10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,811 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #51

Sep 172022

Soul 4-cyl

  • miles
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

problem #50

Oct 142021

Soul

  • miles
Catalytic converter needed replacing at 100,000 miles! REALLY!! I have NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BEFORE 200,000 miles! CHEAP PRODUCT installed!

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #49

Jun 132022

Soul

  • miles
My wife has a 2015 Kia Soul that developed a gasoline leak in the engine compartment. The Kia dealer said some of their other models have been recalled due to gas leaks and fires but this model has not. This model has the same engine and obviously has the same issue as the Kia model that was recalled. We were very lucky that her car did not catch fire or explode and that I was able to see the problem after she drove the car a short way. The fuel line was leaking gas where it connects to the high pressure pump on top of the engine and from the hose just behind the engine.

- Linthicum , MD, USA

problem #48

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 #47

Jan 112022

Soul

  • miles
At busy intersection was stopped for red light. When light turned green put foot on gas and car would not move more then 5 miles per hour. No warning lights on dashboard. Was able to get to side of road. Has car towed to mechanic close by, they said both catalytic converter would have to be replaced $4,700. Strange to have this kind of damage fir car under75,000 miles. Looked up recalls and KIA had one fir that year of car. Recall number: SC176 Had car towed to closest KIA dealer in Gladstone Oregon. They said the engine showed damage and would $8,700 to fix. Said recall or the warranty would not cover cost. Warranty for up to #100,000 and recall states recall could cause engine damage.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #46

Jan 162022

Soul

  • miles
Now when I just went to check my engine oil it smelled of gas and was starting to get pretty low. I just checked it 2 weeks ago and it Was fine. No one has ever inspected the vehicle and yes it is very available for inspection. Still my fuel consumption is terrible and now my oil is low low with a gas smell to it. No warning lights have ever came on and it seems to drive fine.

- Twin Falls, ID, USA

problem #45

Jan 102022

Soul

  • miles
After reading in my instructions Manuel about what might be causing my fuel consumption to be way to high I learned that the gas cap was suppose to click which it has not since we got the vehicle in December of 2021so I went and bought a gas cap and now it clicks like it-??s suppose to. My fuel consumption is way to high right now I have filled this car up with gas so many more times then any other vehicle I have owned. When I put fuel in you can smell the fuel for the next two days and every now and again you get a whiff of engine coolant smell and a burning smell I-??m not sure what the burning smell is because I-??ve never smelled it before. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection. No one has inspected it still since my last complaint. And no there has been not a single warning light.

- Twin Falls, ID, USA

problem #44

Dec 252021

Soul

  • miles
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

problem #43

Oct 192021

Soul

  • miles
The subject vehicle was take to dealer to address recall SC176. In this recall there is a flow chart instructing the dealer on how to repair the subject vehicle. This flow chart was clearly not followed. The dealer only performed the ECU Logic improvement and did not replace the catalytic converter. The subject vehicle had trouble code P0420 before it arrived. The code was cleared while in the dealers care but returned 6 miles after the vehicle was picked up. Service manager Nick was contacted, He said there were no stored codes however I provided documentation show the code was there and the check engine light was on when dropped off at the dealership. I believe this is a violation of NHTSA. Because the subject vehicle still has a defective Catalytic converter that is manufacture defect.

