10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 53
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,396 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #76

Jul 292019

Soul

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul plus. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle experienced loss of power jerking as well as smoke coming from the engine with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact imminently veered to the shoulder of the road turn the vehicle off and open the hood no flames. The contact mentioned that the temperature gauge did not increase. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with the piston connecting rod failed and distorted the starter and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that needed to take the vehicle to a Kia dealer for a diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #75

Jul 262019

Soul

  • 80,078 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. After the vehicle had been parked for an hour, the contact noticed a large oil leak underneath the vehicle and it was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an unknown Kia dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,078.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #74

Jul 182019

Soul

  • 135,236 miles
Kia not honoring all the recall for 2015 Soul- Kia service department stated my catalytic converter needed work last year. When I took my car to the same service department that has worked on my car for years for the recall (uploading my receipt), my car would only go up about 1 to 2 mph, and now they are stating nothing's wrong with the catalytic converter. My vehicle towed to a second Kia service department, and they never checked the catalytic converter saying it's the fuel injection, not the catalytic converter. Also, they gave an estimated 600 to 900 dollars to fix it. I had the catalytic converter pulled by a licensed mechanic shop, and that stated it is the catalytic converter and the part alone is 1100 dollars. I'm uploading a picture of the catalytic converter pulled off my car it has gray looking dust and is clogged. I need my car; do I pay for this shop and fight for my money back? I still owe 15,000 dollars on this car.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #73

Jul 132019

Soul

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact took the vehicle to jenkins Kia of ocala (2305 sw college road, ocala, fl 33471) to be diagnosed because it was consuming an excessive amount of oil and made a knocking sound. The dealer was unable to find any failures. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and had been there ever since July 13, 2019 to have the engine replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #72

Jul 042019

Soul

  • 69,295 miles
On the 4th of July I was traveling on the highway and my car started to slow down a little bit didn't think anything of it pushed down on the gas to pick speed back up, got off of my exit, I came to a full stop went to go and my oil light was flashing the engine had a horrible ticking noise. I pulled into the parking lot checked my oil, I had none. I then got a ride to the store we filled the oil back up turned on the car and the engine noise was even louder I then quickly turned it off. I left the car in the parking lot over night got it towed to Kia of dartmouth where they told me I had no damage or leaks but I needed a new engine $6,000 to re-place since I am second owner the warranty runs out at 60,000 miles and I am at 69,295 they won't pay for it. Tired to get me into a new car but they couldn't since I don't have 6,000 for a new engine and I owe $7,000 on the car. I had the car towed to a safe place where I now still have to pay the loan and insurance for it to sit. I have been in contact with Kia consumer they told me they would give me an answer by Tuesday 7/16 no one called. I called today 7/17 the women I spoke with said she tried to find the rep I spoke with before but couldn't she would send him an email to call me which he did and all he said was the towing company wouldn't give him any information I told him I used at&T roadside if that helps he said yes hung up on me and hasn't called back. I have kept up with all my oil changes and routine maintenance at quirk Kia in braintree, have all my receipts to prove it. I even had an oil change and sticker scheduled for 7/11.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

problem #71

Mar 272019

Soul

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate more than 10 mph. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle and check the oil. The contact was able to drive home at 30 mph. The vehicle was taken to federico Kia (located at 1911 E edwardsville rd, wood river, il 62095, (618) 216-8080) and the failure was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the catalytic converter was repaired by an independent mechanic. After the repairs, the contact experienced excessive oil usage in the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #70

Jul 152019

Soul

  • 75,000 miles
Went to get an oil change and was told to see a mechanic because car should not have lost as much oil as it had in a short amount of time. About a week later, engine began to sputter, and engine light came on at a stop light, car stopped and would not start again. Had it towed to a mechanic who said that the engine was blown, nothing else wrong with car.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #69

