In 2020 Kia Motors America sent letters about a Product Improvement Campaign. This 'campaign" was intended to update software for a Knock Sensor System (KSDS) that detects vibrations indicating the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear in the engine. Per letter "The KSDS is designed to alert the vehicle driver AT AN EARLY stage of bearing wear BEFORE the occurrence of severe engine damage including engine failure". I never received this letter. I never knew that there was a severe issue with my car, my check engine lights never came on. I took my car in to Car Pros Kia in Huntington Beach a couple months ago for a transmission fluid change and they never told me anything was wrong or that this Product Improvement Campaign was available. On 6/1/2021 my car died out of nowhere. I took the car to KIA where they filed a claim for a new engine per the product improvement campaign but it was denied. Dan Boyer, supervisor from Kia Motors America Claims Department told me the deadline was 4/16/21. This date isn't on any letter they sent. After searching, I realized that these letters are available for the public to view. I realized that one letter from 3/21/2020 states in bold underlined format "We would, however, like to assure you that there is no immediate need to have this software update performed". Clearly this is incorrect information, getting this software update is CRUCIAL-your engine WILL be damaged if the rod bearings are damaged as mine was. Kia Motors expected me to bring my car, despite I never received a letter, I had no idea there was product improvement campaign surrounding this issue, and expected people to bring their car in for it in the middle of a pandemic. Now I can't go to work, my livelihood is at stake, and they want me to pay $6,000 out of pocket + any other fee associated without taking any responsibility on the matter. I'm seeking assistance in making things right, I'm looking for compensation, and awareness about this corporation.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Engine started knocking and stalled on the highway going 70mph, almost caused a major accident. Had it towed to local KIA Dealership. Although I was the second owner, and the car was over 5 years old and had 71,000 miles, KIA replaced the engine under warranty. Metallic debris was found in engine, probably causing failure.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle would shake and vibrated before the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

I have a 2016 Kia Soul, base model 1.6L. Attaching recall notice, as I do not know the number (there have been 2 that I know of) after receiving product improvement campaign notice dated 4/6/2021, I notified my Kia dealership in which I purchased the vehicle (7301 new lagrange rd, louisville ky 40222) and was told the next available appointment to do the recall update was 2 weeks from when I called, I asked if it was safe to drive since the recall is about engine fires and my engine light was on. I was told it would be fine, this was a "software update" but unfortunately, the rate at which my engine was burning oil, the day before my schedule recall appointment (5/11/21), my engine apparently blew while I was driving on the hwy. Prior to the smoke coming out the back, I heard clicking and then what seemed like something shooting out from the bottom of my car. The oil that I had put in (even though I was not due for an oil change) was leaking as they towed my Kia to the dealership. I did not hear back about my car until I reached out for the 3rd time Friday 5/14/21, where the tech told me I needed a replacement engine and Kia motors will not cover it, stating it was because "there is an open recall for my engine and I had not had the recall completed" I have opened a case with Kia customer affairs. Kia service center was unable to give me the date that the recall started.I do know that my car was serviced for a recall prior to this, 3/31/2020, in which there had been so much damage to the catalytic converter, it needed replaced. That was covered under the recall apparently, but for some reason this most recent recall is now showing that it is no longer open according to my VIN on the NHTSA website. So the dealership must have cleared it, but still claims it was not completed so that they are refusing to replace my engine, quoting me $6.3K should be covered 100%

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

While I was driving the engine died. I was able to restart and get home but the motor had a knocking sound. I took car to dealer, they said engine was bad and there were recalls on it. They did did some recall work but said the engine wasn't covered because I didn't get the recall work done sooner.

- Eldridge, IA, USA

I was driving at 40mph and it stalled. I immediately pulled over and realized there was no oil in it.I walked two miles to walmart for oil. None of it leaked out. I recently had an oil change. The company that did the oil change found no leak and no responsibility. I filed with Kia and they denied a review after two attempts to have them fix my vehicle. No leak. No oil in the driveway. No excessive ware. Then Kia came out with the knock sensor and refuse to fix my vehicle still.

- Edmond, OK, USA

Vehicle had recall for exhaust too hot possible fire catalytic converter failure and rod end engine failure.the catalytic converter was replaced before recall and now 2yrs 10mo later has failed again?towed to dealership and my assumption was correct and catalytic converter bad again.now filed Kia complaint#14131010 and am waiting but spoke with service manager and waiting but pretty sure they're not going to cover even after failure of converter before and after their recall.I was driving on U.S.19 in Florida and vehicle just immediately failed with no power and no limp mode at approximately 4-5mph, was almost rear ended in a bad accident from this malfunctioning and what is said in Kia's words that limp mode would come on and vehicle could be driven at 1800-2200rpm and 65mph.not true more like 500rpm and 5mph.very dangerous possible deaths from this failure.

- Port Richey, FL, USA

A few months ago car intermittently started bucking as if watery fuel or fuel depletion was occurring accompanied with a loud sound as of grinding metal. Check engine light would come on intermittently for a short while and then go off again. Braking and slowing would temporarily stop it until it recurred. With time those episodes grew more frequent. I consulted martin Kia of bowling green, ky from whom I bought the car whose service department seemed to offer no suggestion as to the defect. Two autozone stores tested the engine, one with with check engine light off and another with it on, and both tests agreed that the catalytic converter was malfunctioning. Tests at the above Kia dealer confirmed that finding and replaced the converter at a total cost of almost $1300 saying its 98000 miles was out of emissions warranty. Problem is, the intermittent bucking and grinding persists. Online I then read that this is likely a recall case already receiving 147 similar complaints and that some of these vehicles had been finally totally destroyed by an engine fires. It has become a fearful thing to drive it with that knowledge. What is your advised course foe a remedy?

