10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 4,880 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 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was completing a U-turn, and the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard however, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact came to a complete stop while approaching a red light; after the light turned green, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle responded and was driven to the destination. The following day the contact-??s wife attempted to drive the vehicle; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine light warning illuminated. The following day, the check engine warning light illuminated again while the contact was driving, and the vehicle stalled. The contact towed the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 46,500.
- Orlando, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and was assisted in pushing the vehicle to a safe location, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Vicksburg, MS, USA
The engine in my 2021 Kia Soul has been experiencing serious performance issues that align with Recall SC336. The vehicle frequently exhibits erratic RPM fluctuations while idling, and on multiple occasions, it's completely shut down while stopped at traffic lights or in traffic. When this happens, the vehicle does not restart immediately, leaving me stranded / creating a safety risk. I reported this issue to an authorized Kia dealership, but they refused to perform proper diagnostic tests related to the recall. Instead, they blamed a clogged air filter as the cause of the stalling. This explanation does not make sense. Why the Dealership-??s Explanation is Incorrect: 1. A clogged air filter does NOT cause sudden stalling at idle or failure to restart. If an air filter were completely clogged, the engine would lose power under acceleration, not stall at idle. The engine requires very little air at idle, so a dirty filter would cause gradual power loss, not sudden shutdowns. 2. My symptoms match Recall SC336, which involves piston oil ring failure. Erratic RPMs, stalling, and failure to restart are all signs of compression loss or internal engine damage. 3. The dealership is refusing to conduct recall-related tests. I requested a PNSS (Piston Noise Sensing System) test and an oil consumption test, but the dealership refused. Instead, they tried to charge me for an air filter replacement, ignoring possible recall-related failure. Safety Risks: The vehicle stalls at stoplights and in traffic, increasing crash risk. The car fails to restart immediately after shutting down, leaving me stranded. Inspection Status: The vehicle is at the dealership, but they have not inspected it for recall-related failures. Kia Corporate was contacted but supported the dealership-??s incorrect assessment. Warning Signs Before Failure: Erratic RPM fluctuations at idle began before the first shutdown. Check Engine Light was on but cleared but cleared by the dealership.
- Shalimar, FL, USA
I am experiencing a serious safety issue with my 2021 Kia Soul. My vehicle is consuming excessive oil, which should not be happening under normal operating conditions. The check engine light is on, and while driving, the car suddenly shuts off and displays the battery symbol before losing power completely. This has happened multiple times, creating a dangerous situation where my vehicle loses power unexpectedly on the road. I took my car to a mechanic, who confirmed that the engine is consuming oil at an abnormal rate. The mechanic also informed me that there is a known recall on certain 2021-2023 Kia Soul models due to defective piston oil rings, which can cause excessive oil consumption, engine failure, and even fires. However, when I contacted Kia-??s customer service and provided my VIN, they stated that my vehicle is not included in the recall, despite exhibiting the same symptoms. This is a serious safety hazard, as my vehicle is at risk of sudden engine failure while in motion. Kia has issued recalls for similar models, but my specific VIN has been excluded, even though I am experiencing the exact same defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue further to determine whether more vehicles should be included in the recall before this defect leads to accidents or injuries. I am available to provide further documentation, including inspection reports, oil consumption records, and any additional information needed.
- Pinellas Park, FL, USA
ON WAY TO WORK MY CAR STALLED ENTERING HIGHWAY TOOK CAR IN TO GET CHECKED THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT..IT NEEDED OIL CHANGE.THAT WAS APPRO. 60000 MILKES...THEN JULY 2024 EXITING HIGHWAY IT STALLED AGAIN I HAD TO RESTART HAD IT CHECKED IT WAS ABOUT 72000 MILES THEY SAID SAME THING. THEN IN SEPT OF 24 IT STALLED AGAIN DAY AFTER OIL CHANGE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. i TOOK IN AGAIN THEY SAID ITS THE OIL PISTON RINGS SAID MY ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED AND ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. sO NOW ITS 8000 OR MORE MONEY TO REPLACE ENGINE. i HAVE KNOCKING SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONEONE IS THROWING JACK AROUND CAR...
- New London, OH, USA
Consistent oil burning of about one quart per 1,000 MI I think an exact number would be.8 per 1000 occasional misfiring and stalling presumably due to improperly heat treated piston rings like other recalls
- Lagrange , ME, USA
Engine failure of the 1.6 liter turbocharged GDI engine at 102,670 miles. Engine light went on while driving back on the Atlantic City Expressway and engine lost power reduced to 45MPH. Had car towed to dealer and was told the engine was no longer usable and had to be replaced. KIA engines are failing at an alarming rate and a recent recall of the same year KIA Soul is in effect. My KIA engine is not the recalled engine but my failure was pretty much the same as the 2.0 Liter engine. I think an investigation of my 1.6 liter turbo GDI should be made as well.
- Pine Hill, NJ, USA
Engine does not work properly. It is loud and car shakes. Dealership had me do maintenance and did not fix the problem. Rear windshield wiper pours out fluid and turns on with no reason. They say there is a short however it turns on and blocks my rear window view every while just driving, or using my turn signal, I have to mess with the switch while driving to finally get it to stop.
