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.
Right around kia announced catalytic converter recall issues with 2016 kia souls my car stopped running it was brought to a kia dealership where the muffler intake manifold was replaced for $3,000 and told it wasn't the catalytic converter despite having 90% of the listed "symptoms " of the recall.. a complaint was put in to you guys. An extended warranty Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter.was put on. A year later car Stopped again where i was told catalytic converter and even with replacing so much damage had been done most likely to engine since it was burning so much oil that it was a temporary fix. Only way i could sell it was to get it fixed though so another $2800 was spent to replace it. Yet all the issues i have with car are exactly what the recalls state. I feel the first dealership knew this and didnt want to eat the cost of labor. My car was kept there for a few days for them To diagnose and fix which ive never had happen maybe needed overnight but never for days unless a car was at a body shop. I believe the car issues and costs relate to Recall no. 19V120000 Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal cracking sound detected before the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear and pinion plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to offer any repair assistance. The failure mileage was 70,055.
The engine light is starting to appear more frequently this started about two years ago and every few months would appear and the oil would be a little low and more recently after oil changes... I had brought the car in late last year to check on the recall of the engine & mentioned concern... I was told everything was fine and this problem started occurring while before I reached 100,000 miles... I've been waiting over two weeks for an appointment and have one scheduled for July 14 which I made over two weeks ago when the problem occurred once again and I had my mother in the car 90 year old... I've been told by the Kia dealership that everything was good however it appears that this is put me in a situation that could be extremely dangerous if all the oil burns off or there are other issues similar to the below...Optima Hybrid, 2012 Sportage, 2012-?"2013 Sorento, and 2012-?"2013 Forte and Forte Koup with the 2.4-liter Theta II engine; and the 2014-?"2015 Forte, Forte Koup, and Soul with the 2.0-liter Nu engine. Kia will notify owners starting on January 27, 2021. Dealers will inspect the engine compartments of affected vehicles, make repairs, and potentially replace engines. Kia also intends to carry out a software update to add a Knock Sensor Detection System as soon as possible, and the NHTSA report states that Kia will provide 15-year/150,000-mile warranty coverage for engine repairs needed "due to connecting-rod bearing damage." Kia will also reimburse owners for any repair expenses already incurred related to the problem, NHTSA's report says...Just to recap we can't get an appointment till the 14th they're trying to squeeze me in earlier I'll know next Tuesday however I have just paid off my Kia after five years and was hoping to enjoy many more years... I'm very disappointed that the safety of the car and the drivers and the owners are not of the upmost importance Something should be done immediately for their loyal customers... Call [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while turning on the vehicle as well as while driving, an oil odor was detected, a knocking sound was heard, and the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of engine oil. The check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed an oil change and stated that the catalytic converter was faulty. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the dealer performed a recall for the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software update however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact stated that smoke was seen coming from under the hood while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that she needed to pay for the diagnostic and since the recall repair was not performed in 2018, the dealer was not responsible for the engine replacement under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine) for which the Vin was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 146,630.
Bought used Nov2020. June 2021 took for a long road trip. Daily car use is less than 10 miles a day. So a long road trip should be fine. Got regularly scheduled oil change 1 month before trip, according to them no major problems with vehicle to take long drive. Drove over 1200 miles in a weekend, oil light came on, the check engine light immediately after. Stopped at gas station to put oil in allow to cool. Not over heating but wanted to allow to cool. Turned on car, check engine light and oil light still on. Then it went pop and I was stranded. It wouldn-??t start.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle shuddered and loss motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving to the residence. An unknown warning light was illuminated when the vehicle was restarted. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine rod had fractured and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 59,600.
