10.0

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

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #409

Jun 272022

Soul

  • miles
Engine blew up unexpectedly while driving with no prior warnings.

- Interlachen, FL, USA

problem #408

Jul 072022

Soul

  • 60,799 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while he was performing an oil change, he noticed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty due to him being the second owner. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,799.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #407

Jun 272022

Soul

  • miles
My 2015 Kia Soul had a massive engine failure at 80 thousand miles, and the engine is damaged beyond repair.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #406

Jun 162022

Soul

  • miles
1. The Oil light came on and I thought I just needed an oil change. I was driving when my car started making a knocking noise. I called 4 KIA Dealerships to explain my situation and they all kept trying to push me off on the other, until one of them was finally able to get me an appointment at the other location in Longwood, Fl. Long story short they told me that there were a few recalls on my car and they could be fixed, only to find out later they could not fix my car due to another recall not being done on the car, even though the recall notice that they sent me was said they are to fix Catalytic Converter Protection logic in the Engine Control Unit, and if Necessary Replace the Catalytic Converter and/or Engine at NOT COST TO ME. Yet KIA Dealership called me back to tell me they couldn't fix it and I must speak with the manufacturer of KIA to ask them to fix it only for them to say they would give me a case number and call me back, ONLY NOT to call me back and then the person who said he'd be fixing my car kept giving me the run around and then told me he would speak with the regional manager of KIA and they could possibly GIFT me an ENGINE, for my car. Like how odes that make since. They can GIFT ME AN ENGINE, but they can't fix my car like it states in the letter they sent me. It clearly states my car can stall (which it did) and cause an accident, catch fire or combust due to the recall issues. No matter what was said it's like KIA Dealership was trying to BLAME ME FOR THE ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHEN THEY SENT ME A NOTICE AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALLS WHEN MY SON BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM. I screen shot all the conversations sent to me via text and chat. LIES AFTER LIES FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIPS so disappointing. My car has been at the dealership for almost 2wks and nothing has been done. They want ME to pay $6,720 for a new/ENGINE replacement when they are supposed to fix it for free regardless the issues and warranty! No one has contacted me for days now!"??"

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #405

Jun 172022

Soul

  • 103,629 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated the vehicle was being driven to the dealer for an oil change when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer stated that the recall under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) needed to be completed before the engine would be replaced. The contact stated that she also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 19V101000 (Engine) however, the dealer and manufacturer declined repairs for both recalls. The contact stated that she received the recall notifications in April of 2022. The contact stated that the dealer was notified of the recall and stated that if there were no issues with the vehicle that there was no reason to take the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. A case was opened with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 103,629.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #404

Jun 162022

Soul

  • miles
As per Kia's recall on the catalytic converters on some models, our Kia is also giving the CEL obd code of p0420, but on nhtsa our specific car isn't listed as being a part of the recall. It fits in the engine being a 1.6l and the correct year for the recall, and is having the same issues as the recalled models, but for some reason our's isn't shown as having that recall on this site, even tho it does show up as having that recall on other vin checking sites.

- Woodburn, OR, USA

problem #403

Jun 122022

Soul

  • miles
While driving down the interstate, my car started sputtering, decelerating, and then cut off. I was able to get it back on long enough to get off the interstate. When I stopped, my car cut off. Turn it back on, sputter down the road, then engine knocking, turn off. For about 15 miles. I finally got it towed to my Kia dealer and I explicitly told them about the recall. They had no idea what I was talking about so I called Kia. According to Kia, even though my car is on the recall list, I'm out of luck because I wasn't informed that it had to be done during a certain time. I'm not the original owner and never got notice and now I'm out of a car I am STILL paying on!

