10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 34,550 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.
Description of Incident: The engine has experienced a failure that causes oil to blow back from the engine, covering components both under and outside of the engine cover. This has resulted in oil accumulating on the exhaust and other hot components, creating a significant fire hazard. Safety Risks: This malfunction poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of others, as the oil leakage could lead to a fire while driving. Additionally, the vehicle stalls at various speeds, which increases the risk of accidents or harm to other drivers and pedestrians. There is also a strong smell of oil inside the car, potentially indicating harmful fumes entering the cabin. Inspection Availability: The component/system causing the issue is available for inspection upon request. Reproduction and Confirmation of the Problem: The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by two SAE-certified mechanics. Inspection by Others: The vehicle has been inspected by two SAE-certified mechanics but not yet by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: Warning signs included consistently losing oil even after a fresh oil change, smoke from under the hood, a strong oil smell inside the cabin, and the car stalling during operation. These symptoms have been ongoing and progressively worsening, with the vehicle now stalling more frequently.
- Bay, AR, USA
I was driving about 50mph when my car suddenly stopped accelerating. I rolled down the hill a little before I hit the brake and put the car in park right in the middle of the street in traffic
- Woodbridge, VA, USA
Having acceleration problems with the Kia and catalytic converter. I had contacted the Kia dealer but can't be seen till August but I need vehicle to go to work plus have dr appointments and can't drive the car feel like it's gonna die on me how can I get this problem recall done sooner as I need my car
- Independence, OR, USA
Unknown. Engine or fuel mishap Car caught on fire as I was driving down the hwy with my 3 kids
- Fort Worth , TX, USA
My catalytic converter failed just under 4 years after getting the SC176 recall done in July 2020. I believe it's possible there was a step missed in the replacement of my catalytic converter related to the recall, specifically the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic that may have caused the converter to fail. I do not detect that on the attached receipt from the repair that was done for the recall. Although there were no safety issues that happened, after reading the recall and what can happen as a result of the catalytic converter failing, I am concerned for my safety if I drive it any longer in that condition. The problem has been diagnosed by my local Kia dealership on Friday 4/19/24 and that is where the car is presently. I have attached the inspection report and the cost to fix it. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other the Kia dealership. There was a ticking sound when I accelerated that wasn't there before on 4/3. The service engine light came on Thursday 4/4 when I was getting my routine oil changed. I changed the PCV valve and the light went off until approximately 4/17 and then I called the dealership to schedule bringing it in for the diagnosis which was 4/19. This is the only information I have at this time. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
- Kissimmee, FL, USA
My 2015 Kia Soul recently went out of service. One day last month my car randomly started stalling and shaking to the point of barely being drivable. There were no signs or dashboard lights. Thursday, September 15th, 2022, I took my car to a local repair shop and they ran a diagnostic that came back as a bad Catalytic Converter on Friday, September 16th, 2022. According to the mechanic, the converter nearest the engine had broken off and pieces of it had gotten into my engine and fuel line resulting in a need for a new converter and a complete engine flush. The mechanic pulled up a recall and suggested that the car be taken to the dealership as this particular issue should have been covered under that recall. He suggested that I no longer drive the car prior to getting it repaired for my and my children's safety as my engine could have blown up at any time and caught fire. Also on Friday, September 16th, 2022, I had the vehicle towed to the Kia dealership in Napleton Mid Rivers as advised by the mechanic. The car was towed to the dealership where I made them aware of the issue and I was advised they would have to perform a second diagnostic to confirm. Monday, September 19, 2022, I get a text message from Dennis Gearhart, a service advisor for Kia - who informs me that their diagnostic came back showing that I need a replacement Catalytic Converter, oil change, and minor tune-up. Dennis advised me that the repair would cost over $2800 and would not be covered under the recall because I'm no longer under warranty and the recall was marked as done. Upon further questioning - I was advised that the service advisor in May 2019 did NOT perform a replacement under the recall because it "didn't need it" yet here I am less than 7 years after getting a new engine from KIA and I'm being told to rectify an issue they were responsible for fixing and yet refuse to mitigate. They placed my and my family's life in danger due to the negligence of their staff!
- Wentzville, MO, USA
My car just shut down out of the blue. There was no warning of any sort as far as anything showing that needed repair with my vehicle. It just started jerking one day. I took it to the Kia dealership and they confirmed that it was due to the recall part but will not fix the part.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated his mom was driving the vehicle on the expressway at 55MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle did not accelerate and the speedometer was decreasing. The contact stated no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle resummed to perform as normal and the contact drove home. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
- Sylvania, IA, USA
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
while driving my vehicle all of a sudden in the middle of a busy road I lost power. My vehicle would no longer accelerate and came to a stop. Engine light came on. This caused a big safety risk to myself as well as others on the road due to my vehicle coming to a sudden and unexpected stop. The engine light came on, which was not on prior. I was just able to have my vehicle towed today to a Kia dealership.
- Parker, CO, USA
Acceleration system/ on highway at high speeds It stay accelerating at very high rpms as it shifts into the next gear and it is consuming a very large amount of fuel at the same time. It is available for an inspection. It has not been inspected by anyone. While driving on the highway at high speeds I felt it was putting my family and myself at risk of crash or engine failure or being stuck on the side of the highway.
