10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 24
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 80,031 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Recall #176: According to the recall, there can be piston damage from the overheating and misfiring as result of a bad ECU. I recently had this recall repair completed but the dealer is unwilling to acknowledge the possible engine damage and check deeper. Currently, I am burning about 1 quart of oil every 200 miles. Obviously, this is a problem. My contention is that the cause may be from piston damage originating from the original recall and I am currently still at risk of severe damage and/or danger. I do not know the next steps in getting the dealer to investigate the cause of increased oil consumption.
- Woodstock, GA, USA
At 97000 miles the engine began a ticking noise. All fuel and oil levels were appropriate. Less than 2 weeks after that noise began before I could get into a service appointment, I was driving down the highway, the ticking got louder then made a poof noise and the car died. No internal or external lights, nothing. I coasted to the shoulder. I had it towed to a shop where they stated that a rod had come apart and the engine now had a hole in the side and would need to be replaced.
- Flat Rock, IL, USA
Stalled while on the interstate. Will not start back up since.
- Vinemont, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle started shaking and smoke was detected from the hood and the vehicle stalled. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to bill byrd Kia (2435 15th St, panama city, fl 32405 (850) 872-0444) where it was diagnosed that the battery and engine needed to be replaced. The contact replaced the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,937.
- Panama City, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that she check the oil level a month after an oil change was performed and became aware that the oil level was low. Kia atlanta South (7310 jonesboro rd, morrow, ga 30260(770) 968-3400) informed the contact at the time of the oil change that the piston rings may need to be replaced. The oil level warning light recently illuminated and the dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,800.
- Stockbridge, GA, USA
NHTSA campaign id 19V120000: The SC176 recall on my car was repaired May 30, 2019. Earlier this year my car began showing the signs of the further damage noted in the recall details. In April 2020 my car randomly stalled when in motion on a city street and the check engine light came on. I was able to coast off the road and eventually start the car again. The pandemic prevented me from having it serviced at my Kia dealership or elsewhere. Since April, this has occurred five times, both on city streets and the highway while in motion. The highway event was frightening as I was in heavy traffic travelling at 60 mph. My local one stop oil change re-opened and I was able to get an oil change May 5, 2020 at 110,431, then again on August 24, 2020 at 114,121 miles at one stop (receipt attached). A week later my engine oil pressure warning light came on despite the recent oil change. I added oil, but in two weeks the level is again low and I put in 2 quarts. I took it to the Kia service center September 16, 2020 at 115,179, and the oil was again low as shown on the attached receipt. Kia service was unable to determine the cause of the lost oil. Although my car had the repair performed for the recall, I'm afraid the piston has been damaged, causing the engine stalls. My oil is leaking out somewhere, so I fear it may be the broken connecting rod that has punctured the engine block allowing the engine oil to escape. The Kia quote for the brake, exhaust and tire work was expensive, so I had a friend's expert mechanic do the repairs for less. He warned me that the oil was leaking out and the engine may blow and I'll need a new engine, and strongly suggested I sell the car before that occurs. I cannot, in good conscience, sell it knowing the risk to a new owner. I hope this explanation will lead to Kia repairing my car properly.
- East Dennis, MA, USA
My car died while driving on highway going 75mph with 70K miles thats about when a vehicle should be breaking in not breaking down. My steering wheel is loose, gas play. The radio sometimes doesnt come on and my engine just sounds clogged
- Fort Hood, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the engine made a knocking sound. The contact checked the oil after pulling in to a gas station. The contact continued driving home however, the engine blew and oil started squirting from under the hood. The contact pulled off the roadway and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic discovered a hole at the bottom of the engine however, a diagnostic test was not performed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,000.
- Detriot, MI, USA
While driving back home my 2013 Kia Soul L4 1.6 suddenly lost its power in the middle of the road. I was able to get it off of the road and check it up into a parking lot. I opened the hood and found everything was normal so I decided to drive back again but as soon I start the engine a red lighy got appears on the on. I got home and called a mechanic. A mechanic did a computer scan and the report fault code retrival and diagnosis were: #1= system to lean @ higher load bank # 1. then #2 - fuel pressure control low. He referred me to the dealership since it can not be fixed by them (recall) when I contacted Kia they told me my vehicle didn't qualify for any guarantee since it has 130K miles on it not recall cover, and I have to pay to fix it as my own expense but as I read it should be covered, I'm not sure why my car doesn't qualify. I have not other transportation vehicle and I don't have the funds to pay theexpensive dealership to fix it so please I need to know if you can help and asvise. Thank you.
