9.9
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 286 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.
Unknown, my car has been burning through oil every 1000 miles and is starting to seize as I-??m driving which is super dangerous! I have kept up with my car on oil changes and everything else that is recommended.
- Youngstown , OH, USA
I dropped my car off yesterday and they stated that it did in fact need a new engine. My problem is how come the dealership won-??t provide a loaner!? They are telling me that they are unsure when they can get it fixed! People need to go to work!! How can you expect a customer to be ok with this! I-??m going to be forced to drive this car! This is completely ridiculous and unsatisfactory!
- Moss Point, MS, USA
I've had issues with my air conditioner not working properly and now making a loud humming sound. Also my car is very sluggish and my motor is very loud when the car is running. Sometimes it doesn't want to shift exactly when it should it takes longer and I have to take my foot off the gas to let it shift. My car keeps running out of oil every time before the designated oil change time and mileage. This really worries me and no lights show on my dash when my oil pressure gets low which is alarming because it got low one time and I could hear the pistols rubbing together, I knew immediately I needed oil. Sure enough I put oil in the car the noise stopped and I went and got an oil change the next day because I was worried about my car. The oil issue has happened multiple times..
- New Iberia, LA, USA
Shortly after purchase (8/2/23) I began noticing a persistent engine rattle between regular oil changes. This escalated to stalling issues, including on the highway and at intersections and around sharp curves. I brought the car in for service multiple times, and although a part was replaced, the symptoms soon returned. On one occasion, the vehicle stalled while being driven by your service advisor, who confirmed it was -??critically low-?? on oil-?"despite no dashboard warning, no visible leaks, and adherence to routine oil changes every 3,000 miles. Since that point, I followed all diagnostic procedures requested of me, including multiple oil consumption tests that required me to repeatedly take time off work. These tests produced inconsistent results: at times oil levels were acceptable, but shortly after, the same symptoms would return. At approximately 80,000 miles, a case was finally opened for suspected oil consumption, and I was told my concerns were valid and would be honored-?"even beyond the 100,000-mile warranty mark due to early documentation. Now, at 90,000 miles, I have been informed that the latest oil consumption is -??within acceptable range, -?? and that no further action will be taken. Meanwhile, I am left with a car that unpredictably stalls from unindicated low oil levels-?"a serious and unsafe condition that has gone unresolved for the majority of my ownership. The lack of dashboard alerts means this issue places myself and others at risk each time I drive. To be clear, this is not just an inconvenience; it is a matter of safety and reliability. The engine has likely suffered long-term damage from prolonged oil starvation. I should not have to manually check the dipstick before every trip in a vehicle that is less than four years old and still under warranty. Moreover, I was never made aware of this issue at the time of sale (9/6/21).
- Mount Vernon, IN, USA
I am writing to formally report an engine failure in my 2022 Kia Soul, which I believe is directly related to the known engine defects that have prompted Kia to issue multiple recalls for this model and others with the same powertrain. Although my vehicle is not currently included in any active recall campaigns, it is exhibiting the exact symptoms and failure conditions outlined in Recall SC147 / SC200 (or similar recall numbers involving engine defects in Kia Souls and related models). Specifically, the vehicle has experienced: engine knocking, excessive oil consumption, and stalled while driving, which led to the diagnosis that the engine requires full replacement. The vehicle has been maintained according to the manufacturer-??s recommended service schedule and has not been subject to any misuse or neglect. The failure appears to be consistent with the design or manufacturing defect that has affected a significant number of Kia engines, particularly those with the Theta II or Nu engines. This situation presents a serious safety concern, especially given the potential for the engine to seize while driving. It is also a substantial financial burden to bear for an issue that Kia has already acknowledged as systemic in other vehicles. I am respectfully requesting the following: 1.That my vehicle-??s case be formally investigated for inclusion in any current or future recall campaigns. 2.That Kia offer coverage for the full cost of engine replacement under warranty or a goodwill repair program. 3.That the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration take this complaint under advisement as part of a broader pattern of engine-related failures. I have attached a service estimate that supports my claim. I would appreciate a prompt response and resolution to this matter, as the vehicle is currently inoperable and presents an ongoing hardship.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
I bought my 2022 KIA Soul September 2021. in 2022, I brought my car to KIA in Clifton NJ because it shut down suddenly without warning while in drive, the battery, oil and engine lights came on. I would put my car in park, turn it off and on again for the car to start. by doing so, all the lights disappear and my car would drive like normal. KIA said the couldn't find the issue. I brought it back to KIA again in October of 2024 because my car did the very same thing as it did in 2022. Once again, KIA stated they couldn't find the issue. March 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, 2025, my car started shutting down on me every 10 minutes while in drive, my car would then start reversing while in drive and the breaks would become very stiff. In order for my car to stop, I had to put my car in park, turn it completely off and then on again for it to drive. My car is now at KIA dealership in Clifton NJ, once again, they keep telling me they don't know what's wrong with my car. I am afraid I may get on the highway with my car and get into a terrible accident and thats when they will find the issue. I am afraid for my daughter and my life at this point. I am now driving a rental that KIA refuse to pay for until they figure out the issue. I was told, they would only pay for a rental if the issue is covered under my warranty. I have been complaining about this issue to KIA since year 2022 and nothing has been resolved. I need help resoling this issue with KIA, I called corporate and they were no help.