Jun 282019

Soul

  • 88,000 miles
My 2015 Kia Soul 2.0 was about 5,000 miles past the oil change date but was regularly topped off with oil. On my way home from work, my vehicles engine started thumping. No warning lights came on so I wasn't too worried. Then, as I pull up to a stop light, the oil pressure light came on for a brief second then went away. Panicked, I tried to make it to a nearby gas station but my oil light came back on and the car had begun to seize. I pull over and call a tow to take my car to my house. The day prior to this, I had checked my oil and it was at normal level. After the engine had siezed, there was no oil on the engine whatsoever. Now I'm stuck making payments on a once nice car that I now cannot drive untill I can come up with 6,000 dollars to replace it.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

problem #68

Feb 012019

Soul

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving, the vehicle stalled and would not accelerate past 20 mph. Carmax (3147 tom watson dr, tupelo, ms 38804, (662) 844-1017) informed the contact that she could not trade the vehicle in with the failures and they could not assist. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that oil was coming out of the exhaust pipe and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The contact currently had the vehicle parked at her house. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- West Point, MS, USA

problem #67

Jul 012019

Soul

  • 80,000 miles
My family and I were driving down the road when the car began making noises and died. My husband was able to guide the car to a stop but we were unable to get out of the lane and onto a shoulder. After three hours, the car was towed to the dealership. The following day, we were told that the rod bearings locked and we needed a new engine. We were told that there was still oil in the car and no metal shavings in the oil pan so it was not the result of poor maintenance. The car had been in for an oil change and maintenance check on April 3, 2019 at the same dealership. The service department said they have seen this before in Kia and that it seems to be a common issue. The car has 80K miles on it.

- Buchanan, MI, USA

problem #66

Jun 252019

Soul 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,997 miles
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that when the vehicle was pulled into a parking lot, the front of the vehicle emitted smoke and in no time, became covered with smoke. The contact stated that within thirty seconds, the front of the vehicle became engulfed with flames. There was no warning, except that the contact smelled a burning rubber in the past, but did not make anything of it. There was no injury. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. Both police and fire reports were filed. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that someone would call. The contact was not called. The failure mileage was approximately 23,997.

- Iselin, NJ, USA

problem #65

Jun 172019

Soul

  • 111,000 miles
While driving 25 mph on city street, without warning, car stalled. Towed to local dealer to find out the engine had seized. Bought used through a dealer in town with 102K miles on it, have had the car for about a month. Excellent oil change history on carfax.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #64

Jun 182019

Soul

  • 79,300 miles
2.0 engine connecting rod went bad. When excelaraited car backfired loud screech sound from under hood and then knockin from engine from connecting rod. Was in motion when this happened.

- Bourbonnais, IL, USA

problem #63

Jun 042019

Soul

  • 110,000 miles
I was leaving work and noticed a loud ticking sound and stopped accelerating. I pulled over about a block away from work into a parking lot and called for a ride. My car was out of warranty so I had it towed to a mechanic who told me the engine was blown. It was fine with no sound while driving to work 9 hours before. The engine was running super hot and I never got any indication of a problem other then that loud ticking when I pulled over. Of course Kia won't do anything because my engine is a 2.0 when only the 1.6 was on the recall. But after my research I've seen many people with the same thing happening to them with the 2.0 as well! now I have to take out a loan for 4000 dollars to have my engine replaced with a used one because I'm still paying on my car!

- Montgomery, IL, USA

problem #62

Jun 012019

Soul

  • 85,000 miles
On June 1st, my so was driving from our home to St.johns, mi 5 miles into the trip the oil light blinked twice and then the car started slowing down to 20mph. He pulled over and we called my husband and he looked at it and said it looked like it had a blown piston. We had it towed to his shop until we could have it towed to Kia. Over that weekend I researched the recall and even though the recall was not for our motor ( which our motor is a 2.0) it did the same thing as the other ones. I also read the other complaints and there was three from our area and with the same motor as ours. So on the 3rd of June I called Kia and had it towed. By the 5th they said a new motor was being shipped and it was covered under the 100,000 mile warranty. Kia of lansing set me up with a rental car and played for it until July 6th, 2019. We received a a call today June 20th saying that Kia motors was not paying for the motor cause I'm the second owner of the vehicle. I told the service manager that I haven't even owned it 7 months. He said it would be $6200 to put a new motor in. I told now why would I spend $6200 on a motor when I still owe $12,000 on it and its only worth $6500. The service manager and technician told me to file this complaint cause they know these cars are junk. The service manager also said that the motor doing what it did was not our fault he could see we had kept up on the maintenance.