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #402

Jan 062022

Soul

  • miles
Kia Soul is burning oil more frequently before every scheduled oil change. Lost of power going uphill.RPM goes high and drops speeds drastically. I had already replace catalytic converter twice. Most recent, it started to lose power, went into limp mode with no check engine light and messed up the catalytic converter had to replace again.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #401

Apr 292022

Soul

  • miles
Engine light and ABS light always on, kia hasnt explained this issue or expressed concern about it.. Engine randomly started leaking oil, blowing out white smoke, stalling out upon accelerating causing safety issue in traffic. Kia has had car for 2 weeks now with no answers to resolve. Being told the recall issue is "fine" I use my car for work and this unresolved issue is affecting my livelihood. This all began on 4-29-22 and am now being asked to pay for further testing for diagnostic purposes. Told there are no loaner vehicles and to rent one at my own expense.

- Kalaheo, HI, USA

problem #400

May 062022

Soul

  • miles
Engine knocking extremely loud

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #399

Apr 192022

Soul

  • miles
Hello I have a 2015 Kia Soul with a 1.6L engine and I am awear that there is a recall on Kia souls in the same year as my car. I called and as you can see, it says my car does not have a recall on it. Today is April 19,2022 and due to my car giving me problems and would not start at times, and a few days ago the engine started shaking. When I took her to pepboys today the diagnosis was The same that-??s described in the recall for Kia souls. My Cadillac converter needs to be changed and there is a chance of a fire combustion. I would like for someone to contact me because this could have ended badly and put my Safty at risk. A recall is created because customers find defaults in these models of Kia-??s due to them being build improperly. And Kia have tried to fix the problems but I know they have missed my car. Don-??t want to have to pay soo much money on something that-??s not my fault because someone else have acknowledged their mistake and is fixing it.

- Bradenton , FL, USA

problem #398

Sep 012021

Soul

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who performed a diagnostic test that determined that the cam shaft sensor was defective. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The following day the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic test which determined that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine failure was not related to the recall and was given an estimate for a new engine. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the manufacturer but each attempt was unsuccessful. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Jenks, OK, USA

problem #397

Aug 012021

Soul

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed there was a misfire in the engine however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #396

Apr 062022

Soul

  • miles
oil light came on randomly while driving. Took to the shop to have checked out. Was found to be almost empty of oil. Oil was changed 2 months prior. Filled up with oil and left. Everytime the vehicle would sit adle the oil pressure would cause the oil light to come on. Took to the dealership and was told it needed a new engine. Dealership promised to replace the engine for no charge. Stated it would take appoximatley 3 weeks. Stated there was a recall and issue with these engines. After 3 weeks dealership called and stated the vehicle only passed 1 or 2 test required before replacing engine. The engine would not be replaced free of charge. the vehicle has 82,000 miles. Have record of every oil change that was serviced at the appropriate time. The dealership wanted $8700 for a engine.

- Tupelo, MS, USA

problem #395

Mar 012022

Soul

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was performed. Several months after the repair, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle was shaking while idling. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming and excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission was flushed; however, after the repair was performed the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted into limp mode with the check engine and oil level warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic and was informed that the knock sensor was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle towed be towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was confirmed that the knock sensor was defective and that the repair would be covered under the original recall. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he also linked to the failure. The contact was informed that his vehicle was repaired but remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #394

Feb 152022

Soul

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic where she was informed that piston ring #3 was damaged and needed to be replaced; she was also informed that there was a recall on her vehicle. The contact was informed by the mechanic to speak with a dealer for assistance. Upon calling the dealer, the contact was informed that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Clarkston, WA, USA

problem #393

Jan 012021

Soul

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and an engine software update was performed. The contact stated that later while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate and failed to accelerate above 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to second local dealer; Wyatt Johnson Kia (2285 Trenton Rd, Clarksville, TN 37040: (800) 748-8230) and the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the knock sensor system to be installed. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made the mechanic aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Symsonia, KY, USA

