9.0
pretty bad- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 2,227 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.
The hands-free bluetooth telephone connect system in my car, and all 2017 Kia Soul and sedona models with the base stereo system, does not allow hands-free operation with android phones. Only apple phones are supported. To make a call with an android phone one must manipulate either the handset itself, or the radio buttons and knobs in the dash. This violates the driving law in my state and I'm sure many others. It's also exceedingly distracting and unsafe. The sales brochure for these cars clearly states that the system has full functionality with both android and iphone devices. Neither sales, or service managers at the dealerships had been notified of this defect, and were as shocked as I was to learn the facts of the matter. I contacted Kia corporate offices in California, and was subsequently called by an escalation representative with customer service, who at least claimed no knowledge of the defect and promised a solution, or they would take the car back and refund my down payments plus damages. After three weeks of no reply to the few gentle messages I left, I finally had a conversation with him where he informed me that - the system is working correctly as designed, it is designed for use with the iphone - he also said that Kia was willing to buy me an iphone to settle the matter. This is obviously not a solution. The sales manager at my dealership says that he has spoken with his factory rep about the matter but there has been no comment and none is expected. So I'm compelled to make this report to you, and I intend to, as they say, blow up the internet, with postings exposing this defect and the corporate response. Please find attached Kia pitstop dealer technical operations network bulletin #PS462 describing this defect. This was provided by the dealer service manager, who like me is shocked by this, but told me today to expect nothing from Kia.
- Clinton, CT, USA
Voice activation does not work on base radio with android phone
- Southington, CT, USA
I purchased a new 2017 Kia Soul +. I have an android phone and told the sales person I wanted 2 things. 1) handsfree dialing and a backup camera. Their description never stated, nor did yours on your website, that the handsfree only works with iphones. I had a 2016 Kia Soul and it worked perfectly. This is a safety issue and false advertising. Android phone users have over 55% of the cell phone market and why you took this feature away from your car is a bad move. Then not to tell people when shopping, is another bad move. Im sure less people would buy your cars if they knew their android phones won't work. I am very upset because I know I wouldnt have purchased this car had I known I need an iphone to use the handsfree dialing. I am going to report this to the BBB because the sales person lied to me even tho they said they too were unaware that you took this feature away from the cars. You need to fix this because there are many Kia owners on the forums who are upset about this issue. You cant advertise that a car has an option but not tell them only if you have iphone this option will work. Again, its a huge safety issue too.
- Monona, IA, USA
I purchased my 2017 Kia Souls base model on Jun 28 this year from quirk Kia in braintree, MA. After just 2 weeks this issue happened for the first time. I was at a gas station gassing up the car, once I was done, I turned the car on, put it in drive and the car would not move ' I was pressing the gas pedal and nothing was happening. I immediately put the shifter in park, turned the engine off and on again and the car started to move again. On July 26 same issue happened again and it also happened right after I gassed up the car. On September 15th while I was working as uber driver this issue happened again, but this time while I was driving. I stopped at red light, after few minutes I started driving but just after 50-60 yards I completely lost acceleration. The car would not respond to gas pedal, while engine was running and I had electricity. I had to completely stop the car, turn the engine off and on again and the car started to work again. After this incident I called Kia usa (Monday, September 18th) and was advised by customer support to bring the card immediately to Kia dealership. I did some research on the internet and found a Kia Soul forum where other people have had the exact same issue. This is the site: www.kiasoulforums.com/10-Soul-problems/13994-2013-Soul-base-acceleration-problem.html attached are pictures from this forum from four different people who have experienced the exact same issue. As it appears, I am not the only one with this problem and this issue has been happening on Kia vehicles for a while. While no one mentioned whether they were able to repair this issue or not, many have complained on this forum that Kia dealerships refused to do anything about it. October 6th - dealership informed me that they can't replicate the issue and are releasing the car back to me. I am very concerned about the safety of this vehicle.
- Marblehead, MA, USA
Just purchased fist keyless entry vehicle. Dealer told me if the car is running and I walk away with keys in my pocket that the engine would shut off. At work next day got out of car with hands full, went into building and exprected car to shut down three hours later co-worker tells me car is running out in parking lot. Went out to investigate without my key, got into running vehicle and drove away with no key. Anyone could have stolen this vehice in that three hour period, I could have driven away and been stranded in a dangerous situation or I could have returned to the car that was out of gas and been stranded in a dangerous situation. This vehicle should not be allowed to shift into drive if the key is not near the vehicle.
- Waterford, MI, USA
- Battle Ground, WA, USA