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.
check engine light came on the evening of 3/08/2023. Auto zone said it was a knock sensor code and was listed as a recall. Next morning while driving on highway to ft Wayne Kia dealership my car engine lost rpm while driving at 65 mph on i-69 chapel exit in ft Wayne indiana. The car engine compartment almost immediately ignited into flames with an explosion. Driver barely got out before fire was in the dash. The front interior dash and front seat areas were caught on fire. Shrapnel blown from car started a grass fire as well. The fire department arrived to get both fires under control. My car was still under warranty at 108 months and 89,000 miles. Never had any problem with my Soul until that next day after light came on. I was not notified of the recalls except only recently received an airbag recall on 3/30/2023. I have contacted Kia to file a claim with them.
i was driving home and noticed my gas mileage rapidly going down. (before when i filled up i used to get 408 miles till -€œE-€ then got 380) so i knew sowmthing was starting to go wrong. then, my engine light started flashing. i got my catalytic converters replaced but i-€™m still losing gas mileage bad and engine ticking.
I have did a diagnosis on the car and it-€™s coming back to the catalytic converter, the gas in my car is draining out like crazy it-€™s like i-€™m putting in so much just for it to run out. The RPMs won-€™t go up when suppose to. The seems like it-€™s trying so hard to switch in and out of gears
While driving on the highway, my car blew a puff of smoke, and I was no longer able to accelerate higher than 15 mph. I had to stop and get my vehicle towed to the local Kia Dealership because my vehicle was inoperable. The dealership told me that DTC P0420 was triggered and that I would need a catalytic converter replacement, exhaust flex pipe replacement, and a new drive belt. There is a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000) for the exact issue I experienced and my vehicle falls in the category of MY2012-MY2016 Kia Soul with a 1.6 liter engine, but the dealership is stating that my vehicle is not part of the recall population and it will cost $3,000 to fix this known issue. This is unacceptable and the recall population needs to be expanded.
A loud bang was heard while driving approx. 35 MPH on a clear day. The vehicle lost all power, smoke started coming from the hood area and the cabin began to fill with smoke. Driver pulled over, opened the hood and discovered the entire engine compartment in was engulfed in flames. Passersby tried to extinguish the flame with fire extinguishers, but it kept reigniting. The fire department arrived and put out the flames. This could have been life threatening if the driver did not get out of the vehicle. Amica Insurance's claims processors and an independent forensic investigator engaged by Amica Insurance have concluded the engine fire was the result of catastrophic engine failure. The forensic investigator noticed an outward bump in the oil pan and indicated this was likely the result of a separation of crankshaft and or piston rod elements. The investigator indicated he sees about 10 of these engine fires each month. Kia's special unit that addresses their engine fire problem has been notified and are dragging their feet. We have not heard anything from them after filing a claim on or about 3/22/2022. There were no warning signs prior to this catastrophic failure event. Gauges and warning systems were all normal. The engine and the engine compartment are a complete loss. Other damage occurred as the fire department worked to extinguish the fire. The forensic investigator and Amica's claims processor have declared the car a total loss.
- Temecila, CA, USA
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I am unaware of what is able to be inspected of the vehicle at this time due to the amount of damage. My own and other drivers-€™ safety was at risk when my car began smoking and eventually caught fire. Nothing has been reproduced, inspected, or confirmed by any manufacturer, dealer, or independent contractor. I had my car in park for 2 hours before I began my trip. When I started the car up in the parking lot, the engine ran for about 10 minutes before I left. Within 2 miles of driving, the check engine light came on and the engine started smoking. I pulled the car over as soon as I could do so safely, put the car in park, turned off the ignition, and evacuated the vehicle. Soon after, the car ignited into flames under the hood and I called 911. The fire department extinguished the fire and reported to me that it was an electrical fire.