- Stockton, MO, USA

problem #42

Sep 022021

Soul

  • miles
The engine is leaking oil and got so hot that it melted the inside of the Catalytic converter. This is a recall on 2015 Kia Soul 1.7 liter and not on my 2015 Kia Soul 2.0 liter. I had the car towed to the Kia dealership, Larry Stovesand-Carbondale IL, 5/7/21 to perform 3 recalls: PI2002B (knock sensor), SC200PS (engine inspect/bearing clearance test) and SC155B (pinion gear). The dealership service dept. told me that they had to do the knock sensor and pinion gear recall before they could do the engine inspect bearing clearance test. They kept my car for 3 months, until 8/4/21 and told me about the melted catalytic converter, but still had not performed the engine inspect. I marked the tire with a rock on top to make sure that they did the test. After a week, I went to the dealership. They told me the car passed the engine test. I asked if the test was performed in the garage and I was told yes. I told the service personnel that my car had not been moved because I had marked it with a rock and that the rock was still in the same place on the tire. He said he was going to get the tech and immediately walked out, came back with a tech person that said that he had performed the test but that he had not put it into the system yet. I got the keys to my car and called my local mechanic and had him tow my car to his garage to replace the catalytic converter. The car had the same problems with knocking, hesitation, top speed of 60 mph, and using oil. My local mechanic said the pistons are leaking. I finally got the recalled documentation in the mail from the dealership and it showed they only performed PI 2002B & SC200PS recalls. They did not perform the SC155B recall even though they had the car for 3 months. The car stalled on the highway with my daughter driving. That was terrifying! Now the car is back at Kia for the engine test that I don-??t think they did the first time. Now they said it passed the engine test again and only needs a knock sensor. That will not fix it!

- Benton, IL, USA

problem #41

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 #40

Jul 072021

Soul

  • miles
I purchased my car in March of 2020. A month after I had my car the brake pads wore out with NO indication and the calipers broke. I called Kia and explained what the issue was. They tried to blame my mechanic. I told them that their technicians had to have known the brake pads were low if they did a thorough inspection. I was laughed at. I told the man that I was going to report them to the Better Business Bureau. He then told me to bring it to Kia. I told him it was at my mechanics and I no longer trusted their technicians to do the work on my car. Had my breaks failed I could've had a very serious accident. June 24, 2021. I had my intake gasket repaired by my mechanic. My car drove fine until I was exiting the highway. It started to lose power. I barely made it off the highway when it stopped. I contacted my mechanic and they were able to get it started to get it back to the shop. After he took a further look at it, he advised me to contact Kia to run a diagnostic which I did. They charged me $80. They then confirmed what my mechanic stated the issue was. Kia wanted to charge me over $1000 for the work. I don't trust them to do the work as well as not having the money. My mechanic repaired the vehicle but it was still doing the same thing. He spent hours trying to figure out what the issue was. He told me Kia needed to find the issue. I contacted Kia on July 7th and spoke to Jack in their service department. I asked him to have his technicians call my mechanic so they could figure it out. Jack took my information and my mechanic's information and said he would have them call. No one called. I called back that same day around 3:45pm. First Jack told me they were busy. I told him so was my mechanic. He then said they don't normally have technicians speak to mechanics. I told Jack he should've told me that when I spoke to him previously. By that point i was very angry. I told him they need to fix my car and i wasn't paying for it and i won't.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #39

Dec 012020

Soul

  • miles
Leasing a 2015 Kia Soul + from Weston Kia in Portland, Or. on 9/1/20 with 94,191 miles on it. I-??ve had routine oil changes done on 12/14/20 @ 99,961 miles & again on 3/8/21 @ 104,432. Now from about 1-2 months after leasing my Kia, the MIL would turn on for some time then go off just to turn back on again. I had an ASE certified mechanic where I work run a diagnostic Check on it with a code of P0014. Called Weston Kia service department about it and I was told that I would have to bring it in to them, charge me $139 to run their diagnostic check to see what-??s up! Now On 1/25/21 I received a letter from Kia about a safety recall, #20V750 for my Kia, after 3 months I was finally able to get it in for the recall service. I-??ve looked up my vin number again to find out that nothing was done with my car however, now both my MIL & EOPWL, only at idle, is flashing, and I-??ve had to add oil to my engine 2 times between oil changes, occasionally during acceleration my car hesitates from lack of power! Now I-??m scheduled today, 5/25/21, to go back to the dealership service center to again have my car looked at. Now after reading all 459 complaints from other Kia owners with similar issues, that my first high interest rate, leased car that I still owe 10k on, is either going to cost even more to get fixed or it-??s just going to die because I can-??t afford to get KIA-??s faulty engine problems fixed nor keep going back to have a diagnostic test done @$139 just to tell me it-??s nothing! 459 similar complaints is telling me that I just dug myself into a hole.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #38

