2.1
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 76,142 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 contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to maintain oil pressure, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to maintain power and would stall after being started. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
- Wylie, TX, USA
Bought this vehicle used with 32k miles. Have experienced a judder when accelerating since we purchased it. This a known issue with Kia. I sent it to a dealership and they replaced a fuel injector and said that was the problem, it's not. Got the car back and it is still malfunctioning. This issue was reported on this vehicle previously when it was brand new. I need this issue fixed.
- Gulfport, MS, USA
Code P0507 Keep causing engine light to turn on. Replaced air filter, MAP sensor, and had throttle body relearned. Also, Alternator was said to not be working after car stalled. Alternator is not working again 1 month after proper replacement of alternator and serpentine belt. Put at risk due to stalling. Available for inspection upon request Vehicle has not been inspected at the dealership due to no appointment slots available until may 2023 No warning prior to engine light coming on and incident happened multiple times prior to engine light coming on.
- Coats, NC, USA
My vehicle randomly started making a knocking noise. We took it to our local mechanic who stated he has seen a lot of these come from the Kia line lately. the knocking noise comes from the rods. He said the cost to get this repaired would be $4,000-$5,000, since the bottom portion of the engine would need to be replaced. This car is not driveable. We are the 2nd owners and the car only has $65,000 miles on it. We bought the car from carmax in November 2021, and they did a full investigation and found no fault with the car. The rod knock started in March 2022. We are hoping there would be a recall on this, as we see from forums, we are not alone. The check engine light did not come on at any point.
- Glen Burnie, MD, USA
Driving on Route 79 on Labor Day weekend, at 70mph in the passing lane, my 2018 Kia Soul+ with 77574 miles refused to accelerate and then the engine completely stopped. We were able to get to the side of the road unharmed but the engine was completely dead. We called triple A and has it towed to a local garage I called Kia corporate because the car is not yet 5 years old and the garage thought it might be under warranty. The Kia consumer line 800-333-4KIA took 5 hours to reach a human but gave me a claim number and the representative said it had to be seen at a dealer but that I was likely covered. I advised I was the second owner and that when I was trying to find their number I tripped upon an optional product improvement campaign I was not made aware of. I was very suspicious and surprised. I asked repeatedly what happened if it was towed and not covered. And they said to call back but I should be ok. Kia towed it to the dealership. The dealer took 2 weeks to look at it and make a determination. They are stating that because I did not have the improvement campaign completed that they will not cover the engine. I was told to call back Kia corporate which I did and after 3 hours of waiting I was informed that there was nothing they can do that I was out of warranty because the improvement campaign that I was never notified of had not been completed on my car. They state that they sent a letter in November of 2021 but I did not receive it. I'm now being charged diagnostic fees by the dealership and they still want $11,000 and 4 to 6 weeks to do the necessary repairs. I still have a loan on the vehicle for $12, $321.46. I called Kia corporate back they will do nothing to assist me because it is out of warranty and I did not have the campaign improvement done because it was never sent as notification to me via email or phone and I did not receive the document they claim to have mailed. The supervisor I spoke with told me that there is nothing that KIA can do.
- Coraopolis, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered a light grayish smoke coming from the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence and the next day called the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to City KIA of Greater Orlando (9550 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837). The contact was informed that since his vehicle was not serviced under a software update, they could service the vehicle under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Davenport, FL, USA
Follow up to complaint number 11446088 submitted on 1/3/2022 Car was taken to dealership on 12/18/2021 for check engine light with code P1326 and car entered a limp home mode that limited engine RPMs to 1800-2000 RPM. I received a call from dealership on 1/12/2022 informing me that car was ready for pickup. Picked up car on 1/13/2022, where invoice says the following: "77240 p1326 DTC 39250fln/39250rq0 check engine light on arrival, trouble code p1326. bearing clearance test was not able to be performed due to no tsb opened yet for this year make and model. opened a pwa case performed compression and leak down test passed. performed few test tech line required and came to a conclusion that engine replacement is not approved, knock sensor was approved under warranty vehicle will be shipped with no dcts over 2 drive cycles of 10 miles" Two notes: (1) it appears that the manufacturer informed dealership that it would not approve replacing the engine, despite the engine being under warranty, because no recall has yet been issued on the 2018 model year. (2) the dealership say they performed 2 drive cycles, each of at least 10 miles. This was not done, as shown on the mileage in/out readings on the attached invoice (see attached document, "06 - 2022-01-12 - Kia Carson - Invoice"). Attached are 8 documents for all the documents I have related to this problem: (1) NHTSA - Vehicle Complaint - 11446088 - 2022-01-03 (2) Kia Product Improvement Campaign Letter - 2021-11-16 (3) 01 - 2021-12-04 - Kia Carson - Workorder (4) 02 - 2021-12-04 - Kia Carson - Invoice (5) 03 - 2021-12-07 - Kia Carson - Workorder (6) 04 - 2021-12-07 - Kia Carson - Invoice (7) 05 - 2021-12-18 - Kia Carson - Workorder (8) 06 - 2022-01-12 - Kia Carson - Invoice Answers to questions above: (1) not available for inspection. I no longer possess vehicle (2) see complaint 11446088 (3) dealer confirmed problem, see 2022-01-12 invoice (4) yes, see 2022-01-12 invoice (5) see complaint 11446088
- Lomita, CA, USA
My engine blew it just hit 80,000 miles on the dot and since I-??m purchasing it threw Freedom Chevrolet Buick gmc by Ed Morse and not Kia directly my car cannot get fixed! I still owe a pretty penny and now I have no way of fixing when other Kia-??s have had the same issue with engine blowing I just would like my car fixed. My safety and my kids what put in danger when it decided to do this On a busy road!
