waiting awhile WTF!! So I am DONE with KIA after this lease is up I will tell my story everywhere and if I start seeing numerous others with similar complaint ..Class Action all the way!

- keers, Campbellville, ON, Canada

problem #3

Jul 012018

Soul Plus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

It was scary for the motor to go out at that mileage but the dealer said they have records of the oil change and swapped out for free and gave me a loaner car. I would say overall they did a good job. Complaints are that they could have communicated better and it took about 2 months to get the engine in. I am the second owner and warranty covers engine on second owner until 60k so no worries. I still like Kias a lot but I am a little weary now. We will see.

- Wesley L., Denton, TX, US

problem #2

Jul 242018

Soul 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

2nd time same car. After the first 2015 Kia Soul 2.0L engine was replaced with a used engine per extended warranty on July 24, 2018, about 9k miles later, exact same thing happened. Engine noise and loss of power. This time I was on the way home from work and happened to be within 2 miles of Dealer. The only change after first engine replacement was the electronics worked fine and this time no warning lights or anything before failure or after. Car is currently waiting another used engine which will most likely be bad as well. Dealer told me they currently have 9 cars waiting engines.

- Kurt B., Swansea, US

problem #1

Aug 102016

Soul 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,600 miles

Engine failed at 23,600 Mi. The Kia Dealer said that it was not covered under their warranty because I did not change the oil at a Kia dealer. Kia dealer went out of their way to call me a liar and basically told me to get lost. I had to pay for a engine out of pocket. The Kia engines are so cheap I was able to find a low millage engine for $1200. When I took it to the shop to replace the engine the mechanic said that they had just replaced an engine on a 2014 Kia Optima and they were familiar with the engine swap procedures on these new Kias. Last time I ever make the mistake of buying one of these cars. You have been warned.

- txjoe440, Plano, TX, US