- Riverview , FL, USA
We were going south on [XXX] about 25 mph intending to make a left turn onto [XXX] My wife said -??slow down or you won-??t make the turn-?? to which I replied -??I am trying but it won-??t slow down-?? As I applied the brakes to slow down to turn, instead the car started to speed up and I could not make the left turn. I continued down the road trying to slow down enough to attempt a left turn on to [XXX] But the car continued to go even faster, so I pumped the brakes trying to slow down and get the car to stop. Instead, the car kept speeding up faster. In seeing I was close to the end of the dead-end road I swerved to the right to avoid the parked Train cars at the end of the road only to crash into the corner of a building which stopped us. At which time I was rendered unconscious. Something caused the car to speed up excessively and the brakes were unresponsive and should be available for further inspections. Not being able to physically get the car under control put the safety of my wife, myself, and others at risk. In researching I have found that this problem has been reproduced in real time and experienced by multiple others in recent years. Our insurance company has had the cars EDR data inspected although further inspection is warranted. There were no prior warnings or symptoms of this problem until the above incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Seymour, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that during a routine inspection, the contact became aware that the oil level was low. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that a more comprehensive diagnostic test was needed to confirm the cause of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine); to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
- Victorville, CA, USA
Engine stopped on the highway and was found with no oil. Probably due to oil over consumption.
- Stephens City, VA, USA
1.) We were driving to Nashville and once my car got around 70,000 mile my check engine light came on. Then my car started to make a humming noise. We pulled over to check the oil the oil was fine. Once we got back into the car and left the gas station the light started to blink. Yes 2.) We were on the highway, and if the engine could have blown up or we could've got stuck on the way there and back. Also, the where the car started to act up was around a bad neighborhood. 3.) Yes 4.) Yes 5.) The car started to hum but once my car hit 70,000 miles the check engine light came on and started to flash.
- Mayfield, KY, USA
Week of July 22, 2021: - initial problem started with pulling into a slightly sloped driveway and car engine dying even though clutch down and braking. Acted as though clutch not pressed down. - running errands around town. When I initially started driving in first gear, very jerky (like I didn-??t know how to drive stick). Lots of stop and go and continued driving this way. Heading home, when I let foot off gas, car died. I would have to start, while trying to come to stop. If I had to stop, I had to keep foot on accelerator so it wouldn-??t die. When I started driving again, loss of power-so much that I had to make sure traffic totally clear if having to cross traffic. Every once in a while, while shifting, I could hear something loud in engine. - Immediately contacted Kia to get in for service-??soonest available appointment is August 8, 2024. They had me check oil and barely any on dipstick. Car has only 23,750 miles. They told me that -??it-??s not unusual to have to put a quart of oil in every 1,000 miles-??. Red flag to me-??seems very excessive to need to do that on this new of a car. The service advisor also told me that it-??s also not unusual to not have a warning light come on for low oil. I put in two quarts of what was used during last oil change and what is recommended - Mobil 1 5W20 full synthetic. When I started car, actually sounded worse and now the Check Engine light is on. The car is too dangerous to drive so called Kia Roadside Assistance and had it towed to dealer. Not sure when they will get to it to be able to determine problem but I am without transportation. Purchased an extended warranty when I bought the car - you think I should have a loaner. Seems like lots of Kia Soul owners having same issue.
- Wichita, KS, USA
I was travelling on [XXX] in highland Indiana when my engine stopped powering my car and I heard knocking inside. I smelled like and saw smoke everywhere INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crown Point, IN, USA
Our vehicle is burning 1 to 2 quarts of oil every 1 thousand miles. They say this is normal but it seems excessive. I'm afraid the engine is going to die while driving it. This is dangerous and needs to be looked into. I'm not the only one with this issue.
- Janesville, WI, USA
The vehicle experiences a complete loss of power when slowing to a stop before it powers off on its own. The car powers off while going down the road. The car experiences partial loss of power while on cruise control and the car will slow to nearly stopped. The immediate loss of power puts myself and others at risk as the car is now stopping unexpected on the highway. I have left numerous voicemails for service managers at the dealership it was purchased brand-new from 2 years ago. They have not reached out to me. I had an appointment at their dealership to have the car inspected to see if this was covered with my warranty and they explained my warranty was only 60k miles and my car is now at 65k miles. The car was shutting off and having power loss a week before the first indicator light came on, which was the engine light. The code pulled for that sensor was the P0171 sensor which measures air in the fuel system and it stated "bank 1 running lean". I have now taken the car to a local shop and they are advising there was no oil in the car and there are metal shards in the valves in the engine. Werner KIA is the only shop that has ever worked on my car or changed the oil and they have not advised me of any oil leaks at all.
- Boston, GA, USA
My engine is completely gone! I-??ve been having issues with my oil since I-??ve got the car and when I check my oil it-??s almost always empty it-??s a oil leak in the car and it-??s not leaking on the ground it-??s going elsewhere! A lot of mechanics have told me the same thing! I get my oil change every time it-??s required.
- Shreveport, LA, USA
Just driving to the Mall, when at a Red light the engine service started flashing...Next day took it to Jiffy Lube to have them check, and they said it's the Engine...
- Crest Hill, IL, USA
For years I have been experiencing the vehicle stalling, shutting off while driving, smelling oil burning and oil is disappearing which has me going to get an oil change every 1000 miles. Low oil light has never came on even when oil reservoir has been bone dry. My safety is jeopardized every time I drive this vehicle. This issue has been addressed to service center and they state according to Kia the excessive oil leak is -??normal-?? and it-??s not with any other vehicle. Also the service center does not know why oil is leaking or where oil is leaking which is a major concern. I no longer have free oil changes because I have used them all up due to multiple services for oil changes. Mind you I bought the car new in 2021.
- Antioch , CA, USA
- Shalimar, FL, USA