10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 46
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,365 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2014 Kia Soul engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 5 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #363

Oct 242021

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Catalytic converter was replaced on 10/27/21 as well as Logic update. After driving the car 53 miles it got hot and started smoking and now the head gasket is blown. No warning lights came on except the temp went to Hot. Dealer says they won-€™t replace the engine.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #362

Oct 152021

Soul

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was at a stop light, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The power train warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while driving the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle was misfiring and that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to local dealer and was diagnosed with loss of pressure on cylinder #3. The PSI pressure was five. There was an indication of the vehicle leaking and burning engine oil. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #361

Oct 272021

Soul

  • miles
I took my 2014 Kia Soul into the dealer to have them do the 2 open recalls on the car, the one to update the knock sensor logic detection system and they also replaced the catalytic converter. 2 days later after picking up the car & only driving it 50 miles, the engine blew (head gasket blew) and it overheated all the way & there was white smoke coming out and the oil was milky. The dealer said that I would not be getting a new engine (like the recall said) and that I could have the had the head gasket replaced for around $1500 or that I could pay from $5000 to 8000 for a replacement engine. I feel really let down because it seems like the dealer acted in bad faith and didn't even contact Kia about providing me with a new engine. Before the engine blew, the KSLD system did nothing to alert us (because I think the engine was already messed up) Any help you can provide would be great. Thank you

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #360

Sep 152021

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine making knocking noise, car turns off while driving, it won't start sometimes, hard hesitates when gears change, I'm mostly concerned about it turning off while driving in a high way it happened three times already to me!

- Kendallville, IN, USA

problem #359

Aug 262021

Soul

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and would not go past 45 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, however, the vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the knock sensors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

- Greenville, MI, USA

problem #358

Sep 212021

Soul 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,400 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) on 9/21/2021. The contact called multiple local dealers and was informed the closest appointment was on 11/8/2021 to have recall repairs. The contact stated on 9/24/2021 while his daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to decelerate its speed and the brakes pedal was hard when depressing. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver stated she saw smoke exiting under the hood and then the vehicle accelerated independently while depressing on the brake pedal. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact towed the vehicle to local dealer on 9/37/2021, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The dealer informed he had a salvage title and Kia manufacturer declined to complete recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,400.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #357

Sep 302021

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When trying to accelerate the engine does not go into the next gear causing the speed to stay below 60 mph.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #356

Sep 012021

Soul

  • miles
Started experiencing engine issues around 100,000 miles/6 years with Kia Soul, including very sluggish acceleration, not shifting gears properly or when needed on Highway. A couple of different technicians/dealers looked at car and couldn-€™t figure it out. In June 2020 at 108,151 miles a Kia dealer/servicer determined the catalytic converter was the issue and needed replacement. Kia refused to provide a new one, as it was just outside the 6 year/100,000 mile warranty. Now in September 2021 the car is having the same problems and a Kia dealer/servicer determined the catalytic converter needs to be replaced AGAIN. Kia refused to replace, as they only give a 1 year warranty on the new one they put in June 2020 (doesn-€™t EPA require a 5 year warranty on new aftermarket catalytic converters?). Contacted Kia Consumer Affairs and have pending escalated claim for them to provide the catalytic converter this time. There is clearly something wrong with the engine that it is causing the catalytic converters to fail so soon. Seems very similar to the vehicles that were included in the $760 million Kia engine settlement.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #355

Aug 142021

Soul

  • 111,436 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact was uncertain if the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel prior to failure. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. After a week, the contact was informed that because the software update was not performed on the vehicle, the manufacturer would not approve the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 111,436.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #354

Aug 012021

Soul

  • miles
The engine started overheating when the vehicle reached over 150,000 miles. The oil in the car is burning rapidly. I have to check the engine oil daily and when on the freeway every hour because the oil is burning rapidly. When there is no oil the engine shuts down. The engine is overheating and I am afraid of an engine fire. I am constantly putting oil in the car because it is burning out rapidly. I am not sure why. There is a recall but I am not sure if I can get it because of the mileage on my car.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #353

