10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,823 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.

2019 Kia Soul engine problems

engine problem

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2019 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #33

Sep 212024

Soul

  • miles

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

There is white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. The car is running in distress. We changed the spark plugs because there was oil on the original spark plugs. We took the car to Auto Zone for engine diagnosis. Their tests report Ignition coil failure in the power train system.. They report cylinder 2 misfire detected. They also diagnosed that the left rear vehicle speed sensor failed in the anti-lock brake system.

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #32

Aug 082024

Soul

  • miles
I was driving home from work on the highway. The check engine light came on. I made a mental note to tell my son, who is a mechanic. The engine stalled out. I had enough momentum to take the exit from the highway and turn onto a side street before the car quit rolling. A helpful dog walker informed me that it wouldn't restart because it was on fire underneath. Luckily, superman drove by and put the fire out before the vehicle or even the engine were fully engulfed. My son & friend (also a mechanic) arrived and peered at the engine... their opinion was that oil on the catalytic converter started the fire. The car has been towed to their shop while I investigate my options.

- Grandview , MO, USA

problem #31

Jun 272024

Soul

  • miles
On [XXX], I was driving home from Tampa bay International Airport and noticed that I get less acceleration and my car shut off while driving and caused me to crash into a guardrail. Before accident, told Kia about my car shutting off and right when warrant ran out, parts would fail. Had to buy a sensor, alternator (70,000 miles). Also catalytic converter (81,000). Six months later after I bought alternator, alternator and battery (1 year old) died at the same time. I am lucky that this accident did not heart me or others. It could of happened in front of a truck. There were no warning lights on dash board. Seatbelt light was on even though I was wearing seatbelt. Brought car to Kia dealership and did least amount of checking. Had two independent mechanics look at it with one saying to be careful of Kias because they are the most in his shop. My insurance look at the vehicle. Vehicle is in Geico site in Sarasota, told me anyone can go and look at the car. Will attach Geico claim; if past maintenance records are needed let me know. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #30

Mar 142024

Soul

  • miles

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

Catalytic converter to be replaced at 94.000 miles following check engine light.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #29

Nov 242023

Soul

  • 136,779 miles
Last year my car started knocking and there was a smoldering smell. I expected Kia to consider the function of the rod knock sensor which caused P1326code. I advised capitol kia of both knocking noises and a significant burning smell. Per an extended warranty, if the rod bearings go bad, then the engine should be replaced. Capitol Kia avoided the latter and was not fully compliant with maintaining driver's safety. Only the rod knock sensor was replaced replaced, and the sensor shows bad rod bearings over and over and over ( 3 times ) Due to incompetence at Capitol Kia, Steven's Creek Kia checked on the second event and another RBCT was done to justify it's Kia's position that the rod bearings are functional. So Far, have been sent away twice, pending a now 3rd.. The sensor was replaced 3 weeks ago and I only drove the car two weeks before a new P1326 rod bearing code was shown just last week. Well knowing that the Rod Knock senor is designed to place the car into limp mode to circumvent catastrophe, it behooves the company, on behalf of consumer safety; and, integrity to NHTSA safety, to visually inspect the rod bearings to assure consumer confidence. This is especially after multiple rod knock sensor issues. Given that Rod bearing problems can cause catastrophic injury to the driver, the NHTSA needs to mandate the company to visually inspect the bearings and show the consumer pictorial evidence of a clearly unworn rod bearing per incident, after an initial knock sensor change. All evidence as such should be faithfully tracked by Kia and the NHTSA. This is especially as Kia is using a test to indicate normal functioning for bearings assumed to be among a lot of defective bearings. It follows logically that rod bearings which pass a RBCT ( Rod Bearing Clearance Test ), after a code is found, will be functioning just short of causing a catastrophic event. It should be noted that the warranty is to maintain consumer safety not to facilitate new events by default.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #28

Feb 132024

Soul

  • miles
Dct transmission, actuators. Design flaw. Electrical problems.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #27

Feb 032024

Soul

  • miles

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

Driving on the freeway car brakes don-??t work, first oil light blinking a very loud noise like metal scraping and all the lights turned on very dangerous situation was able to pulled over until car stopped. Kia dealer knows about all the problems car still under guaranty and they ignore the problem.

- Indian Trial , NC, USA

problem #26

Feb 132022

Soul

  • miles
UNKNOWN Car accident in 2022 that impacted the front and driver side of the vehicle. Air bags did not deploy as it was a pretty bad accident. The light of the air bag would be on stating that it was not on and then go off completely in different situations. Never once did I receive a letters from the manufacturer stating the recall.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #25

Jan 052024

Soul 4-cyl

  • miles
Engine failure fluid leek and wire burning smells engine burst into flames from the under carriage of the engine. The contact wants to see if there are any recalls and if so should the car be sold at msrp price.