- Venice, FL, USA
My 2013 Kia Soul check engine light blinking. I was told needed a new catalytic converter which I took care of 2 months ago. Check engine light came on again when I was driving and car would not go I've 40mph. I took it to a repair shop and was told I needed a new engine. I have always gotten my oil changed every 7000 miles as requested. I did this at the Kia dealership for the first 5 years then just locally. My hours at work have been cut back due to covid and I do not have $5000 dollars. The shop said that the engines are hard to find due to this being a ongoing problem with the 1.6 liter 2013 Kia Soul. My Kia has 160,000 on it but has been well maintained. I contacted Kia and they are not taking any responsibility yet sold these Kia knowing the engine was faulty.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
My car was brought in for the recall and they told us it was fine but I noticed it offen got hot and it liked to burn oil or leak oil I had to put oil in each week and one day om my way home the motor blow a rod and this was only a couple months after they checked it and said it was fine the car only had 125000 miles on it and I had to pay 1700 dollars for a new motor and I'm still waiting on it to arrive I don't think I should have to cover the cost of the motor or the repairs because it falls in the recall list our car had all the problems that the recall was listing. I would like to here back from someone on my concerns.
- Sharon, WI, USA
Was driving my 2013 Kia Soul and it threw a rod and my engine locked up. I found out that there was a recall on the catalytic converter. Dealership said they tried to run a diagnostic and it said engine failure after they replaced the recalled catalytic converter.
- Sheridan, AR, USA
Regarding recall SC176 the engine is overheating and has engine damage which can lead to the vehicle starting on fire. Have brought it to 2 dealerships and they are just trying to brush it off saying nothing is wrong even though it is overheating and an independent mechanic states that there is piston and cylinder damage.
- North Richland Hills, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving, the vehicle stalled with the low power steering fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed off the roadway and restarted. There was a knocking sound coming from the engine after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) however, the vehicle experienced the failure stated in the NHTSA campaign. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,003.
- Reno, NV, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph the vehicle began to stall. The contact drifted into a nearby parking lot. The contact stated smoke was coming out the outside rear. The contact lifted the hood and notice oil had spilled all over the engine of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the piston had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer hagerstown Kia (10307 auto pl, hagerstown, md 21740 phone: (301) 739-7283) for the repairs who stated that their failure did not relate to NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine). The vehicle was not repaired as of yet. The contact was unsure if the manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage 167,000.
- Berkley, MD, USA
Was driving on the high way engine blinked five times and car locked up began to shut off. Got out the car thinking I need oil popped the hood saw something fall looked under the car there was a fire put the fire out with a towel called the police and the fire department came and said a rod blew? and I googled there is a recall for this exact happening
- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
While driving my certified 2013 Kia Soul on a busy highway it suddenly lost all power. I was able to get it to the side of the road and push it into a parking lot. I opened the hood and found oil had exploded everywhere so I had to have it towed to my home. A mechanic said the engine threw a rod that went through the block, so the whole engine would have to be replaced. I had the car serviced 2 months prior to the failure and they didn't advise of any issues. After contacting the dealership where I purchased the Kia Soul they confirmed Kia was already aware of this problem and should have told me there was a recall on my vehicle before the engine was damaged. When I contacted Kia they told me my vehicle didn't qualify for the recall, but since the failure of my vehicle is exactly what has happened on other vehicles I'm not sure why mine doesn't qualify. I'm currently without a vehicle because I don't have the funds to replace the engine. I need direction on what to do.
- Hutto, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that at start-up, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine of the vehicle with the oil warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The contact called gossett Kia South (2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115) and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed after 4 days that a cost would be assessed because the failure was caused by a rod and that replacing the rod bearing was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
- Horn Lake, MS, USA
The engine light keeps coming on and only ones after I accelerate. And then it goes away in a few days and comes back again. I get my oil change done regularly but I still kept noticing but it still kept happening. Happened my engine light key on did not go off in the car would start but makes a sound it will not accelerate. The mechanic said that the engine is messed up.
- Seymour, IN, USA
- Dolton, IL, USA