Aug 142021

Soul

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter's boyfriend was driving approximately 70 MPH with her daughter in the passenger-€™s seat, when they noticed smoke in the rearview mirror. The driver checked around to see if the smoke was coming from another vehicle and determined that the smoke was coming the vehicle he was driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle and noticed fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished with the assistance of the Fire Department. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to the local dealer and repaired under an unknown recall. After retrieving the vehicle, the contact stated occasionally the low oil level warning light would illuminate. There were no injuries sustained. The contact did not know whether a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then it was towed to the dealer per the manufacturer's instructions. The nearest dealer declined to offer the any repairs or service on the vehicle since the vehicle was severely burned. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- North English, IA, USA

problem #352

Aug 172021

Soul

  • miles
Kia engine seized while driving. Check engine and check oil lights both flashed immediately before car engine failed. Car would not turn over but battery was still fully functional. It was immediately brought to a local repair shop where oil was cleared as a non factor in engine problems. I was also informed that the engine was completely seized and non operational. I contacted Kia Pride regarding engine issue and was informed that an inspection would need to be completed and would take 5-6weeks as they are having company wide issues with Kia engines.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #351

Aug 162021

Soul

  • miles
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, smoke started coming from the air vents then the vehicle was filled with smoke. The contact pulled over, exited the vehicle, and saw there was fire coming from under the hood. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was unaware if there was a fire department report filed. No medical attention was received for the contact and his wife, who was a passenger. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and will have the vehicle towed to an unknown dealer for diagnosis. The failure mileage was approximately 105,230.

- Oskaloosa, IA, USA

problem #350

Jul 012020

Soul

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving up an incline at various speeds, the vehicle would stall upon depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact also stated that the check oil light would illuminate on the instrument panel soon after an oil change. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Lansdowne, PA, USA

problem #349

Feb 052021

Soul

  • miles
Had knock sensors replaced twice and engine is still knocking. Been noticing in the news and media that these cars are catching on fire and the knock sensors were designed to go into limp mode so it doesn-€™t catch on fire and I-€™m stuck with it and can-€™t drive it anymore because it-€™s in limp mode. The check engine light is flashing for the knock sensors p1326. I need help with getting Kia to get this fixed. It-€™s not safe to drive on the road.

- Ormond Beach , FL, USA

problem #348

Jan 212021

Soul

  • 63,363 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer performed a recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). After, receiving the vehicle back from the dealer the oil warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and an engine test was performed and diagnosed that there was sludge in the engine from not having regular oil changes. The contact was informed that the oil needed to be changed every 2,000 miles, instead of every 3,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired since an appointment was not available until August 25, 2021. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,363.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #347

Jul 152021

Soul

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 mph. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Moline, IL, USA

problem #346

Sep 202018

Soul

  • miles
Banging in engine Consuming excessive amounts of oil Oil light flickering Check engine light on Loss of power Car shakes when idle Gas/ fuel odor Brought to mechanic, valves pistons replaced. Banging stopped other stated problems continue.

- Terryville, CT, USA

problem #345

Jun 282021

Soul

  • 238,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Another driver notified her that there was smoke coming from the vehicle. After the vehicle was stopped, the driver saw flames coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was notified of the fire and arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed away from the scene of the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The contact mentioned that previous to the fire there were several cylinder misfires. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the original engine had been replaced in 2018. The failure mileage was 238,000.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #344

May 152021

Soul

  • miles
My vehicle started driving really sluggish and slowing down from 55 to 35 when going up a hill. It felt like it wasn-€™t getting the gas to make it go. I looked it up and found this recall: 2014 Kia Soul; Manufacturer photo Vehicles Affected: Approximately 379,000 model-year 2012-16 Kia Soul hatchbacks equipped with 1.6-liter gas engines The Problem: High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine-€™s pistons as well as possible piston connecting rod failure. Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block, allowing engine oil to escape that may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. however I was told that my vehicle is a 2.0 liter engine and it-€™s under the recall! Drove my vehicle home after the Kia dealer told me I needed a catalytic converter, then my engine light started blinking, called Kia of America corporate to ask them and confirm it wasn-€™t under recall and they had me get it to the dealer and now the dealer said I need an engine!!! I don-€™t even have 130,000 miles on the vehicle! Just seems too coincidental that my vehicle has the same issues as the 1.6 liter engine Kia Soul does! Kia is also saying I-€™m completely responsible for repairs!

- Spartanburg , SC, USA

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