- Celina, TX, USA
On 16 November 2021, Kia sent a letter for a Product Improvement Campaign to install software called "Knock Sensor Detection System" ("KSDS") on my 2018 Kia Soul Plus. The software update was installed on 4 December 2021. The 16 November letter noted that if KSDS detected a problem, the car would enter a limp home mode that limited engine RPMs to 1800-2000 RPM and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("check engine light") would blink continuously. On 17 December 2021, the check engine light started to blink continuously, and the engine RPMs never exceeded 2000 RPM. I took the car to the dealership on 18 December 2021. The car is not safely operable. The dealership told me that they needed technical assistance from the factory, which they have not yet received as of 3 January 2022. I'm reporting the issue because it appears to be related to the known engine manufacturing defects in Theta, Nu, and Gamma lines of engines, and that these issues persist beyond the 2011-2016 model years (for which a recall has already issued) and at least into the 2018 model year. Answers to questions: (1) powertrain/engine failure, possibly other system(s) (2) safety risk is known fire danger in Theta, Nu, and Gamma engines (3) dealer is currently diagnosing/confirming the issue (as of 1/3/22) (4) only dealer has inspected vehicle (as of 1/3/22) (5) no issues prior to 12/17/21, when Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("check engine light") started to blink continuously and engine RPMs were limited to 2000 RPM.
- Lomita, CA, USA
While driving to work my engine began to knock, my oil light flickered and went out, and then I completely lost power. I took my 2018 Kia soul to a local mechanic and he confirmed that my engine was blown and would need to be replaced with only 78,388 miles on my vehicle.
- Bland, VA, USA
2018 kia soul+ with 2.0l engine has developed a rod knock at 86k miles. Kia customer service was made aware of the issue and has refused to to repair the vehicle. According to a kid certified technician at a kia dealership, the issue is the same as other kia vehicles with a recall for, "connecting rod excessive wear". Customer service was made aware of these findings and still refuses to issue recall. Engine currently runs, but can not be run for very long or driven due to eminent risk of catastrophic engine failure.
- Keller, TX, USA
January 21st 2021, went to a dealership in miami and purchased a used Kia Soul plus. January 26th 2021, after leaving the post office car slowed down and came to a stop. Oil light was glitching prior to that day. Car was in drive and couldn't shift gears to park or neutral. Had to push the car into a parking lot and sit. Took to a Kia dealership and they replaced oil gasket. Took the car home few days driving to and from work. February 9th car broke down again while turning inside parking spot. Car battery light and oil pressure light was both on. Car went back to Kia dealership Thursday 11th. Kia looked at the car stating oil sludge was all inside the engine and repairs will cost $9,000. Used car is not under warranty.
- Boca Raton, FL, USA
Just bought car, 33,000 miles, was driving and transmission malfunctioned, internal mechanical damage
- Merced, CA, USA
The check engine light comes on with engine control systems as the cause of the issue I have had it to the dealer 5 times now. Still on for the 6th time now!!!! I was told that the recall would fix this and it has not
- Buffalo, NY, USA
I have a 2018 Kia Soul+ and recently there is a burning smell coming from the car especially when the A/C is on. I took my car to the dealer regarding the problem, but was told that they did not see anything wrong or smell anything burning on the car. The problem happens mostly while driving on the highway. I'm afraid that the car is going to catch on fire. The car also loses power while driving ex. I can be driving 60 miles and all of a sudden the car starts to decrease in speed and you have to rave up the car to get it going again. Not good at all.
- Bridgeport, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to towbin Kia located at 260 N gibson rd, henderson, nv 89014, 702) 567-8000, 4 times to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced twice. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,269.
- Pahrump, NV, USA
My check engine light came on and every time I took it in for service I was told I used bad gas and to change the gas. I was even told the computer on my car needed to be updated and until then the check engine light would come on and may not go out. My car stopped in the middle of the street and wouldn't move.
- Ft Myers, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. While the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked, lost power, and the power assist warning indicator illuminated. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to weseloh Kia carlsbad (5331 paseo del norte, carlsbad, ca 92008, (760) 208-2237) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred multiple times. The contact referenced NHTSA id number: 10162049. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer provided case number: (xxx), but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100. Consumer stated clutch system was slipping and was replaced. Dealership would not replace the transmission. Manufacturer case number (xxx) ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- Marcos, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 35 mph and making a turn, the vehicle stalled and the steering lost power. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to jim click Kia (866-376-4307, located at 775 w wetmore rd, tucson, AZ 85705), but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the consumer support acceleration team. The contact called Kia motors America at 949-468-4800 (located at 111 peters canyon rd, irvine, ca 92606) and was provided case number: 13283232. The dealer stated that they could not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
- Pikesville, MD, USA