Dec 062020

Soul

  • miles
Contract 100K miles/10 years. Current mileage 92388. Still within warranty contract. While driving, 12/6/2020, my car stopped running after a brief warning on the dash. Check engine and oil light came on. Within a few minutes, I heard a noise, and the engine shut down. There were no oil leaks or any fluids under the car. I towed the car home. I towed to ray brandt Kia in harvey la 12/7/20. A month later, I was told the engine failed. By 1/4/21, I was asked for permission to tear down the engine for inspection. 1/8/21 brian murray, svc mgr. Said valve cover to be removed for inspection. Fidelity warranty/ray brandt Kia approved repairs re: RO101874. Per vicky, the inspector directed the timing belt replacement. On 1/13/21, test runs done to see if it fixed the problem but no compression. No action taken on recall 20V750. Per vicky, ray brandt recommended replacing the engine. Used engine found for replacement with approx. 42K miles. Per vicky at ray brandt svc dept. I received recall letter dated 1/25/21 by mail. Called vicky about recall. She confirmed it on her computer. Ray brandt called days later to say fidelity denied my claim. They stopped all repairs. Told I had to call fidelity for documentation. Called but no response. After sending a certified letter 3/9 to legal. Nancy beausejour called. She sent a reply dated 4/7. first two inspections reveal oil and other fluids are good and no sludge in the engine. This was prior to two more inspections with different conclusions. Final inspection show engine warped. Due to ignoring the recall, no action on service department recommendations and test runs without repairs, the engine warped. Before this failure, I had no engine overheating. Since 4/22/21, after 5 calls to Kia consumer assistance ctr.,called. May 12, 2021

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #37

Apr 012021

Soul

  • 68,000 miles
I get an error code P050A in temperatures below 50 F after starting the car. The csr has 68K miles on it. This code relates to cold start idle air control performance. Had the car in the shop and a faulty purge solenoid was replaced and throttle bore cleaned. Now three weeks later, I get the same code again. Car seems to drive fine, but when I first start the motor seems to surge for a few seconds. I am concerned this issue will damage the motor or might even create a safety hazard.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #36

Apr 212021

Soul

  • miles
Three open recalls that prevent the car from being safely driven, but my local dealer says the soonest opening they have is in 2.5 months to perform the work

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #35

Mar 202021

Soul

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the contact smelt smoke from the inside of the vehicle. The contact stated upon trying to stop the vehicle, the brakes would not engage when depressed and the gear shifter would not change gears. The contact then stated that flames arose from the bottom of the vehicle onto the headrest and up to the dashboard and windshield. The contact was then able to unbuckle her seatbelt and jump out the vehicle while the vehicle was still moving. There were no crash or injuries due to the fire. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact has not notified local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer has not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Rolla, MO, USA

problem #34

Feb 282021

Soul

  • 55,329 miles
Have had problems with same problem since 2020 took it in roughly 5 times for same thing said was catalytic converter they put new one in not fixed when I push down on gas pedal it hesitates for 3-4 seconds then kicks in drives for a while then it shuts it down when you push on gas pedal when at a stop sign it hesitates again happens a lot more now in traffic it hesitates then kicks in something is definitely wrong with car has 55329 miles I need to know if this under warranty if electrical or transmission we are unsafe driving you never know when it is going to hesitate

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #33

Feb 152021

Soul

  • miles
My engine is leaking oil and there is something blinking on the dashboard.

- Cameron, NC, USA

problem #32

Mar 102021

Soul

  • 56,000 miles
I was notified of engine fire recall on my Kia Soul. I have taken my vehicle in complaining of burning smell, engine light, tire lights coming on - every time they refuse to fix anything. I was told at the dealership by service staff that 'he's sure my car if fine and it would pass thier' inspection, so there is nothing they will do. Even with the recall letter. The staff person also said that the media (news) is 'making it all up'. I am disabled and they refuse to help with my car and the engine fire recall.

- Westminster, CO, USA

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