10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 54
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,533 miles

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problem #349

Jul 012021

Soul

  • miles
Catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced.

- Grand Cane , LA, USA

problem #348

Oct 042021

Soul 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact stated that the battery and the oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that since she did not have an extended warranty, they would not service NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) that was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Rayne, LA, USA

problem #347

Jun 012021

Soul

  • miles
I purchased a new 2015 Kia Soul in the summer of 2015. Since then I have had to replace the engine TWICE and the catalytic converter at my expense. Now the engine has failed again! I asked the mechanic at the dealership why this keeps happening with a brand new vehicle. He shrugged his shoulders and responded that Kia had problems with that particular engine. Never in all this time did the dealership EVER mention this and now that the third engine needs to be replaced, they are refusing to cover it under the warranty or recall because it is at 152,000 miles and the warranty extension was up to 150,000 miles. Never mind that they should have replaced the first two engines because it was under the 150k... or that the third engine itself doesn't have 150k miles on it. They also never made me aware of the recall on the catalytic converter when it failed and I paid to replace it. The first time the engine seized was approx August of 2019, the second time was March 2020, and the third was June 2021. I've contacted Kia Customer Service - they tell me to contact the dealership. I've had it inspected by an independent third party mechanic and he is convinced that this should be covered by the recall/extended warranty

- Haven, KS, USA

problem #346

Sep 222021

Soul 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to coast the roadside as the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the failure as complete engine failure. The mechanic advised of an open recall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the recall was confirmed however, the contact was advised that the repairs would not be covered under the recall. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE). The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The manufacturer confirmed that the recall repair was not covered. The contact stated that the recall repair was denied by the manufacturer as the vehicle was not brought to a dealer for repair in a timely manner. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Vehicle has been diagnosed by Pep Boys.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #345

Sep 172021

Soul

  • miles
Something is causing the catalytic converter to clog and overheat, reducing greatly, the power of the vehicle, particularly when traveling uphill. I fear it will become hot enough to start a fire and/or damage the pistons/engine.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #344

Aug 172021

Soul

  • 134,200 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss power without warning and failed to restart. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (Engine) and 17V608000 (Steering) after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the starter and battery. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The repairs were declined due to a previous update not being performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact stated he only had possession of the vehicle for a year and was unaware of the needed update. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was 134,200.

- Lancaster, TX, USA

problem #343

Sep 222021

Soul

  • miles
Bought the car from a used car dealership with just under 100k miles, were not made aware of the recall on the vehicle and within 7k miles car engine seized and was found to be 4 quarts short of oil with no leaks. No prior knocking or engine lights appeared, and car stalled on the highway. Luckily, no one was injured and all we did was lose $10K.

- Byron, IL, USA

problem #342

Sep 272021

Soul 4-cyl

  • 151,112 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the engine started knocking and the vehicle independently shifted into limp mode. The contact also stated that the check engine and tire pressure warning lights started flashing on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they initially informed her that her vehicle needed an oil change; however, metal shavings were found in the oil reservoir. The contact then called the dealer where she had NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) repair performed. The service advisor linked the failure to the recall. The service manager could not help with the repair and referred her to the manufacturer. The manufacturer has notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a callback. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the mechanic. The failure mileage was 151,112.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #341

Aug 282021

Soul

  • miles
Had the catalytic converter replaced in August 20, 2020 at Nalley Kia in Lithonia, GA. And one year later while driving on the highway about 60 mph., I heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. Then after taking it to Sons Kia in McDonough, GA and now they are telling me that I need another one, after getting it replaced one year ago.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #340

Sep 182021

Soul

  • miles
Car had knock sensor update about 11/20-??. Car started to burn oil. Did oil consumption test but cause it didn-??t use more then 1quart per 1,000 miles it-??s fine-??.. The car felt like engine was under a load. Straining rpms jumped up. No acceleration. Flashing engine light to steady on. Car started to shake and buck. Pulled over had it towed. My guess is cat got clogged cause engine burns oil and now has lead to engine failure. Failed at 93909 miles

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #339

May 092021

Soul

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH, she became aware that the vehicle was overheating with the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of road to let the vehicle cool down. The contact then restarted the vehicle and heard a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the vehicle with engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #338

Dec 302020

Soul

  • miles
Vehicle is rapidly consuming oil, regularly burning through all 5 quarts of oil within 2,000 miles of an oil change.

- Carpinteria , CA, USA

problem #337

Jan 012016

Soul

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor detected. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that the vehicle was working as designed and that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #336

Sep 062021

Soul

  • miles
Complete engine failure at around 97,000 miles. Car is available for inspection. While traveling 35mph, the vehicle lost power and had to be pulled to the side of the road. Check engine light came on. The car had the catalytic converter changed recently by Kia of Dayton. The car had burned oil at an alarming rate. The car, after pulling to the side of the road, was then driven a couple miles back to my home at around 15mph as that's all it would go. Manufacturer, police, and insurance has not inspected. The problem has not been inspected by dealer or independent service center. The car had no check engine lights previously.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #335

Aug 232021

Soul

  • miles
Unknown. Catalytic converter code with check engine light.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #334

Jul 202021

Soul

  • miles
A recall was done for the Catalytic converter recall work did not fix the problem the converter was replaced and 1 1/2 years later the converter melted and broke off inside which caused damage when it clogged the flow of air when I went to enter the freeway I lost all acceleration and had to be towed it took out the muffler the converter was replaced again and the muffler but the check engine light came on again after less than right hours from leaving Kia when I returned it back to Kia to have the check light read it was the timing chain intake outtake system which was most likely caused from the Catalytic converter melting and breaking apart sending the sut in places that it shouldn't be in the engine

- Acampo, CA, USA

problem #333

Aug 082021

Soul

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled then the contact saw on the rearview mirror that there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and a bystander helped open the hood of the vehicle. The passenger side under the hood had caught fire and the contact attempted to put out the fire with soda when antifreeze from the radiator was spraying and splashed onto the contact. The contact was able to move away before the vehicle exploded but was hit by glass shards from the windshield. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. No medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #332

Aug 132021

Soul

  • miles
2015 Kia Soul. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement related to repairs made related to safety recall. The consumer stated there was a leak caused by a defective valve cover gasket.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #331

Jan 012020

Soul

  • miles
My engine oil is running completely out (has happened a few times now) long before it is due for another oil change. Several times I have taken it in to a mechanic, and was told that my car is just burning up the oil very quickly; no leaks have been detected, and I have been told I need to notify the manufacturer. I first noticed the issue when braking, and my oil light would flicker on and off. I originally thought it was some electrical issue, but it turns out my oil was just completely empty. Pretty dangerous, considering it can excessively heat up the engine and eventually lead to a fire (which I have read about happening on numerous occasions with other Kia Souls).

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #330

Apr 012021

Soul

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated she had to add additional oil to the vehicle two weeks before needing the maintenance on the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she did not locate any oil leaks. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, and it was diagnosed with needing an oil consumption test to be performed. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Forest Park, GA, USA

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