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #24

Jan 132024

Soul

  • miles
Kia issued recall for update to knock detection system on vehicles equipped with certain GDI engines of which my vehicle was included. Following the update I noticed my engine had begun to consume oil at an excessive rate between oil changes and took in for service at dealership. They performed an oil consumption test and returned the vehicle to me stating that it fell within the perameters of normal oil consumption but was burning oil. On 10/20/23 the vehicles knock sensor detection system went off and vehicle was dropped off at the service center. Service Advisor infomred me of the flow chart procedure for the warranty process and did an update to the knock detection system, added oil and gave me the car back. A month later the car again went into limp mode and gave a code for knock detection sensor trigger. Went into service center, bearing clearance test was performed, vehicle passed, knock sensor replaced. Car was returned to me. Exactly one month later after routine oil change, vehicle is still excessively burning oil and car goes into limp mode again. The new knock sensor has triggered and vehicle enters into limp mode on the highway. Took the vehicle to the service depatment this time with an audible knock/rattle in the engine block with noticeable movement in the motor mount to which they now state is not connected to the oil consumption issue even though the vehicle was again low on oil when system was engaged. The vehicle has been consuming oil at a high rate of speed for over a year initiating the safety mechanisms on multiple occassions with the source of the issue being unresolved by the manufactuerer despite multiple documented attempts to intiated covereage under the warranty. Knock sesnor detection system has triggered multiple times with safety protocals being bypassed and faulty engine being returned to the highways putting other vehicles at risk. Currently have a case open with both Kia USA and our local Kia Dealership.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #23

Dec 122023

Soul

  • 35,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at a low rate of speed, an abnormal, burning odor began to emit from the vehicle. As the odor grew stronger, the contact's wife parked and exited the vehicle. Soon after exiting the vehicle, white smoke began to emit from underneath the hood and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The vehicle parked in front of the contact's vehicle sustained damage as a result of the fire. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location through the contact's insurance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was totaled as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #22

Nov 202023

Soul

  • 10,500 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30-?"40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 10,500.

- Jonesville, VA, USA

problem #21

Sep 022023

Soul

  • miles
I am burning through oil, adding approximately 1-2 qts a week. This, in addition to my regular oil changes that I do every 3-4,000 miles. I use a synthetic blend for high mileage. I was informed that the type of engine installed (Nu 2.0 GDI engine) is the reason for the car burning oil. Twice in the last 8 months, I went to get my oil changed and was informed that I had no oil. I have yet to see the oil pressure light illuminate on my dash when my oil has been that low. My oil changes average about $80 every 3 to 4000 miles. However, in addition to the cost of my oil change, I-??m having to add one to 2 quarts of oil averaging an extra $14 every week. This is starting to eat into my wallet and Kia needs to do something about their engines.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #20

Jul 282023

Soul

  • miles
I was driving my 2019 Kia soul when I heard a noise I as I was pulling into a parking lot to park and see what was going on the car just cut off. There were no warning lights or anything on the dashboard. I called the dealership where I got the car and got no response for a week, then finally the guy who sold me the car reached out. I told him I had the car towed to my house and that I needed to get it to the dealership for service, the dealership is in a different city 30 minutes away. I was told that somebody from service would reach out to me that never happened. So, another week goes by I get the car towed it sits at the dealership for two weeks and the finally tell me the engine needs to be replaced. This is a 2019 kia soul where routine maintenance was always done on time. I was given no reason for the engine failure just told it was out of warranty and I would have to pay $11,00 to replace it.

- Battle Creek, Mi, MI, USA

problem #19

Aug 072023

Soul

  • miles
The 2019 Kia soul is burning threw almost 2 quarts of oil a week now. It has been ran once just about to the point where there was no oil in the car. Never had a check engine light or low oil pressure light come on. The vehicle from boardman Kia.

- Mogadore, OH, USA

problem #18

Aug 162023

Soul

  • miles
unknown

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

problem #17

Jun 252023

Soul

  • miles
Engine control system is coming on. My engine is knocking and rattling my car will just cut off and steering will get really hard

- Detroit , MI, USA

problem #16

Jul 092023

Soul

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an unusual sound that came from the hood of the vehicle, and inadvertently, the smoke came from underneath the hood; however, the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure fits the same description as a safety recall for Kia Soul engines, in which this vehicle's VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Mcdonald, GA, USA

problem #15

Oct 122018

Soul

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger-??s side rear brake lights malfunctioned and were replaced on several occasions. While replacing the brake light bulbs, the contact discovered that the light bulb sockets were charred and melted. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #14

Oct 212022

Soul

  • 101,003 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed 4 quarts of oil within 3,000 miles. The contact pulled into a service station and added two quarts of oil to the vehicle and resumed driving; however, after driving approximately 20 miles, there was a loud banging sound and there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact veered to the side of the road and noticed that there was no engine oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The dealer submitted a goodwill request to the manufacturer; however, the request was denied. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Kia of Greer (14345 E Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer, SC 29651), where the same diagnostic information was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 101,003.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

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