In 2020 Kia Motors America sent letters about a Product Improvement Campaign. This 'campaign" was intended to update software for a Knock Sensor System (KSDS) that detects vibrations indicating the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear in the engine. Per letter "The KSDS is designed to alert the vehicle driver AT AN EARLY stage of bearing wear BEFORE the occurrence of severe engine damage including engine failure". I never received this letter. I never knew that there was a severe issue with my car, my check engine lights never came on. I took my car in to Car Pros Kia in Huntington Beach a couple months ago for a transmission fluid change and they never told me anything was wrong or that this Product Improvement Campaign was available. On 6/1/2021 my car died out of nowhere. I took the car to KIA where they filed a claim for a new engine per the product improvement campaign but it was denied. Dan Boyer, supervisor from Kia Motors America Claims Department told me the deadline was 4/16/21. This date isn't on any letter they sent. After searching, I realized that these letters are available for the public to view. I realized that one letter from 3/21/2020 states in bold underlined format "We would, however, like to assure you that there is no immediate need to have this software update performed". Clearly this is incorrect information, getting this software update is CRUCIAL-your engine WILL be damaged if the rod bearings are damaged as mine was. Kia Motors expected me to bring my car, despite I never received a letter, I had no idea there was product improvement campaign surrounding this issue, and expected people to bring their car in for it in the middle of a pandemic. Now I can't go to work, my livelihood is at stake, and they want me to pay $6,000 out of pocket + any other fee associated without taking any responsibility on the matter. I'm seeking assistance in making things right, I'm looking for compensation, and awareness about this corporation.
Engine started knocking and stalled on the highway going 70mph, almost caused a major accident. Had it towed to local KIA Dealership. Although I was the second owner, and the car was over 5 years old and had 71,000 miles, KIA replaced the engine under warranty. Metallic debris was found in engine, probably causing failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle would shake and vibrated before the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
I have a 2016 Kia Soul, base model 1.6L. Attaching recall notice, as I do not know the number (there have been 2 that I know of) after receiving product improvement campaign notice dated 4/6/2021, I notified my Kia dealership in which I purchased the vehicle (7301 new lagrange rd, louisville ky 40222) and was told the next available appointment to do the recall update was 2 weeks from when I called, I asked if it was safe to drive since the recall is about engine fires and my engine light was on. I was told it would be fine, this was a "software update" but unfortunately, the rate at which my engine was burning oil, the day before my schedule recall appointment (5/11/21), my engine apparently blew while I was driving on the hwy. Prior to the smoke coming out the back, I heard clicking and then what seemed like something shooting out from the bottom of my car. The oil that I had put in (even though I was not due for an oil change) was leaking as they towed my Kia to the dealership. I did not hear back about my car until I reached out for the 3rd time Friday 5/14/21, where the tech told me I needed a replacement engine and Kia motors will not cover it, stating it was because "there is an open recall for my engine and I had not had the recall completed" I have opened a case with Kia customer affairs. Kia service center was unable to give me the date that the recall started.I do know that my car was serviced for a recall prior to this, 3/31/2020, in which there had been so much damage to the catalytic converter, it needed replaced. That was covered under the recall apparently, but for some reason this most recent recall is now showing that it is no longer open according to my VIN on the NHTSA website. So the dealership must have cleared it, but still claims it was not completed so that they are refusing to replace my engine, quoting me $6.3K should be covered 100%
While I was driving the engine died. I was able to restart and get home but the motor had a knocking sound. I took car to dealer, they said engine was bad and there were recalls on it. They did did some recall work but said the engine wasn't covered because I didn't get the recall work done sooner.
I was driving at 40mph and it stalled. I immediately pulled over and realized there was no oil in it.I walked two miles to walmart for oil. None of it leaked out. I recently had an oil change. The company that did the oil change found no leak and no responsibility. I filed with Kia and they denied a review after two attempts to have them fix my vehicle. No leak. No oil in the driveway. No excessive ware. Then Kia came out with the knock sensor and refuse to fix my vehicle still.