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle began to make an abnormal knocking noise, a burning odor was detected as the vehicle began to lose power as several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and left the vehicle on the side of the road. The next day, the contact's fianc attempted to meet a tow truck driver at the scene where the vehicle was left; however, upon arrival, the vehicle was gone. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where they discovered that the vehicle was burned to ashes. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. A police report nor a fire report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was 66,186.

- Tazewell, TN, USA

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated when they starting their vehicle, they heard a loud knocking noise coming from their engine. The contact called and had the vehicle towed to local dealer jeffrey automotive group ( 30800 gratiot ave, roseville, mi 48066 phone: (586) 296-1300 ) who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as metal fragments in the engine pan causing the knock sensor to be replaced. The local dealer replaced the engine, however two days after the vehicle was repaired the contact stated their husband was driving 70 mph and approaching highway exit, they notice black smoking coming from the front hood of the vehicle. The contacts husband was able to drive and pull into an empty parking lot and where the contact and her husband exit out of the vehicle and distance themselves from the vehicle where they saw fair amount of sparks and fire coming from the engine. The fire department did come out and extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. No medical treatment was need at the scene. No one was injured. The vehicle towed by the contact insurance provide where they inspect the vehicle stated the fire was caused by oil leak from the rear of the engine and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,312.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, a loud noise was present coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to boomer Kia located at 339 w interstate 240 service rd, Oklahoma city, ok 73139 who discovered that there was no oil in the engine. The contact indicated that the oil was recently changed prior to the failure. The dealer added oil to the engine however, days later the vehicle stalled and it was discovered again that there was no oil in the engine. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000. The VIN was not available.

- Choctaw, OK, USA

Much like others on here, was driving normally when within moments, the car began to make a noise immediately followed by smoke. This car has had regular maintenance and is just over 100K miles. These engines are obviously suffering from the same problem as the 1.6 liter. Kia needs to recall these immediately.

- Wildwood, FL, USA

Engine is comsuming too much oil too fast. Had oil changed recently and before it was time to get it changed again the oil light on the dashboard came on. Took car to place to where they changed the oil last time and they checked the oil and said the level wasn't even high enough to touch the dipstick. Car is not driven that much nor is it leaking oil. Tech said to see if there is a recal for this as he remembers there maybe being one.

- Spring, TX, USA

While driving and accelerating. My car loses power and slows down. Blue smoke comes out of tailpipe and smells like oil. I have a 2016 Kia Soul. I have noticed where there were recalls for 2016 Kia Soul. My car has alot of these problems but I have not received information about a recall. Please let me know if my car is included in the recall. Thank you.

- Bridgeton, NJ, USA

Blown engine after some work was done under current recall (catalytic converter replacement)

- Shelbyville, TN, USA

Seems the check engine light comes on and off and when taken to the dealership. They cant find nothing wrong with it. The check engine light can stay on for days and the engine runs ruff. When this is told at the dealership they say they cant find anything. This light is on when the car is running weather its sitting still or driving.

- Minooka, IL, USA

Kia and dealer aware of this vehicle consuming excessive amounts of oil which could catastrophically cause engine failure with a high risk of driver/passenger death if vehicle runs out of oil. Kia is unwilling to replace/repair/fix the problem. This lack of acknowledgement by booth the auto manufacturer and the dealer is just cause for negligence and may result in death or fatal injury. The vehicle is at 65,000 miles and has had two oil consumption tests performed by spitzer Kia, cleveland, Ohio at 1000 mile intervals. The problem is well known to the auto manufacturer and they will not intervene with replacement. Engine fire could cause accident, and or death to occupants and or other victims if engine runs out of oil and creates excessive heat. Warning lights do not illuminate to warn driver and occupants of danger. A law firm suggests reaching out to NHTSA to resolve.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

Excessive oil consumption. Kia dealer states after performing two oil consumption tests back to back at 1000 miles each that the engine needs replaced. Kia will not replace engine as vehicle has now passed the 60,000 mile engine warranty. Vehicle has 65,000 miles. Dearler states that I have to pay.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

My car caught on fire. The whole car is damaged. There is no front the interior is gone. I have started a case with Kia. My vehicle was going up a hill about 30 minkes an hour when it started smoking. It was pulled over and the hood was popped. The engine was on fire. Soon the whole front and middle of the car was on fire. This was at 14000 jericho street at the entrance of bowie state university in bowie md. Police and fire departments were called.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

While driving on the NJ turnpike at night time, I went to change from the right lane into the middle lane and the car stalled not able to pick up speed. As the car stalled there was a fast moving truck which was coming and that was able to switch lanes forcing me to move into the last lane which made the cars behind me have to come to a sudden stop. I then had to put on my hazards and slowly move back over to the shoulder. Once completely stopped I shut off the engine. After waiting for some time I started the car again, but nothing changed. I remained in the right lane with hazards on and drove the car not being able to go above 40 mph. Eventually the car got back to driving normal right before arriving home which was about a 40 to 50 minute ride. The car was taken to the dealership and I learned that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. This is after taking this car to be looked at twice and being told that there was nothing found. Now I find that there is a recall on the car (NHTSA id: 19V120000), but it says that my vehicle is not amongst the vehicles recalled.

- South Plainfield, NJ, USA