My daughter's car 2017 Kia Soul (with low milage) suddenly went into limp mode with no previous warning lights. No indication whatsoever of any issues. It just suddenly shut down. This happened on a freeway overpass in Dallas when traffic was moving at 70mph. All of the sudden, my daughter's car began to slow down dramatically and wouldn't speed back up. Freeway overpasses in Dallas are many, many stories above ground level, and traffic backed up behind her. This could have easily caused a catastrophic accident, but thankfully, she was able to limp off of the highway unscathed. Then my [XXX] daughter had to sit in her car on the side of a highway for hours until we could get her help. The problem? Kia's known, but ignored issue of burning oil. Despite her car being within the window of the oil change mileage, her car had burned through the oil on her trip home from college and was dangerously low. There was no warning that it was low until the car suddenly went into limp mode. Not only should Kia be responsible for fixing the manufacturing flaw for consumers that they are harming, they should be investigated for causing safety hazards on our roads. While my daughter is unharmed, this could have easily caused a huge accident and there are thousands of cars like hers burning oil unexpectedly and suddenly shutting down. The government needs to help as consumers do not have enough power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Austin, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, the vehicle lost power and the engine became inoperable. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 89,200.

- Abington, MA, USA

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH on the interstate, black smoke emanated from the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the flames of the vehicle grew larger. The contact exited the vehicle when suddenly it exploded. The low oil pressure, air bag, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The fire department extinguished the fire. The police department was on the scene and confirmed that the fire department filed a report. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence and diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the rod bearings had failed and caused damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Eldon, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that smoke entered the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated she was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,806.

- Oakland, CA, USA

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL LEAKS. I was told that the oil was leaking from my plug from Precision Tune Auto Care 312 W. Plaza Dr. Mooresville NC. 28117 phone ( 704 )799- 0874. My car had been losing oil and I was told that my plug was losing the oil. I

- Statesville, NC, USA

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle started to smoke under the hood. The contact noticed that there was a fire under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report was filed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. The VIN was not available.

- Blanchester, OH, USA

While driving car began shaking, which lead to a puff of white smoke then blac smoke followed by car locking up in highway. Break petal would not move and when put in neutral power steering was gone every though car was on and everything else besides break worked. Turn on and off and car drive off again with strong shaking. When taken to mechanic I was told a spark plug melted into the engine and the shaking caused one of the ignition coil to become loose and oil to seep in. Now I am being told I need a new engine, all fluids where fine and oil had just been changed Thursday prior to incident, car is unsafe to drive because of random lock ups and extreme shaking

- Queens, NY, USA

Car has 41,900 miles on it. Engine rod blew through the bottom of the engine without warning 900 miles after last oil change. All maintenance records are with Kia and up to date. Denied a replacement because the car's VIN is not included in the past "Product Improvement Campaign". All symptoms of this engine breaking are in line with the previous years issues. Hoping there is a recall on these later years because there is no help right now.

- Mililani, HI, USA

On 6/30/23 While exiting the highway and waiting at a traffic light he noticed smoke coming from the hood. As he proceeded through the intersection to pull over the dashboard lit up with many lights and then the power went out. He was able to coast to the side of the road. A Police Officer happened to be nearby and called the fire department. When they arrived and opened the hood the engine compartment was in flames. They put the fire out and then the car was towed to a storage yard. A claim was filed with the insurance who then had the car moved to the dealership for repairs. On 7/5/23 Upon arrival, the service advisor proceeded to do their normal intake, put the key in the ignition, and started the car which then burst into flames and became a total loss. The regular driver of the car is disabled and it takes him some time to get in and out of the car, if it had been engulfed in flames he would not have been able to get out as quickly as your average driver. The insurance and manufacturer both have inspected the car and determined it was an engine failure. The car had been to the dealership the week before for an oil change.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started pulling to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she allowed the vehicle to pull to right lane as there was no traffic, and the vehicle struck the guard rail. The vehicle then stopped and made an abnormal banging sound. The vehicle was towed to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine. The vehicle was then towed to an unknown dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and would be repaired out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,845.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

