10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 26
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 38,162 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving, the vehicle began to hesitate and would not accelerate past 30 mph. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side the road. The vehicle was not able to be driven and was towed to lev Kia of framingham (located at 510 cochituate rd, framingham, MA 01701, (508) 879-5555) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
- Framingham, MA, USA
The car was being driven on a city street. The car began to make knocking noise coming from the engine. As I accelerated, the knocking noise would increase. The noise would continue even if the car was doing a turn. Also being stationary, the vehicle would be with that knocking noise.
- Berwyn, IL, USA
In motion going about 50 miles per hour when vehicle made a kind of crackling noise and felt a slight sputtering like it was going to stall. Pulled over immediately to check engine. After checking fluids while vehicle was off started vehicle again. Immediately heard even louder crackling and clanking noises. Turned it off again. Tried again to crank and switched into different gear to see if noise changed and it got quieter when changing heard but then when right back to loud noises. After letting it sit that afternoon had to drive it home a short distance but did so very carefully trying not to strain the engine. Then had it towed the next day to local dealership. Engine issue, broken connecting rod clanking around in engine damaged the engine block. After researching I found there was a recall for this issue but that my Kia Soul plus with the 2.0L engine was not included. I scoured the web looking for other plus or exclaim Soul owners with similar issues and there was no shortage. I think the 2.0 L engine needs to be included with this recall issue. Thank you for your time.
- York, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact experienced multiple failures with the vehicle and stated that the steering control module, electrical system, and catalytic converter became defective without warning. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 17V608000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. Also, while the vehicle was idling, the engine shook and a sulfur odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to first Kia (2081 1st St, simi valley, ca 93065, (805) 624-4044), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 42,000.
- Moorpark, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving 60 mph, the contact heard an abnormal knocking noise without warning. The vehicle lost power and the contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road where smoke was noticed coming from the hood. There were no flames; however, the fire department was contacted anyway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact to take the vehicle to university Kia of durham (5105 durham-chapel hill blvd, durham, nc 27707, (919) 572-1700). The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
- Durham, SC, USA
Car engine light came on. Diagnostic was run by private mechanic. The code that popped indicated that it could be a catalytic converter problem.mechanic dropped a camera on and the catalytic converter has melted due to what he assumes is excessive heat. Mechanic indicates that this does not make sense given the low mileage of the vehicle.
- Jamul, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While traveling 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the engine seized. The contact had to push the vehicle to the side of the road, but managed to eventually drive home. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was excluded from the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.
- Lilburn, GA, USA
I was getting dinner, and I admit that I pulled out rather swiftly and punched the gas, cause people in my area are very aggressive, however having the engine stall, should not have happened, or should I say my engine took a turn for the worst and stopped working for good.so here I was stalled in the middle of a busy hwy and people were honking and going around me.this was not a spot where I could just pull over.so I pushed the car to the next perking lot.I almost got hit initially and almost broke both my ankles trying to push this over sized toy vehicle.towed it to the shop and I got a $6000 bill for a clunked engine.now, prior to all this I didn't do many oil changes, however, how could I when the oil kept burning up.this always puzzled me as to why I kept having to put oil in it, with no visible oil leaks.I think that this engine also had a problem similar to the 192vwhatever engine.I think I had 130,000 miles on this vehicle, but I had no other problems with it.it may have had a lot of where and tear on it, but it should never have done this much damage.I think the, "NHTSA" should do some investigating on this and I will get to the bottom of this for everyone that had this problem.