While driving at 15-20 mph, the engine started knocking loudly, smoked a little and died. There were NO warning lights or messages. There were NO previous symptoms, the car had been running fine and the oil and water had been checked 3 days prior. My car had never leaked or burned oil. I was able to restart it, the knocking was very loud. I was a couple miles from home so I slowly drove it home stopping 3-4 times to allow it to cool. At home I checked the oil and all had drained out except what was still dripping out underneath. A mechanic friend added oil and started it, it still knocked loudly and he thought a rod and/or rod bearing were bad. I parked it not knowing what to do yet. A little over 2 months later I was notified of recall 20V750, SC200. This was during covid. Between end of Jan 2021 (when notified) and Nov 2021, I had been quarantined 4 times and had lost my job so I couldn't afford to tow to the dealer. When I did, Nov 22,21 the dealer would not honor the recall because an update on the KSDS on the ECU was not done. The recall letter said they would do the update and repairs. I researched all letters from Kia to their dealers, other owners and NHTSA. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS or conditions regarding this. ALL information states the update will be done with recall repairs, there is no time limit given (other than an offer to recieve a free Visa with update that expired 11-15-21), and suggests to do it asap. Even letters to dealer had 2 Q&A letters, each had a question if there were any restrictions on owners, the answer is no on both letters. There are NO restrictions regarding the updated ECU, the warrenty, or condition of the car. Kia DOES give the dealers instructions for cars that are towed in, if stored, if they start, if they crank. Each of these INCLUDE updating the KSDS, again making the excuse I was given false. There was NO reason the update could not be done and my car repaired PER KIA'S instructions to dealers and recall owners.
The front of the car started to smoke (black smoke coming from under the hood) while driving on a highway and caught fire within one minute. The safety of the driver was at risk. He barely had enough time to get out of the car before the whole front of the car burst into flames. The driver had to call 911. The FDNY put the fire out with NYPD present. The fire was so big that there was nothing left to inspect after FDNY put the fire out. This was a total loss and insurance accepted the photos without physically inspecting the car. The car began to sound like it was running on diesel and lost power shortly before the smoke. No other obvious warnings or signs were noted.
One day it was fine, drove to louisville ky from lexington ky and noticed sporadic, weird shifting which seemed very off, shifting at the wrong time I had grown accustomed to for the previous 6 years on the way back home car would not go over 55-60 mph and to try and force it to downshift only made the engine rev extremely high and noisy with no forward motion, car acted as though it wanted to just quit altogether, and from that point on its been bogging down like a giant sat on the hood upon pushing the accelerator to get more speed, and upon backing off 9F the accelerator pedal the loud revving noise eased up and car seemed to recover somewhat until the next acceleration...the car has hesitated, engine idle is, for the most part, ok, but 55-60 is as fast as it will go unless going downhill, then I can 65 mph until the next time it needs to go up an incline then it shows to 40-45 with obvious stress trying to maintain a certain speed.
While driving at 55mph, white smoke began pouring from rear of vehicle from under car and exhaust. All warning lights came on we got the car to the side of the highway and it stalled and would not restart, was told by local dealer a new engine was needed. All of these symptoms are covered under the recall and service bulletins, please help this is our only vehicle and we can't afford the new engine that should be covered, thank you.
My car has been burning oil in an abnormal rate. It begin at the beginning of 2020. I always took my car for recommend maintenance to the Kia of carson in California. Now about every month I have to top off the oil. An estimate of less than 600 miles per month. Sometimes when I am at a light the car will shake a bit. Also if I use the ac the car will shake a bit as well it did not do that before. If am driving I don't feel that shakes. The first time that I noticed something was going on I was at stop light and my car shaked and felt like it was going to turn off. After that it shakes if am too long at a light but not too hard.
Loses acceleration going uphill. Knocks and rattles when car is turned on. Previous car was a sorento and did the same. Shut off on me in the middle of the freeway with my children and myself in it. Felt like the engine fell out from underneath the vehicle. I seeing the beginning phases of the same issue with my Soul. Im scared that this car will not only shut off on me while driving on the freeway but that it may cost me my life if someone were to rearend me when my car loses power to an issue no one seems to know what the problem may be. There should be a recall on all Kia engines and is poor manufacturing. Major issues with this brand of car is the electrical, engine and that it sucks up so much oil without warning.