The engine of my vehicle began to make a knocking sound while driving, without a warning. It was diagnosed to be due to a broken rod and excessive cylinder clearance, leading to faulty engine, that needs replacement. Yes, it is available for inspection. Due to being stranded off the freeway for over 4 hours, over 300 miles from home, myself and 1 other person were left stranded overnight without a vehicle. We had to pay for an unplanned hotel room for the night and U-Haul to tow the car back home. We did not drive the car further, because we were worried about the possibility of the car and engine overheating or getting worse. Yes, the issue has been diagnosed by a AAA mechanic and Kia service mechanic, who notified me that this issue is common among many other Kias. The Kia service department notified me that I need the engine to be replaced, and that they will not be covering the charges. Additionally, a new engine rod knock sensor has been made for Kias, and I was never notified to get the sensor installed. The engine failure did not lead to any warning lights and when the issue first occurred, I stopped driving the car immediately to not make matters worse. In addition, this vehicle has been maintained regularly (following Kia guidelines), and has only 59000 miles.

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

The car engine made a clamoring noise and sudden seized up and stopped in the middle of traffic. The hood started smoking and a good Samaritan passed by and alerted me to get out of car. I did and noticed puddle of liquid was in flames and soon the front of the car was also in flames.

- Torrance, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The check engine warning light remain illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 183,000.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

Engine light flashes every 6 weeks. I have to have my oil checked weekly as it is constantly low despite not apparent leaks.

- Fairfield Township , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there was a continual clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle while making a left or right turn. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that after the brake pedal was released, the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- Waynesboro, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound inside the vehicle then the vehicle started to decelerate without warning. The contact then stated that other drivers on the road alerted the contact-??s friend that a fire had ignited underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact-??s friend was able to pull the vehicle off the road and exit the vehicle. The local authorities were notified and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot where the technician diagnosed the vehicle that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Iowa City, IA, USA

First, on January 13, 2023, my 2017 Kia Soul leaked all but 1/4qt. oil while parked in a lot for about 30 minutes. There was no indication of an issue prior to the event. I just happened to see the puddle while walking to my car. On this date I had 64,100miles on the car. I was stranded in a parking lot 3 hours from home for over 9 hours. Mobile mechanic stated it looked like a loose oil filter and did a complete oil change (to include the filter). He said had I tried to drive my car, I would have blown my engine within a few miles. He also stated that the oil pressure sensor was not in good shape and needed replaced as soon as I could do so; within a week, the sensor was replaced. No items available for I inspection but mechanic bills available. Aside from two mechanics, no one else has inspected the vehicle. Now, today, April 16, 2023, I was parked outside a store for about 15 minutes and came out to a puddle of oil under my car. Checked my oil and realized it was just touching the Low indicator on the dipstick. Had to have a friend tow my car home so that my car and I could both be safe this evening. I am not sure what the cause of today's issue is yet as I have not made it to the mechanic; so this is UNKNOWN. However, a full tank of oil leaking out twice in a 3 month slan is not a coincidence. Clearly, there is some sort of issue with the vehicle.

- Columbia, SC, USA

I am writing this letter to inform you of what I feel is an unacceptable situation. On November 17, 2022, my friend and I were heading to a veterinary specialist about 3 hours from where we live. On the way there the engine in her 2017 KIA Soul with about 85,000 miles on it started knocking. I said this isn-??t right, so we called for a tow. We had it towed back to our local mechanic, and they said it was a low-end engine knock. The mechanic called the local KIA dealership-??s service department to see if it was covered by the warranty. The KIA rep asked for the VIN after which they informed the mechanic since Julie did not respond to a letter (not a recall) sent out about a software upgrade that needed to be done to detect the problem early, it was not covered. She never saw said letter and has been at that same address for over 30 years. Our local shop quoted her $6,985.25 and about 2 weeks to replace the engine. She called the local KIA service department and they said they could make an appointment to diagnose it January 21st (but if she brought it in, they would fit it in before then, if possible, she had no idea that it was going to be over 4 months.) She also called KIA corporation (which took multiple calls and was on hold forever) to inquire about the warranty and was told KIA would not cover it. KIA corporation said her problem is with the U.S. Postal Service if she never received the update letter. The local dealership finally diagnosed it days after her scheduled appointment and was told she would have to pay over $6,000 and it would be about 4 weeks to have the engine replaced. I find it unacceptable my friend is told to check back every couple of weeks. I could totally understand it if KIA said, -??we-??ll take care of it, but it will take some time-?? but to have a paying customer-??s vehicle over 4 months (a third of a year) is ridiculous in my opinion. Julie is having to borrow vehicles and

- White City, OR, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter parked the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer the next day, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,435.

- Rainbow City, AL, USA