10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 14,477 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.
Multiple stations failed emission inspection in texas for fuel not completed and evap not completed. Tried multiple things to fix. Took it to shop that kept for days and diagnosed with logic lock with the ecm/ecu. Basically bad ecm which is common problem with kia soul and there are recall for models older than 2016. Moritz kia kept for 17 days and said they could not figure out issue but ordered new ecm. I contacted DPS and got steps to get waiver because it could take weeks to get part. Asked kia to inspect again since two failed inspections required for waiver. Some how it passed inspection with the same two not completed emissions. In texas vehicles newer than 2001 are allowed only one not ready. Kia said they would not replace ecm since it passed inspection. Appears they are trying to not fix known issue. Concern is if a real issue with car happens the ecm will not update with error since it has logic lock. There are lots of reports of issues with the ecm and kia not honoring warranty. The ecm is covered for 8 years 80k and the car has 7 years 70k now. It appears they are just trying to delay fixing issue. If battery is pulled, obd code reset, or ecm pulled out none of the codes reset like they should.
- Weatherford, TX, USA
Car burns through oil like no other. I won-??t even be half way through my 3000 miles and with no warning the car will be low on oil and stalling in the middle of Turning. Usually when turning left. Mechanic says there isn-??t an issue. But no car should be made to burn oil excessively. I can-??t even make it the regular 3000 miles. Engine light has come on multiple times. Now replorting catalytic converter issue assuming that-??s related to the excessive rate of oil burning.
- Toledo, OH, 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
On 11/07/22 my car started to sputter & lose power while going up a hill, the incident only lasted a few seconds with no warning lights. Later that same day my car wouldn't start and when it finally did start it started sputtering, had no power with no warning lights, plus there was a strong smell of gas from inside the car. I had the car towed to a local shop. The shop cleaned the injectors, put a fuel treatment in the tank and replaced a bad O2 censor. 8 Days later on another hill it happened again. A hard sputtering followed by loss of power, still no warning lights but also no smell of gas. I drove it back to the same shop and after just one day the shop could not get my car to reproduce the same incident but was having difficulty starting it so they installed a new battery. 5 Days later on Thanksgiving my car sputtered hard while driving with no warning lights or smell of gas. I was barely able to get my car across 2 lanes of oncoming traffic in order to pull into a store's parking lot. I had it towed to a new shop. At this new shop it was diagnosed that the car needed new Spark Plugs, a new High Pressure Fuel Pump and new Injectors but the shop took 3 weeks to give me an estimate and so I went and retrieved my car and towed it KIA of Lynchburg, having only had the Spark Plugs replaced. Once at KIA, I was told I had a Catalytic Converter failure and it needed replacing. KIA said that it would be covered under Emissions Warranty. I had the part installed and 3 days later on New Years Eve as I was driving on the highway, I had to come to a stop due to a stop light and when I halted, the car again sputtered and I limped into a nearby parking lot and had it towed back to KIA. KIA tried to say it was Engine Failure this time but the Engineers said the High Pressure Fuel Pump should be replaced. Once installed and during a test drive by the Master Mechanic, smoke emanated from under the hood. Soon after that my Engine bay was on fire which led to a total loss.
- Forest, VA, USA
On January 16, 2023, my engine suddenly died while driving in moderate traffic, with a loud banging noise. I could have been in a serious accident, or killed, due to manufacturer and dealer negligence. When I was able to restart the car, it knocked terribly, but I was (barely) able to get it the short distance back to my home, where I discovered that there was very little oil in the car, though I have it changed more frequently than recommended and check it, as well. NO WARNING LIGHT came on. On January 17, I called a local dealer, who informed me of a recall that addressed that issue, though I NEVER received a recall notice. The dealer where I bought the car confirmed that this was a safety recall issue, and therefore, since I hadn't done the recall, because I was not notified, my unsafe, barely drivable car would not be repaired by the dealer. As I received this information from 2 dealers and from the manufacturer's customer (lack of) service representative, I have not taken it to a dealer to be inspected. I since learned that the dealer had not given my correct email or address to the car company, so recall notices must have been sent to an address I haven't lived at for 6+ years. They corrected this during my call on January 17. My current car was not even in their data base until my call to the manufacturer. They had a previous car I owned listed. I am seeking restitution and assistance on this matter. These recalls do not show up on this website, either.