problem #392

Mar 192022

Soul

  • miles
The vehicle was taken to highway and after an uphill ramp (from Stringfellow to I-66E), the vehicle lost power, started to smoke, brake system lost power (foot brake did not work, so side brake was used to stop the vehicle), then caught on fire at Mile Marker 56.6. Yes, it is available for an inspection. I had to evacuate the vehicle in the middle of interstate highway that did not have an emergency lane. 3 out of 4 lanes had been blocked, so, yes, it did put others at safety risk as well. Problem cannot be reproduced as the vehicle will be deemed total loss (pending insurance company's inspection). However, please note that the engine was replaced at the dealer, under the warranty, 2 weeks prior to the incident. Insurance company is inspecting the vehicle and the captain of the fire brigade has stated that he will be filing a report in Fairfax County, VA. Excessive smoke and smell. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer the next day after the vehicle was picked up 2 weeks ago due to loss of power, transmission shift lags, blinking engine light, excessive vibration, etc. At the time of the incident, the dashboard did not indicate any engine lights nor the thermostat indicated overheating.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #391

Mar 172022

Soul

  • miles
I purchased my 2015 Kia Soul at the end of 2014, while living in Florida. I moved out of Florida in 2018, and had the car's registration changed to include my new address as soon as possible upon my arrival in my new state of residence. Kia began notifying owners of this vehicle about recall # 19V120000 in February 2019. Kia, by their own admission, mailed notice of this recall to me using an old Florida address. This letter was never forwarded to my correct address and I continued driving the vehicle unaware of this safety issue, which increases the risk of engine stalling and engine fire, until March 2022. In March 2022 the car began to break down while I was driving approximately 70 miles per hour on a state highway due to the exact problem described in recall # 19V120000, abnormal engine temperatures damaged at least one piston and a piston connector rod to the point that the connector rod broke and punctured a hole in the engine block, allowing engine oil to escape. I immediately got off the highway and returned to my residence, which was only 10 minutes away from my location at that time. The vehicle was then towed to a Kia dealership, where the service department informed me that they would not honor the safety recall because they are only obligated to repair or replace the engine before this issue causes the engine to be damaged, not after the damage has already occurred. I contacted Kia's corporate office and challenged this decision on the basis that I never received the notice of the recall, and therefore it was impossible for me to bring the car in for preventative maintenance of this issue. The response from Kia was that they are not responsible for seeking out an updated address to contact vehicle owners by, and that the single letter sent to the outdated address they had in their internal database was a sufficient and reasonable attempt to inform me of this potentially deadly flaw in their vehicle. Kia did not communicate with my state's RMV for this.

- Whitinsville, MA, USA

problem #390

Oct 122021

Soul 4-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle started to lose oil and knocking sound in engine began which may be coming from the piston rings. It is available for inspection and I have taken it to 2 KIA Dealerships. In regards to safety Quest - I drive my daughter to school and home and myself to work. Our safety has been at risk every time we are in the car. The problem was confirmed by both dealerships KIA of Alhambra and KIA of Downtown Los Angeles. In regards to question of any other inspection - No. In regards to Quest of warning lamps - Yes engine light comes on and off. Car is drivable but the knocking in the engine and the loss of oil forced me to stop driving it because I believe the pistons are about to go out and cause an engine fire. This issue began in October of 2021 and that is when I found out about this recall from a friend. I contacted the dealership that I purchased the car from which was NOT a KIA dealer but a Nissan Dealer. I bought the car used at the end of 2019 but it did not start giving me this problem until October 2021. Both KIA dealers said that the recall should have been taken care of long ago and declined doing any repairs which included the recall repair stating that the issue would require changing the engine out as you state above could possibly happen. Recalls are missed all the time and I am not sure why this was not addressed before but I have attempted numerous avenues to get my car fixed and have had no success. Recalls do not expire. My car is only 6 years old. I am also an a 3 tour ARMY Vet and I am surprised to know that KIA treats their vets in this manner. This is a valid open recall that has not been addressed and KIA Dealers seem to blame me for their faulty engine. I am not surprised that there are so many lawsuits pending. Please help me get my car fixed so I can safely drive myself and my daughter around. Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rialto, CA, USA

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