This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle continued to lose motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs and O2 sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact researched and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which was repaired on the vehicle in 2021. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
While driving vehicle speed becomes disrupted and inconsistent regardless of pressure on accelerator. Engine rods are knocking and dealer determined that a new engine is needed. Kia was contacted by dealer as this is the same problem as other engine models in this Kia manufacture year but Kia denied request to replace as a defective engine.
The recall #19V120 States that engine damage may occur do to this recall & that in that case KIA would repair the engine at no cost to me. My car has the same engine damage that they refer to & also has recall open. I took to a KIA dealer & they confirmed that the engine has a bad connecting rod but like stated can happen but KIA will not cover it because recall was not performed soon enough. They state in their recall information that this is what can happen & that it is inclusive of the recall but then say they will not cover? I'm confused. Is this acceptable for Recalls. Then they do not understand why people do not want to take their time to take a car back in for a recall because its just a waste of your time & then the dealer wants to upsell you on something they say they saw when perfoming the recall.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change; however, the contact stated that after the oil change was performed; while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal pop underneath the hood and then the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the contact was informed by the technician of an engine oil leak that was unmentioned at the time of the oil change. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the mileage was over the warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 129,890.
- Utica, NY, USA
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Engine bad sound. Engine knocking noise. No crash was issued. The strange sound appeared one day and engine seems to have inside damage for unknown reason.
In December 2022, my 2013 KIA Soul was broken into. There was a trend on tik tok showing how easy it was to break into KIA AND HYUNDAI. My Kia Soul was in the shop for over a month getting fixed. While driving home on I-95 the Kia Soul broke down, it shut off and had to be towed back to the shop. When the shop called back and told me what the issue was, they said the engine was done. I looked up on the recall website seeing if the engine was on the recall list, it said it was not. There are 4 Kia Soul engines on the list but mine is not. I contacted Kia about the issue, they said since I am not the 1st owner, the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty was a void. I only got 5 years 50,000 miles. How are customers getting new engines with the same issue & this Soul isn't
The 2.0 engine of the Kia 2013 Soul seems to have to same problem as the Kia 2013 Soul with the 1.4 engine which was recall due to the crankshaft teeth getting damaged and engine get damaged due to the same recall of the 1.4 engine. 2.0 engine should also be added to the recall. Puts the drivers at risk of death as it can catch on fire like the 1.4 engine. Vehicle was expected by a mechanic after the engine light came on and described the same as the 1.4 engine recall.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair and the engine replacement due to the warranty being expired. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, her check engine light would appeared on the instrument panel. The contact then received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000(Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the recall was serviced; however, the check engine soon after the recall repair. While driving at 55 MPH, a fellow motorist flagged the contact down to alert her that a fire had started from underneath the vehicle. The flame had died out once the contact pulled over and exited the vehicle. The contact suffered no injuries and a fire report was not filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle towed to her home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no further assistance. The vehicle had yet to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.
Took car to dealership for a safety recall. After picking up the car the engine light was on, I immediately called them and was told to take car back. after two weeks of checking my car, they call and tell me that it's the catalyctic converter was faulty. this same dealership had fixed that catalyctic converter recall previously. now they want me to pay to have it fixed.
Catalytic converter is going out. Although apparently there was no recall for MY car in particular but there has been a recall for the converter overheating and damaging the engine. Car no longer goes over 40 mph; meaning I can no longer use the freeway. Oil light comes on at least twice a month. Even after a oil change It comes right back on. Check engine light never goes off. Piston Rod is damaged which then contributes to a oil leak. This has been happening over a 6 month time span. I call myself fixing one thing then something else more detrimental breaks.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving and making turns, the vehicle made abnormal popping sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the flex coupler was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was making abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer completed an oil change and serviced the fuel system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was excessive clearance in the rod bearing. The dealer replaced the short block and all gaskets; however, the failure persisted. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) as the catalytic converter was never replaced under the recall. The dealer informed the contact that she would be charged for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Vehicle traveled down I-65 normal cruising. Had a check engine light illuminated. Code pulled as a P0420 diagnosed for Catalytic Converter. Because of this code, the oxygen sensors eventually went out. Sensors were replaced. Two months later the code for O2 sensors being bad came again. Vehicle was seen by another driver on right side with flames showing under the engine while driving. From there, a noise was heard, seen later as a hole made in the bottom of the cast iron block. Vehicle was pulled to the side of the road. I had gotten out to pop the hood, where white smoke was fuming from. Then I seen flames arise and grabbed all personal belongings fearing the worst (explosion). Flames simmered down after 1 hour passed. Engine was not started but with a hole in the bottom, fear of a rod being slung is scary.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption and was making abnormal knocking sounds intermittently while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned on the hazards lights and exited the highway. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact then pushed the vehicle to a gas station with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 113,956.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed with a rod bearing knock. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and overheated. Additionally, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved an unknown fault code. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
My 2013 Kia Soul was diagnosed with engine failure. My mechanic stated no trouble codes, all fluids full. No diagnostic codes at all. At above 30 mph my vehicle blows black smoke. My mechanic found Kia TSB 222 Excessive Oil Consumption. He wrote up that he warned me not to drive vehicle and have towed to KIA dealer. Contacted KIA dealer and was told my vehicle not covered as I was second owner. The vehicle had 105302 miles when I bought it in May 2021 and currently has 112446 as of today. There is a class action lawsuit pending on these issues. It shouldn't matter who the owner is when an engine fails because of defective workmanship. KIA is aware of this specific problem and are doing everything they can to NOT make it right by the consumer. This recall should encompass all vehicles with the defect. This is not some recall for a window seal that falls out. This renders the vehicle completely useless and valuable only as scrap. Imagine all the people who did everything right and now have no vehicle due to an issue over which they had no control.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sarasota, FL, USA