9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,300
Average Mileage:
98,000 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (5 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Kia Soul:

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

problem #9

Jun 102019

Soul 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Kia Service said the motor was shot. I took it to a service garage. The timing chain is busted - a defective rod. I had the garage fix the problem. Kia did not pay any of the cost. They just lost a customer.

- Vern R., Troutman, NC, US

problem #8

Nov 302019

Soul + 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I took my car in a week earlier for an oil change. Three days later I hear knocking and have a lost of power. Then I was told I needed a new engine. I paid for an extended warranty and had to wait over a month for them to tell me if it's approved or not. Not sure why I needed a rebuilt engine when I only had 57k miles and I kept my car in excellent condition.

- Mark S., San Francisco, CA, US

problem #7

Nov 012020

Soul LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Prior to my Soul I owned a 2007 Sorento. My Sorento's engine locked up on me but made a noise just like my Soul is making. A knocking noise, a loss of acceleration when over 60mph going uphill. My oil changes are regular and being told to flush my engine every time I get an oil change. I just don't think it's a particular car made by Kia anymore. I now think that it is Kia vehicles all together.

From the electrical issues that short out your circuits to your headlights and tail lights, to the engine problems when they are reaching high mileage... No one knows what the issues are with these cars. Not even the appointed mechanics that fix these cars everyday. These engines need to be recalled immediately.

- alicepink86, Houston, US

problem #6

Nov 152019

Soul 2.0L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Complaint - 2014 KIA Soul Plus 2.0 Liter engine VIN: KNDJP3A58E7714095 SHORT BLOCK REPLACED DUE TO OIL USE The history follows- On 5/20/19 car taken to Kia of Clarksville IN for 110,000 mile service, oil change, recall repairs -found to have leaking oil pan (sealed this visit)-dirty air filter (replaced this visit) -transmission fluid exchanged-brake fluid exchanged-coolant fluid exchanged -added 2 new tires in front-Front end alignment Total cost of $1371.96 On 07/22/19 car taken to Kia of Clarksville, IN at 112,203 miles due to increased oil usage Questioned whether oil pan was sealed correctly or if correct amount of oil had been added at last visit Oil was added, no leaks found. Tech added dye to oil. Told to return after 1000 more miles for recheck . On 08/06/19 car taken to Kia of Clarksville at 113254 miles for dye check Consumption test done. Found air leakage threw rings/exhaust issue in block/rings. Needs Short block At this point I still owed $7000 on my car loan and was told to expect to pay approx. $7000 for the short block. I ventured over to the dealership side to see if they could help. I was told that my car would be junked due to needing a short block. I had nothing in trade toward a purchase. My ex-husband and I both owned KIA’s that we drove until approximately 200,000 miles. My son’s 1st new car was a KIA. My daughter and her husband drove a KIA. I was very disappointed at this point On 11/15/19 car was returned to Kia of Clarksville for short block. It felt like my only option. I had been told that without the short block that the car could stop at any time. Cost of repair $6412.01 + car rental My question is, why didn’t this engine get recalled? Why are so many people having problems such as mine? Engines that receive regular maintenance normally do not need to be replaced at 120,000 miles.

- Mary R., Jeffersonville, IN, US

problem #5

Jul 262020

Soul

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

click to see larger images

knocking knocking knocking knocking knocking knocking

My mom just purchased this car for me on my 21st birthday of May 7, 2020 ,since we couldn't travel due to the pandemic she thought it would be cool to get me out of the family car into my very own! I was so excited. MY boyfriend and I decided to take a small road trip to Kansas City Mo (we're from St Louis Mo) and we went to Worlds of Fun and had a blast. WE decided to drive to Omaha, Nebraska since it was so close and on the return to KCMO the car started making a knocking noise. I pull over my boyfriend pops the hood of the car and the car had a small fire going on, we grabbed our phones an in seconds the car was engulfed with flames and burned right in front of my face. I'm so thankful we didn't get injured but I'm also so angry I've had this car for less than 90 days and it complete trash now. MY insurance company was just in disbelief of it all as well as I am and my family. After reading some of the stories behind this make and model we are in shock.

- Iyanna L., Overland, US

problem #4

May 182019

Soul Zone 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

Well, had I not purchased the extended warranty, I would have been with out it.

- Kimberlee L., Algonquin, US

problem #3

May 012019

Soul Plus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

click to see larger images

knocking

Bought vehicle in 2017 used approx 67,000 miles, 4 months later is when engine failed. Connecting rod shot thru wall of engine (photo attached) and kia said no recall. Paid to have used engine installed. May 1st 2019 round 2, engine making loud rattling noise from engine, no hole in engine yet, but we have parked it. Oil changes have been done regularly and engine oil was full when noise occurred, no engine lights on and no leaks.

Kia Motors Issues a recall for engine failures on 1.6 liter engine. Same exact issues that recall states is the same exact issue i am having with my car, but the 2.0 is not covered.

So this is the kicker for me, Kia and Hyundai Motors has admitted to having engine defects on possibly close to 2,000,000 vehicles on certain engines but my 1 car that has already had an engine installed at my cost (Which I am still making payments on) now has a second engine defect on a used Kia engine that was installed.

I am still a strong consumer of Hyundai and Kia but common sense would be to include all engine sizes on engine defect recall due to having the same complaints. Anyone having similar issues and wants to contact me feel free to tnerb728@gmail.com

- Brent H., Oklahoma City, US

problem #2

May 232019

Soul

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

Car started ticking, opened up the oil cap and it was like slime.

- Css A., Amarillo, TX, US

problem #1

Nov 112018

Soul !

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I hear knocking from the engine. Mechanic say the oil was low. Did not have a warning light or anything else. Always changed oil on time with the dealer!!

- P. M., Ossining, US