9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$7,530
Average Mileage:
98,700 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (2 reports)
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problem #2

Jun 292023

Soul 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,800 miles

On 5/31/2018 at 99,778 miles - I had service completed on my vehicle. Oil Change and some other repairs at the Kia dealer service department in Layton Utah.

On 6/29/2023 at 102,800 miles, the engine started making a horrible knocking sound. I immediately pulled over to a gas station. On checking the oil, found that there was no oil reading on the dipstick, totally dry. Added about 4.5 quarts of oil and carefully drove back home. Parked the car. About a week later, I towed the car (using another car and a tow strap) to a trusted mechanic for diagnosis. They said that the engine would need to be replaced due to internal damage. It still started, but I am assured by an independent mechanic and the dealer that the engine will fail completely and needs replaced. Quoted $6k to $11K.

IN MY (and mechanics) OPPINION: The internal oil consumption problem - that KIA knows about (see TSB's) - reared up after the oil change and the engine became permanently damaged as a result.

Looking for other owners with similar failures - reach me on telegram @ACNUT801

- Andrew C., Clearfield, UT, US

problem #1

Jul 202022

Soul 1.6L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,600 miles

click to see larger images

catastrophic engine failure catastrophic engine failure

My car had regular maintenance done consistently but the motor still blew…

I scheduled my oil change that morning since it was due, but then as I’m driving I heard what I thought was a knocking sound but I didn’t think much of it since it was just now time to get the oil change done and the oil light hadn’t come on or anything… I just assumed it was something in the road I had ran over so I drove the remaining 5 minutes home and as I pull in my driveway the check engine light comes on and “ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM: possible engine condition. Schedule service” displayed on the radio screen…

So I then a few days later I had it towed to the Kia dealership nearest me, only for them to tell me that if I cannot produce copies of EVERY single maintenance record for the last 4 years (since I bought the car) they won’t honor my warranty that I paid $3k extra for and it would be $7,600 to replace it… so needless to say I’m extremely unhappy with my experience dealing with Kia… and I will not be purchasing another Kia… EVER AGAIN…

I then called all the local mechanic shops around me and received quotes of:

$7,522.00 $8,200.00 $6,400.00

The worst part is, Kia knows about the excessive oil consumption of their engines (a lawsuit was filed against Kia/Hyundai for it and for the damage to the engine due to low oil levels caused by excessive oil consumption but unfortunately, it was dismissed by a judge due to lack of evidence)!!!

I personally believe Kia doesn't want to take responsibility for the faulty engines and having to replace them (1.6L engines) since they’ve recently (last few years) had massive recalls for the 2.0L and 2.4L engines as well.

My car: 2018 Kia Soul Base Engine: Gamma 1.6L 4cyl

- C E., Leland, NC, US