- Fowler, MI, USA

problem #61

Jun 182019

Soul

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact's daughter was driving at approximately 60mph when the vehicle caught fire underneath the engine. Prior to the vehicle catching fire, the emissions warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local fire department and the vehicle towed to a dealership (lakeside Chevrolet 2005 S goliad St, rockwall, tx 75087, 972-638-8377). A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted several weeks prior to this event and was told that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The approximate mileage on the vehicle was 100,000.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

problem #60

Jun 032019

Soul

  • 90,250 miles
Drove up a hill for a delivery. Car stalled half way up the hill. Tried to restart car, when doing so & put the gears into drive the car rolled back some. With this, the engine & battery lights came on. Tried to restart the car three or four more times. On the last attempt, the car started rolling backwards. Put the car in park & turned off the ignition but the car wasn't stopping. In panic mode, didn't try to apply the emergency brakes. Ended up hitting another vehicle with the rear of my vehicle. On top of the damage done to the rear of my vehicle & the other person's, the two passenger tires of my vehicle blew out.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #59

May 082019

Soul

  • 87,955 miles
Recall notice 19V120. Case #13172862. 2015 Kia Soul. When I took my vehicle in for a recall repair May 8, 2019 it was already performing in negative way in alignment with problems listed on the recall notice, which includes knocking noise from engine, illuminated mil & oil escape. On my service ticket from dealership, it's indicated there are engine issues, but no repairs were made other than a software update. I provided all maintenance records as requested (which covered the last 2 years) and was told by the Kia service manager ' that I provided substantial information worthy of qualifying for replacement parts at no additional cost. He said he would present my case to a Kia rep for further evaluation. When in motion, my vehicle still makes horrible loud knocking noises and often stalls. But, currently, my vehicle is stationary & unsafe to drive due to the engine problem. I've had to find other means of transportation while my Kia sits inoperable in my driveway! over the past 3 weeks, I have repeatedly contacted the Kia consumer assistance center, case manager and even the local Kia service manager to no avail. This is outside of what's considered a reasonable amount of time!! no return calls or updates have been provided on my case number. I have been the one to reach out each time. During a phone call I made last Friday, May 31 -- I was told by a customer service rep that the (un-named) district manager would give me 20% off my repairs!! I'm expecting these repairs to be done without charge because the problems are directly associated with this recall. Kia wouldn't provide the district manager's name or any contact info. This situation has jeopardized my safety & continues to create many inconveniences! please help me to resolve quickly. This website has info: Https://www.caranddriver.com/news/A27053460/NHTSA-investigation-Hyundai-Kia-fires/

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #58

May 092019

Soul

  • miles
While driving loose of power, followed by engine tapping. Check oil very low (just had oil changed, and I double checked after service.) restarted and tapping turned into clacking engine shut off, not one warning light, unable to brake without pushing super hard and steering became hard too. Had toed to house once cooled down was able to restart drove it maybe 800 feet and it died unable to start. Had it towed to shop was told lower end of motor bad needs new motor. I have read a lot of complaints of similar nature on heat and on carcomplaints.com. Why no recall this is dangerous. Luckily I'm an experienced driver and not going to fast. Would hate to see this happen to less experienced drive or at a higher speed on a curvy road.

- Ruckersville, VA, USA

problem #57

May 282019

Soul

  • miles
2015 Kia Soul using about a quart of oil every 2000 miles. Scheduled an appointment with local dealership in hagerstown, md. Person on the phone said they would perform an oil consumption test. Took it too the dealer and service advisor came out and showed me a sheet with $1300 worth of recommended service work.I asked if they changed the oil and he said they were waiting for Kia to call them back. I also explained to the service rep that NHTSA had an open investigation on the 2.0 liter motor and he acted like he knew nothing about it. I said I didn't want the vehicle to blow up and leave me stranded. The car has only 54000 miles on it. I hope NHTSA moves quickly on this investigation. I feel Kia is dragging me and others along hoping they won't have to do a recall as they did with the 1.6 and 2.4 motors. There is no way the service advisor did not know about the ongoing issues with these motors. I find it hard to believe Kia has not sent internal bulletins to dealerships regarding this issue.

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

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