Check inline light is on and it keeps reading catholic converter and it won't go off I switched my gas from 87 to 93 and did a fuel treatment and at times it won't go over 35 miles per hour and the check engine light keeps flashing and my gas runs out fast I've gotten a tune up done and a oil change
Everytime I fill up my gas tank my fuel meter will go below empty and will blink that I am out of gas. After about a day or so it will go back to normal. I have talked to a few other Kia Soul owners and they all have the same exact issue. I am wondering if this is getting looked into and investigated.
After multiple attempts at the shop, the Kia has been burning oil. There is no smoke or leaks. A compression test was not done at the original inspection of the car, and there is no oil in the car after about 500 miles. This engine has been burning oil since 85000 miles and there is "nothing" that Kia can do for our issue. Thus, in line with other complaints about this issue there should be something done for the engine replacement. This is a known issue for the other engines, but the 2.0L engine is not under recall....yet. This is a very serious issue and a general consumer should not have to monitor oil consumption of an engine at 60-80K miles. There is something wrong with the engines and it could be a real concern for safety.
The vehicle shut off while I was driving, I had to push it off the road, the problem is a fuel leak, other Kia Souls are currently on recall for the same reason but this plus model isn't so it's sitting in my drive way while I pay over $400 a month for the vehicle ! recall this dangerous vehicle ! this is a defect in the Kia/Hyundai engines
While driving at speed limit, 75mph, the car starting losing power and started to shake, then it sped up again and leveled out. Once I reached the nearest gas station, in park, it was shaking and rattling. I was able to get the car to my mechanic and upon his inspection, found a hole in the piston. I contacted the local Kia dealership and was told they could replace the engine for $9000. I had informed that there may be a recall, so I asked the dealership and was told no. They did not ask for a VIN or anything.
Everytime I fill up my gas tank my fuel meter will go below empty and will blink that I am out of gas. After about a day or so it will go back to normal. This has happened since I bought he car. I have talked to a few other Kia Soul owners and they all have the same exact issue. I am wondering if this is getting looked into and investigated.
Vehicle rendered inoperable due to a thrown rod. Engine connecting rod failure. Vehicle was in motion at approximately 55 mph and without warning popped and failed. The vehicle wouldn't run correctly afterward and required a tow.
I took the car into Kia dealership in cape coral, fl. Engine light on. The car kept stalling and would lose all power while driving. I wanted service done on it and all recalls fixed. They fixed recalls and put a new catalytic converter in it to solve the engine from stalling and lose power. They told me the car was fixed. I picked it up and drove it on the hwy and it stalled at 75mph and totally had nothing and had to maneuver the car off the hwy with my grand kids in the car. I managed to get it started to get it home and it stalled again at all the stop signs and was almost T-boned from the side. It happens when the converter heats up and the fuel is not feed into engine right. It was towed back to Kia and they told me the engine has metal shavings in the oil from the convert getting hot. I cant believe they let me drive this car off the lot knowing that there is a recall # SC176... I almost got killed with my family in the car. I spoke with corporate and they refuse to help me even though the recall exists!! I was hung up on during the conversation with a Consumer Affairs mgr. Named kayla... she told me the car is out of warranty and I would have to pay for a new engine! recall# SC176!! I need help! the car is still at the dealership since my family was in the car when it kept dying on the road and we almost was killed or in a very serious accident. Kia is not honoring SC176 even though it states on my invoice that the car needs a new engine because of the converter failure. Its printed on the invoice with the work that was done on it. Engine light is still active and the car sits. I took the car into Kia to service it and all they did was the oil change w metal....and converter recall. But it was to late the damage has been done from the recalls overheating. They say its not throwing the right code for a new engine so they wont fix it. I talked to 3 people.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Indianapolis, IN, USA