8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
60,050 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. new engine (2 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Kia dealer.

problem #4

Apr 152024

Soul EX 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 20,505 miles

Engine knock and piston slap started occurring around 30,000km, in year 4 of the 5yr warranty. Took to dealer, found scoring on one cylinder. Kia offered complete engine replacement under warranty without any fight. Happy with this accommodation.

Oil changes occurred every 3,500km with conventional.

Kia/Hyundai engine issues have been ongoing for over a decade. This was known prior to buying the car, and it was intentionally leased for 4yrs as a no-risk "trial-run", paying close attention for symptoms.

It sounds like an issue with poor heat treatment of the piston rings. Apparently part numbers have been updated, but Kia/Hyundai also has said this on other engines for 10yrs. So take a grain of salt. I have no idea why they have so much trouble building reliable engines.

If they fix their engine issues, Kia/Hyundai is the best all around auto maker in the world. But an engine failure is a huge risk. So proceed accordingly.

- Manitoba M., Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #3

Jun 292023

Soul LX 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 191,000 miles

I have service records going back to the day that this car was BORN with oil changes, injectors, tires, all types of service records.. and this problem that the engine is rubbing the side of the cylinder or something like that. The dealer said there's no fix, just a new engine. I don't understand this at all!

- Chris L., Alvin, TX, US

problem #2

Sep 292022

Soul GT-Line 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,500 miles

Driving, normal conditions, engine would stall with no lights, no chimes like auto start/stop except I had to put in park and restart. Then while doing 20-25 accelerating on interstate rod knock starts. Then there was a sudden loud bang, smoking engine bay and every light is lit up and engine seized. Large cylinder sized hole in engine and oil pan. Kia has at dealership, but less than 12k miles and engine already gone... I'm worried I should just let them replace and trade it in and get a different car all together.

- Nathan B., ofallon, MO, US

problem #1

Jun 012021

Soul EX 2.0nu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

Engine failure - Kia and the dealer took five weeks to ship a remanufactured engine (someone else's junk) that delivers lower fuel economy.

Update from Aug 23, 2021: Now we are flashing transmission programming to assist the fuel economy issue.

- MJ F., Perryville, MD, US