- West Orange , NJ, USA
Unknown when I get shut off and it give me signal with engine and I bring it to Kia dealer and found out that my 2022 Kia Soul had pin in cvvt broken and replace exhaust cam and cvvt assembly and its cost me almost 3000 dollar to fix and I had it as 2022 and purchased by chevelote and it was not coverage by warranty but I bought it was 18,000 mileage and now I am at 64525 mileage and I had only less than 2 year to drive that car so "?? anything that canbe on recall or warranty for those Kia Soul"
- Hollister, MO, USA
2022 kia soul, engine failed on the highway interstate. was traveling on [XXX] at 70mph and I slowed down due to an accident infant of me and went to accelerate again and my car shut down. and thats is when my engine failed. This is not safe at all. Took three weeks to get fixed car was only t 61,000 miles also head gasket was leaking at the time they found. But plenty of oil and jut had an oil change the week prior. Then a week after my engine replacement my starter went out. Kia corporate did not help with any warranty and the dealership are responsible for any types of warranty and they won-??t grant a good will warranty. So kia is an awful car manufacturer. Something needs to be done. And kia is not inspecting why my engine failed or why m starter went bad at only 61,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Covington, GA, USA
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I am writing to notify you of the problems I have experienced with my (2022, KIA, SOUL, VIN - [XXX] ) and to request that you kindly check in on this problem within thirty (30) days of your receipt of this letter. I purchased my vehicle from (REED NISSAN OF CLERMONT) on or about [XXX]. Approximately (3 MONTHS) I began having trouble with (WITH THE ENGINE BURNING A LOT OF OIL AND HAD TO PUT OIL IN IT IN BETWEEN CHANGES, which I have had a 2015 kia soul so I was used to this). I have taken my vehicle for the proper amount of oil changes on 12/12/23(first oil change and the oil was black when I went), 1/30/24, 4/8/24, 5/28/24, 7/20/24, and 10/8/24. On the last oil change my car was about 60,284 miles and they found a small oil leak at that point they told me to call kia that it should be under warranty. Kia said there was nothing they could do. While I was trying to figure out what to do and continuing to check my oil which stayed at good levels my engine failed on the highway at 61,104 miles. This is not a very old engine to be failing and kia motors are known to do this. As, of now I know there is no known recalls, but there have been for all other kia souls in the previous years. I would like an investigation into the failure of my engine. This problem of the failure of my engine has cost me $9,826.55 and being the second owner of this vehicle I had no warranty past the 60,000-mile warranty(which I was not aware of until I called kia) and since I feel the problem existed before I even purchased this car I would like my case to be considered under a warranty or some help from KIA. I also feel the car was not inspected properly before being sold as a certified used car. Please contact me on receipt of this letter at the above email or telephone number to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for you to have an opportunity to discuss what can be done to help make this right. Attached are the auto shop car eng INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
- Covington, GA, USA
9000 miles muffler failed, 12000 miles spark plugs cracked and was told it was sparking hot and could catch on fire, 13000 miles fuel injectors clogged with carbon, on going fuel smell in oil and shakes in idle with a/c
- Port St Lucie, FL, USA
1. Car was getting great gas milage 33 in town and 41 on highway. Suddenly, could barely get 28 - 31 regardless of circumstance; then, .... 2, Car kept shutting off automatically when driving, to include when making a left hand turn that nearly got us broadsided when it stalled. Nearby mechanic adjusted fuel mixture and kind enough to test drive. Stated to expect engine light to turn back on, but wouldn't shut down. Able to get to KIA dealership whom looked at, got engine light off but stated that the light would most likely come back on in the morning when started again. It did. Took it back to the dealership again. Note check engine light twice which should have a code. 3. Happened a third time, KIA stated reached out to manufacturer whom had them tear down certain parts and clean. (Associate stated same happened to their KIA and same repair). Working better. Check engine light again. Tried to tell me no code. Not possible with check engine light on. 4. Happened again. Can feel the car start to chug/sputter. Took to shop. Tried something else before I put on the road for about 1,200 miles. Milage improved to about 36/37 on highway 29 in town. However, when I went to return home it shut off as I was fastening seatbelt and placing purse. Mileage immediately stated 9 to 12 to 14. With the chugging detectable. Took an easy 50-100 miles before chugging settled and milage began to climb but not beyond 29-30 mpg. Next tank, rolled 50 feet to edge of gas station and average miles per gallon suddenly stated 50 mpg. Seemed to state averaging 46/47 mpg highway. In town is now dropping. Makes no sense whatsoever as to the variance in gas milage. These people want to keep my car for 5 days leaving me with no car, to pay for the parts they put into the car as they ATTEMPT to figure out the issue. I have heard gas and fuel somehow mixing, had to tear things apart and fix, fuel mixture automatically adjusts, the issue is with the tripometer device..
- Aurora, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle to correct the failure. The contact related the failure to the STOP/START feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
- Schenectady, NY, USA
I was entering I 24 east toward Nashville on March 3 2024 @5p. As car entered the freeway. The engine stopped. Engine light turned on pulled over on shoulder. Put in park and tried to start but would not turn over. There was still full battery power according to dash board. I had two minor incidents two weeks prior. Entering store parking lots. Engine died a low speed. 5-10 miles an hour. Vehicle did restart at those incidents without problem s at regular speed before March 3 rd incident. KIA mechanic said might be cam gear shaft malfunction.. sensors" Belt"
- Altoona, IA, USA
- Springfield, VA, USA