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
May 2021 catalytic converter failed on vehicle. It was on back order and could not be replaced until July 2021 at 106,612 miles. At that time, I had dealership and national check for any recalls or recommended repairs. There were none. November 18, 2021, while siting at a stop light, engine suddenly began to knock loudly, I pulled over immediately and had it towed to dealership, at 118,729. Engine failure due to rod bearing failure. Engine had to be replaced. National claims there was a recall repair that was not performed before November 2021. As of oil change in October 2021, there was none. Recall repair was issued first week of November 2021. I received the mailed flyer after November 21, 2021.
- Hockley, TX, USA
When I bought my car in 2018, I didn-??t like the way it drives. I had to take it back the next day to return it, but the dealer in North Aurora Gerald Kia said they wouldn-??t take it back & I paid cash. I-??ve been taking it back and forth from Gerald North Aurora to Bob Rohrman in Schaumburg Il. They have been been telling me every time, there-??s nothing wrong. I-??m hearing several noises in the Suspenion. So finally I told Bob Rohrman dealer to check everything before my warranty runs out. So far nothing didn-??t happen until after my warranty. So I paid for 4 tires, front brakes, rotors. They finally said that I needed an Arm Control & a Strut, with low mileage, but Im steady hearing noises. I know know what to do. After I paid cash & had start going to find out what-??s wrong with my car, the service dept was never friendly or professional. I always was told there-??s nothing wrong with my car and that I know better. I-??ve been driving since 17 yrs old and I-??m 68.
- Streamwood, IL, USA
I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane to the left of me, and behind me. I had both of my hands on the steering wheel the entire time. I, of course, took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brakes. The brakes were not stopping the car. The car took off and was uncontrollable. I hit the car in the lane to my left, traveled across the same lane, then luckily ran up a curb and onto a median that had grass on it. The car was out of control and moving swiftly. I steered it to the right and off the median (which avoided hitting oncoming traffic head-on). The brakes were not stopping the car. I heard and felt that the car was hitting things: the car to my left, the median, etc.) I think the car may have spun 360 degrees, one complete revolution, and then jumped the curb and went up onto the median again. Again, I steered to the right to avoid crossing the median. The car then spun 180 degrees, and stopped perfectly facing south in the left northbound lane. (I thought I had gone up the median two times; however, maybe it was only once, as my passenger thought. I don't know if it was once or two times up the curb and onto the median. It all happened so fast.) Car was towed away. What failed: the car wildly took off, veering to the left; the brakes didn't stop the car Risk: the car was uncontrollable (except steering somewhat) and moving; if not for the curb and wide median, I would have traveled head-on into oncoming traffic; the car spun as if spinning on ice Reproduced: the car has not been touched; there is a consumer affairs case open with its manufacturer Inspected: by my insurance appraiser, at the dealership Warning: none, was a shocking surprise
- Overland Park, KS, USA
Smoke will come from the vents and it fogs up the window to the point of no visibility while driving. The sent smell sweet
- Roseville, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while either stopped at a stoplight or while making a turn, the vehicle would lose motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel system failure due to trash in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was invalid.
- High Point, NC, USA
After having some minor body work done (nowhere near the engine) I got my car back with the engine light on. Body shop said they hooked it up to a scanner and it just needed a tune up. Then while driving, the oil light began flickering off and on, so I checked the oil. It was fine. Then shortly after the engine started knocking. The knocking got louder and faster the faster I went. I had it towed to a mechanic from my work, and when he checked it, he said that he found a piece of the engine IN the oil pan and that the engine would have to be completely replaced. It only had about 80,000 miles on it and was serviced regularly. I bought it used with 5000 so the 100000 mile warranty was not applicable.
- Ponchatoula , LA, USA
This is the second time I have had to take my vehicle in to have the speed sensors fixed. Now Kia is trying to charge me $400+ for something that is obviously a defect within the system. They have failed to respond to my many complaints, and I am hoping you all can do an investigation as to why I am having continued issues with the speed and traction sensors. Please help.