- Twin Falls, ID, USA
My car started making a loud noise and the car would not accelerate as I was returning home on the highway. I was driving home on I-75 South when my car started to slow down and it was very hard to accelerate and was making a loud noise. I made it to the next exit off Sharonville Rd and made it into a gas station. I opened the hood to check the oil and it was extremely hot and smoking. I had to wait until it cooled off and put in some oil to try to make it on home. The check oil light was not lit which didn't even provide any indication that my car was out of oil during the 1/2 hour drive. I do not feel safe to drive this car, since this incident. I took it for auto repair immediately the next day. Please help with assistance with this issue.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
1. I experienced this twice now. Driving down an ally the vehicle turned off on me. The second time I was parked ran into my house came out and it was off. Luckily I wasn't on the highway at the time of this happening. Also in somehow lock my keys in the vehicle when I came out to grab something from the trunk. 2. you'd think a 2015 vehicle wouldn't let you do that especially with the keyless entry. 3. also I'm noticing a vibration in the idle when sitting parked with the engine on. 4. while in cruise control I noticed that the car does not stay at a consistent speed especially going up and down hills. The vehicle loses speed within a 10 to 20 mile per hour range.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Vehicle out of nowhere while driving on expressway started to decelerate I immediately pulled over safely and noticed the lights on my dashboard were illuminated check engine light and engine oil light. I took vehicle to havoline oil express and they checked my codes changed spark plugs and ignition coils but car still sputters and power is low lights are dim I have it now at a Kia dealership because I believe it to be the engine or something in the powertrain. Nothing like this has ever happened to the vehicle since I've purchased it.
- Round Lake Beach, IL, USA
I brought my vehicle up to benson Kia to get recalls repaired on my 2015 Kia Soul. There were issues with the catalytic converter due to a recall and I was informed by the servicing station at benson Kia that the issue was resolved. There is a rattling noise that is coming from the vehicle. Before I drove my vehicle off the lot the ratting noise was still present. I asked them to look at the vehicle before I drove off the lot. The mechanic brent looked at the vehicle and told me that it is the resonator making the noise and it is from a build up of gas fumes from the exhaust. I was then informed that the resistor falls out of warranty. Prior to getting the recalls repaired I never heard the noise. The dealership is not wanting to fix the issue that was caused by them changing the catalytic converter and told me that they no longer help me as their me chi sonics have done all that they could and they refused service on my vehicle. They then proceeded to inform me to go to a different Kia dealership to have them look at the vehicle. The dealership is approximately 30 minutes away from me and I am unable to get the vehicle to the shop
- Spartanburg, SC, USA
On the evening of July 22,2019 I was leaving targets parking lot put my vehicle in reverse and when I put in drive my 2015 Kia Soul took off. The rpms were the highest it could go going 40 miles P hour in a busy lot all I could was honk my horn. I tried the breaks putting in park and turning the key off. My wife and I were in shock. We hit the curb fly across 3 lanes of traffic the median and hit two cars. My wife was pinned there was white smoke in the cabin. People got her out fire dept came. My wife was transported to uci trama and I went back the next day to concerned for my wife rather than myself. Wife had 8 broken ribs separated and a broken back myself 7 broken ribs and bleeding of the brain. One hour prior approx to this accident we were next store eating and when leaving to go to target the engine started making a loud clicking noise I tuned it off and waited a few mins tried again and still the same noise. Then the 3rd time it was fine proceeded to target. All maintenance has been done and on time prior to this terrible accident. Our lives have change dramatically
- Garden Grove, CA, USA
Starting the engine the idle speeds up fast, a few seconds later it slows to normal. When driving today, there was no acceleration when attempting to. Vehicle was difficult for fuel to allow acceleration. I used my car all day today. This evening the vehicle won't start with the steering warning light turning on. Almost like the battery was dead. The vehicle finally started with acceleration high, the the engine light turned on and stayed on. I decided not to use the vehicle and will contact the dealership. Purchased the vehicle from a dealership in November 2018. These problems are new and have never occurred before. These issues occurred while driving today for the acceleration problem and the remaining non-starting/lights while stationary in my parking lot this evening.
- Biddeford, ME, USA
A couple of months ago the car said we have a problem with the engine and with the cooling system Kia had check it out and said nothing was wrong but it keeps going on it has a gas smell low push to do 70 on highway won't let me put on cruise control for long I can feel car ready to shake and stop needs oil all the time when I drive for 1 hr to work car starts to shake at a red light after I'm almost at work I changed battery on 3/10/19 I also changed the catalytic converters also brakes always have to change before there do on 3/15/19 have an appointment to change the flex on the car also because the oil was leaking on the engine it needed a seal and the top part I forgot what it's called replaced that's all I now for now
- Franklin, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving various speeds, the transmission lunged without warning. In addition, the contact observed that the vehicle shook vigorously while idling or while driving. Also, the vehicle would sometimes fail to switch gears. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000.
- Oakboro, NC, USA
- Wrightsville, GA, USA