Vehicle had recall for exhaust too hot possible fire catalytic converter failure and rod end engine failure.the catalytic converter was replaced before recall and now 2yrs 10mo later has failed again?towed to dealership and my assumption was correct and catalytic converter bad again.now filed Kia complaint#14131010 and am waiting but spoke with service manager and waiting but pretty sure they're not going to cover even after failure of converter before and after their recall.I was driving on U.S.19 in Florida and vehicle just immediately failed with no power and no limp mode at approximately 4-5mph, was almost rear ended in a bad accident from this malfunctioning and what is said in Kia's words that limp mode would come on and vehicle could be driven at 1800-2200rpm and 65mph.not true more like 500rpm and 5mph.very dangerous possible deaths from this failure.
A few months ago car intermittently started bucking as if watery fuel or fuel depletion was occurring accompanied with a loud sound as of grinding metal. Check engine light would come on intermittently for a short while and then go off again. Braking and slowing would temporarily stop it until it recurred. With time those episodes grew more frequent. I consulted martin Kia of bowling green, ky from whom I bought the car whose service department seemed to offer no suggestion as to the defect. Two autozone stores tested the engine, one with with check engine light off and another with it on, and both tests agreed that the catalytic converter was malfunctioning. Tests at the above Kia dealer confirmed that finding and replaced the converter at a total cost of almost $1300 saying its 98000 miles was out of emissions warranty. Problem is, the intermittent bucking and grinding persists. Online I then read that this is likely a recall case already receiving 147 similar complaints and that some of these vehicles had been finally totally destroyed by an engine fires. It has become a fearful thing to drive it with that knowledge. What is your advised course foe a remedy?
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle began to make an abnormal knocking noise, a burning odor was detected as the vehicle began to lose power as several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and left the vehicle on the side of the road. The next day, the contact's fianc attempted to meet a tow truck driver at the scene where the vehicle was left; however, upon arrival, the vehicle was gone. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where they discovered that the vehicle was burned to ashes. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. A police report nor a fire report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was 66,186.
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated when they starting their vehicle, they heard a loud knocking noise coming from their engine. The contact called and had the vehicle towed to local dealer jeffrey automotive group ( 30800 gratiot ave, roseville, mi 48066 phone: (586) 296-1300 ) who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as metal fragments in the engine pan causing the knock sensor to be replaced. The local dealer replaced the engine, however two days after the vehicle was repaired the contact stated their husband was driving 70 mph and approaching highway exit, they notice black smoking coming from the front hood of the vehicle. The contacts husband was able to drive and pull into an empty parking lot and where the contact and her husband exit out of the vehicle and distance themselves from the vehicle where they saw fair amount of sparks and fire coming from the engine. The fire department did come out and extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. No medical treatment was need at the scene. No one was injured. The vehicle towed by the contact insurance provide where they inspect the vehicle stated the fire was caused by oil leak from the rear of the engine and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,312.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, a loud noise was present coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to boomer Kia located at 339 w interstate 240 service rd, Oklahoma city, ok 73139 who discovered that there was no oil in the engine. The contact indicated that the oil was recently changed prior to the failure. The dealer added oil to the engine however, days later the vehicle stalled and it was discovered again that there was no oil in the engine. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000. The VIN was not available.
Much like others on here, was driving normally when within moments, the car began to make a noise immediately followed by smoke. This car has had regular maintenance and is just over 100K miles. These engines are obviously suffering from the same problem as the 1.6 liter. Kia needs to recall these immediately.
Engine is comsuming too much oil too fast. Had oil changed recently and before it was time to get it changed again the oil light on the dashboard came on. Took car to place to where they changed the oil last time and they checked the oil and said the level wasn't even high enough to touch the dipstick. Car is not driven that much nor is it leaking oil. Tech said to see if there is a recal for this as he remembers there maybe being one.
While driving and accelerating. My car loses power and slows down. Blue smoke comes out of tailpipe and smells like oil. I have a 2016 Kia Soul. I have noticed where there were recalls for 2016 Kia Soul. My car has alot of these problems but I have not received information about a recall. Please let me know if my car is included in the recall. Thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Saint Charles , IL, USA