- Beverly Hills, FL, USA
Oil light came on and engine started knocking, then car shut off in the middle of the highway
- Saint Louis, MO, USA
My vehicle has the speaker lights package... for the past few months, I have noticed that when im driving my speaker lights will sometimes flash even with the switch set to off. Other times it will cycle through the mood setting...again while the switch is off. Some times it will do both...mood lighting and flashing to beat of the music...while swtiched to off. On 2/6/2021, I brought my car in for servicing. I mentioned the issue to my service advisor. Told me they would look at it...cool. I'm okay with that. I leave, then come back to check the status of my car. Tells me they can't reproduce the issue. Ha! I have a video...I show it to the service advisor who tells me to go wait in the lobby and he'll be right back. About 30 minutes pass, my car is done. He tells me that they still can't make it do what I showed him. I'm guessing a video isn't real proof there is a real electrical issue going on. The service advisor tells me to "swing by" when it happens. Mind you I live about an hour away, I only went to friendly Kia because I was told they were good. Apparently not! anyway, there is an issue Kia is refusing to address. I'm guessing no one there knows what would happen if a Kia vehicle were to catch fire due to a short in the system just days after having it in due to an issue with the speaker lights having a short. That would not look good being told all over the media, then in court when that person sues you for damages due to an issue you refused to correct with video proof...about 20 seconds of proof that there is an issue!
- Beverly Hills, FL, USA
When driving my car 1 hour or more and turn off the car and turn on again my car and immediately turn on the ac my car engine shakes and turn off the motor. I left my car in the dealer when I buy the car in 4 times but nobody found the problem. So I feel fear for will have an accident. Please I need help. I have this problem since 2018.
- Odessa, TX, USA
The engine started making a ticking noise. Which got louder and faster as I drove. I went 20 minutes down the rode and the car stopped and started rolling forward with no power as if I was in neutral. I tried to jump the car and did not succeed, the oil was bone dry. I added oil and the same noise arose and the car stopped again. Lastly. I could not get my car to go 2-4 min without it turning off. I will be able to provide a video of this happening, I do could not load the file choosen
- Brentwood, TN, USA
Oil light keeps flickering when at idle or low speeds. I hear this has been an issue with this for many years of Kia cars.
- Springfield, MO, USA
While car was in motion backing in my driveway, I was able to pull drivers handle while lock engaged and door opened while vehicle was still moving. Although I planned on opening the door as car came to a rest I was surprised how easy it was to open while car is moving, and door had done so prematurely then I expected. Concerned I tested while driving forward like 20 mph & door opens when grabbing on handle. My concern is while the vehicle is in motion one should be required to manually unlock any door before it opens. I addressed with my Kia dealer and they told me this is normal that opening handle overides the lock. This would make sense to do when car is parked, not when the transmission is engaged. I have 2004 Saturn and mine doesnt do that. I understand door/lock features can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. I can see a benefit to the handle overide feature that people could be in panic in case of fire or other danger that all they think about is the handle and stay trapped because they forget about the lock. The consumer should be allowed to decide if this is a feature they want enabled or not. Kia has told me there is nothing I can do. I feel this is a big safety concern since all you have to do is barely grab handle and door releases; dont need to pull handle all the way. If nothing else it should release after 5-10 seconds of continuous pressure while handle is in maxed out opening position to open door while transmission is in any gear other than park. And if nothing else, only the drivers door should be able to open while cars in motion while pulling on handle. Front passenger door tested and does same thing. Kia says only the rear doors should stay secure with child locks, I disagree! had another time when I was gonna be dropped off as a passenger and planned on openening door, it flew wide-open when turning in driveway and almost damaged 2 cars!
- Bolingbrook, IL, USA
When I am driving and I stop at light and start to pull out my car is like it has know power at all then it will just take off its done that when ihave pulled out into traffic just complety stop than take off is there any recalls on something likes this worried one day not going to take off going to get hit
- Edgewater, FL, USA
- Kempner, TX, USA