Kia Soul is apparently notorious for blown engines and currently has adjusted the warranty to replace approximately 400,000 engines. Mine may or may not be a "recall" (Kia doesn't call it that) depending on which website you research. Kia says no recalls, NHTSA says no recalls but this letter states they are ALL recalled.

My 2012 Kia Soul, with 162,000 miles on it, blew its engine yesterday, June 21, 2021. The crankshaft was replaced under TSB DC PO335 last year, for which I was charged over $400 by the Kia dealer. TSB DC PO335 does not list Kia under its bulletin. I think Kia lies a LOT! Thanks for letting me rant. Loved my KIA until yesterday!!

SC176SC176 – 2012-2016 MY KIA SOUL ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) LOGIC UPGRADE SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN

Q & A April 8, 2019

Q1. What type of campaign is Kia conducting?

A1. Kia Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in all 2012-2016 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with the 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine.

Q2.What vehicles are affected by the recall?

A2.All 2012-2016 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with the 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine, manufactured from July 8, 2011 through August 11, 2016.

Q3.How many customer vehicles are affected by this recall?

A3. Approximately 378,967 vehicles are included in this campaign.

Q4.What is the concern with the Engine Control Unit (ECU) Logic?

A4.Under certain conditions, the catalytic converter may become damaged due to overheating caused by an excessive increase of exhaust gas temperatures. If the catalytic converter is damaged, substrate particles can enter the engine combustion chamber and cause abnormal engine combustion. Continuous abnormal engine combustion can result in damage to one or more of the engine’s pistons which can cause piston connecting rod breakage, potentially puncturing the engine block allowing engine oil to escape and potentially contact a hot exhaust surface.

Q5. Are there any warnings associated with the condition described above?

A5.If this condition occurs, owners may hear knocking noise from the engine and/or the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate.

Q6.Can you describe the recall campaign and fix?

A6. Kia has advised its authorized dealers to upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection (COP) logic in the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Also, the catalytic converter will be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced.

Q7. How was the issue discovered?

A7. Through the regular monitoring of field information.

Q8. What should vehicle owners do when they receive the notification?

A8. In the interest of the safety of their passengers, as well as their own safety, customers should immediately contact their Kia dealer to arrange for the recall repair to be conducted.

Q9. Have there been any deaths or injuries as a result of this condition?

A9. There have been no deaths or injuries.

Q10. Has Kia had any litigation regarding this condition?

A10.No.

SC176 Q11. Will this cost vehicle owners any money?

A11. No. Kia will perform the recall repair at no cost to the customer.

Q12. What about customers who may have already paid to have this issue remedied?

A12. If the customer has incurred expense to have this issue remedied prior to the date of this notice, the customer may have the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for that expense. Customers may submit their receipts online to Kia via the Owners section of www.kia.com or mail their receipts with the attached Request for Reimbursement Form directly to Kia for review and consideration: Consumer Assistance CenterKia Motors America, Inc. P.O. Box 52410Irvine, CA 92619-24101-800-333-4542

Q13. How long will the repair take?

A13. The time required to upgrade the COP logic in the ECU is approximately one (1) hour. Note that if the catalytic converter and/or the engine need to be replaced, additional time to complete the repair will be necessary. Kiarecommends that customers contact the dealer for an estimate of how long they may need the vehicle and schedule a service appointment to minimize inconvenience. (Most Kia dealers have online appointment scheduling via their dealership web sites to maximize your convenience).

Q14. How will owners of the affected vehicles be notified?

A14. Kia will be notifying owners of the affected vehicles by first-class mail beginning on April 12, 2019.

Q15. Are there any restrictions on an owner’s eligibility?

A15. No.

Q16. If a customer has an immediate question, where can they get further information?

A16. The customer can contact their local Kia dealership or call Kia’s Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4KIA (4542), Monday through Friday, 5 AM to 6 PM Pacific Standard Time, or via the internet @ www.kia.com (Owner’s Section)

I get my Kia soul maintenance done regularly. Oil changes were always done, the car was running fine with no issues, it has about 90,000miles. One day I drove it and it started making a loud knocking noise out of the blue, then oil light came on and the engine light checked to find out there was no oil in the car. That light should have come on way sooner to let me know it was low or something. There should be no reason there was no oil, I have had it changed many times and my mechanic never mentioned an oil leak of any kind so maybe this just happened recently from my last oil change. I was too scared to drive it so I had it towed to Kia of Wesley Chapel.

I found out there are two recalls from Kia dealership even though the NHTSA website only shows the one sc200. I did get a letter in the mail for that recall only. Never knew anything about this other recall they were now advising me of an ecu update for knock sensor ksds software. However I called KIA CONSUMER who told me multiple times they were authorizing the replacement of the engine and to let Kia dealership know. I was sent back and forth between the two over a week. The manager I spoke with at Kia WC said he would love to fix my car but had to call Kia consumer back to send him an email authorizing the engine replacement and stating they would pay for it.

There seemed to be some sort of miscommunication between the departments. Plus why would they make me the middle man? Not my JOB. Not my fault. Now the dealership wants to tell me they wont fix the engine because an ECU update was not performed on the car first. I wasn't sure what they were talking about so I did more research online. I spoke to an agent from Kia consumer named Vicky who was very helpful. She advised me that there were two case numbers and looked to her like the miscommunication was because the car was supposed to be under the engine recall sc200 but they had it under another recall for the ecu update. She also advised me the engine was auth for replacement on the 21st and they should be ordering the parts and putting me into a rental. Still none of that ever happened.

SO long story short After two weeks of being left in the dark. I got a call from a regional manager from KIA CONSUMER stating after I told her my story that the information I was given was incorrect. The information where you already said the engine replacement was auth several times I have the claim and case number. SHe said yes I am so sorry but you will have to pay out of pocket. Her reasoning was the ecu update was never performed and that means the extended warranty was not active. I should have apparently had done that prior to this recall, otherwise I'm s*** out of luck. I told her the only letter I got in the mail was for the engine compartment fire sc200. When I went over it and sure enough it said the opposite of what she told me. Nowhere does it say I have to have the ecu update prior to the recall for the engine inspection test. It actually says IN ADDITION TO this recall KIA will auth an ECU knock sensor update software program to prevent rod bearing damage. Also the 120,000 mile extended warranty was now up to 150,000 miles once ecu update is done. It does not say anywhere this has to be done prior to this recall or even give a deadline as to when it had to be done by. I asked her what was the deadline that had to be done before it expires. She said she couldn't give me a date but that it was no longer valid.

SO now I have a car that won't work that I am making monthly payments on through my bank and I have no way to get to work other than uber or the bus or catch rides. Still never offered me a rental even after I told them my situation. They made a copy of the letter and also many website also have the same info that they will replace the engine if any damage occurs and then perform the ecu update in addition to this recall!!! Makes me think they either have no idea what they are talking about or they think they can get a fast one over on me because I am a female and they think they can take advantage of me not knowing how the whole recall situation works.

Believe me I am a fast learner and I will NOT accept No for an answer. Already I know there was an open lawsuit due to many different factors. I even told the manager I'm sorry but just the fact your company told me 4-5 times all different agents said the same thing that they WILL replace the engine. They should honor that because they said it. Even though the car is clearly not running because of the same reasons from the recall.

What else do I need to do? I just need my car fixed so I can get to work. If I cannot work then I cannot make payments on my car. They will repossess it and on top of that alone my credit will plummet. NOT GOOD!!! Please someone help me. Last call to Kia consumer I said I will have no other choice but to get my lawyer involved, now they escalated it again. Will be waiting to see what happens next.