10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 0 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.
2019 Kia Soul with 63900 miles fan control switch overheating causing harness to turn black. Failure of Ac due to this defect. The Ac Control unit was replace under warranty because of a fan control swith failer in the past. The vehicle is unsafe when these controls are used because of the current going through the switch appears to be to much for the swith to handle. We took the vehicle to the Dealer and they stated that the electronics and wiring is only covered for 5 years 60,000 miles. However, the part was last replaced by the dealer under warranty so this would be the 2nd switch assembly. We contacted Kia Corporate and they advised us to bring the car into the Dealer to have them diagnose the issue. The dealer contacted us and stated that the wiring harness will need to be replaced as well as the Ac Control unit. There was no warnings that this switch was failing again other than the Ac no longer worked.
- Seekonk, MA, USA
This happened July 8th, 2022. I was 2 hours away from home. I was driving on the highway and the vehicle shut-off. Before the car shut off, I heard a knocking sound. I got the car started, it went a few miles, and shut off again. It did this several times. It never over -heated. The oil light and check engine light came on once after the failure, and abruptly went off. The car did not start again. My son had to push the vehicle off the highway. I did an oil check and it was extremely low. I had my car towed to the local Kia dealership. The mechanic there said my Kia Soul had a rod hanging. He also said I needed a new engine that would cost $6701.01. I was told that someone else had just brought a Kia in with the same problem. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure to alert me of any engine problems like low oil or overheating.
- Smackover, AR, USA
There was no warning! Kia does not inform their customers that there is no security system on the car. The back doors do not alarm when opened and ignition can be bypassed in seconds many cars are stolen and they have not alerted customers to the problem
- Scandia , MN, USA
The dash had a electrical burn smell then smoke started coming out. There were children in the car. Unsure if the dash was on fire we stopped and started removing the area the smoke was coming from. The knob that controls the fan speed for the heat/ac had burnt and melted the plug the sensor to the knob as well as inside the back of the knob. We immediately unplugged it to prevent further damage or fire. After checking the internet I saw many forums stating the fan would only blow if they fiddle with the knob between setting 3 & 4 which is how mine started. Also on this panel is the plug to the light for the passenger airbag. This is my main source of transportation and a very dangerous situation. I took it back to the dealership where I bought it brand new in 2019 and was informed it-??s my problem and my responsibility to pay for this electrical issue. Giving other people are having the same problem I believe it should be looked into before someone-??s car catches on fire. This is a manufacturing problem as it-??s obviously something I could not have done and too many other complaints. I mentioned to the service man perhaps maybe it should be reported and looked into as a recall issue and was informed there-??s no way because he-??s never heard of anyone else having this problem or seen this before. I explained perhaps they just haven-??t brought theirs in or reported it yet or they simple don-??t know that-??s the problem and this is the result. This is very dangerous please look into it. I am unsure if there was ever a small fire or it just became so hot it melted and we happened to smell and see the smoke.
- Port Clinton , OH, USA
Seat belts do not lock in place when braking, but randomly lock in place while cruising. Severe electric discharge from vehicle, as well as power surges causing lights to burn out repeatedly.
- Nutley, NJ, USA
- Hartford, CT, USA