- Lilburn, GA, USA
I had 2 recalls carried to university Kia, huntsville Alabama. Days later the car broke down had to have it towed back to said dealer to find out original service coordinator was fired told he was not performing recalls. My car has been back at dealer for 8 days now not fixed was told converter was stopped up and computer had not been upgraded. Leaving us with no transportation to get back and forth to work. Need help!! please
- Hayden, AL, USA
I was driving down the freeway on I-20 going see mother in law @ around 10:30 pm and the car just started licking up speed on it own and I had fiancee with me. I am deaf said there something wrong I said what the car started idling really werid. And he said pull off next exit start try to stall on the freeway. So pull over to exit and start to run normal for few mins then stall again off and on. I pull off hulen St at tom thumb parking lot check everything seem okay with motor and fiancee check didnt see anything wrong. I have notice around August car seem pick up speed on it own I really didnt think anything of it. Then I notice that it seem use oil because sometime there doesnt seem be any oil in car. I would put some in and week later seem all gone. I dont see no oil leak.. I notice it used gas really fast I am having fill tank U maybe 100 to 130 a week. I dont travel far either. 11/12/2019 when stalling started and I know none light came on at all on the engine or anything. No warning no nothing. I am financing this car there a dealer they hiley Hyundai in burleson Texas. I am leasing F quill M exter finance. I just recently purchase this is just 2019 2016 Kia Soul..
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her of NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The contact took the vehicle to bramlett Kia (3326 us-31, Decatur, al 35603, (866) 750-3933) where initially only a system update was performed on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the only way the catalytic converter could be replaced per the recall was if the service engine indicator illuminated. The engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. The contact stated that the pistons continued to knock on the vehicle and the dealer refused to service the vehicle due to the pistons not being included in the recall. On another occasion, while driving 70 mph, the engine stalled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 101,710.
- Addison, AL, USA
Was driving home from work, stopped at a light then proceeded to go and vehicle had little to no power. RPM's wouldn't go above about 2500 and would then bog down and almost die. Diagnosed with failed catalytic converter at 66K miles. If it was clogging up, we should have seen decreased performance at some point. This isn't something that should just happen all of a sudden.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Car was in motion making a knocking sound. Car felt like it was going to stall so I pulled over to the shoulder. Car stalled when I stopped. I tried to start the engine again but all of the warning lights came on and nothing happened. I noticed light gray smoke coming from under the hood. I was going to pop the hood to check if the car was overheating and smoke became thicker and black so me and my kids exited the car and went a safe distance from the car and I called 911.
- Romeoville, IL, USA
2016 Kia Soul high oil consumption now I am losing power it will stall at 60 down to 40 while driving on the highway. Was told my car was not recalled for the same problems of other recalls pertaining to this car. When it was under warranty they refused to do anything now at 83,400 they told me that my warranty has ended.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle made a strange noise. The contact stopped the vehicle, added two quarts of oil, and continued to drive. Suddenly, a loud pop sound was heard. The contact and three passengers exited the vehicle and saw flames coming from the engine area. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. Both police and fire reports were filed. The vehicle was totaled and towed to a tow yard. There were no injuries. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
- Grants Pass, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The vehicle was serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) at summit place Kia (located at 4200 interpark dr, auburn hills, mi 48326, (248) 682-6002) in April of 2019. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to ed voyles Kia (located at 2145 cobb pkwy SE, smyrna, ga 30080, (770) 952-2621) where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 76,472.
- Norcross, GA, USA
I was driving my vehicle on the interstate (I-90 wb) on 10/11/2019 at approx 70 mph. My engine started to lose power then I saw smoke coming from under my hood. I immediately pulled off the interstate and checked under the hood. My engine was on fire and eventually, the vehicle went into flames. The car was destroyed by the fire.
- Canton, OH, USA
Damaged engine due to oil system issue. Dealership serviced ever since purchase. During the first mile of the last drive a engine noise began. The vehicle was immediately stopped and engine shut off. Upon further inspection, the oil showed low and it is believed that the engine spun a bearing. Car does not have any leaks, no burning oil out of the exhaust.the vehicle is within oil change factory recommendation and only 65 thousand miles on motor. Vehicle speed was 25 mph on a city street.
- South Jordan, UT, USA
The cars engine stalled will driving. Car has oil. Not oil related. Not sure why engine is gone. I have to replace engine.
- Robbins, NC, USA
- Stafford, VA, USA