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.
I was driving down the interstate on my way to work when my check engine light turned on and began flashing rapidly. I then began to get over to the shoulder and into safety when I heard what sounded like a loud dropping sound come from the engine and smoke started coming out of the hood. When I got pulled over to the shoulder, I ran and popped my hood and saw that the whole battery was on fire, within minutes the whole car was engulfed and I was told to get back for my safety by someone that stopped.
Car was being driven on a neighborhood street at 25 mph a block and a half from home. The car just stopped. The electric system still worked but there was no engine activity whatsoever. There were no warning lamps or sounds prior to this event. The oil had been changed a week prior to this happening. Evidently from reading various reports online of the same type of events happening to other owners, it seems this is a known engine issue for multiple models of Kia cars. The car had to be towed to a garage where it was inspected and diagnostics were run. Dianostics determined: "found metal beneath valve cover and camshaft damaged due to apparent lack of oiling - no compression present." This car had approximately 150k miles on it and was a 2010 Kia Soul ! 4.2 0L 1975CC FI GAS N 2 model. The repair fix is a complete engine replacement at a cost of 5-6 THOUSAND dollars. Insane.
The contact owned a 2010 Kia Soul. While driving at low speeds, a loud noise was detected from the vehicle and multiple unknown warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the high beam headlights illuminated automatically. The contact also noticed smoke, which led to fire, under the hood. The local fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The contact also mentioned that when the vehicle was turned off and the key was removed from the ignition, the engine continued to rev. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local body shop and then towed to the vehicle's insurance company. The contact mentioned that the insurance company towed the vehicle to another unknown location where the vehicle was considered a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The transmission stops shifting after 3rd or 4th gear on the highway. It shift hard and not right from take off. Something is very wrong with the transmission.
- Akron, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Wiring connector connected to the radiator fan assembly melted. I had replaced the radiator fan assembly a year earlier to its failure. Upon the repair shop I took my car to calling the dealer, it was mentioned this is a common problem by the dealer. The melting of this connector caused the engine to start over heating and the A/C to no longer cool. Dealer mentioned that the connector is not available and it would take replacing the whole electrical harness. The car only has about 65,000 miles on it.
My 2010 Kia Soul is ceasing and locking up on me and my engine is shutting off. It has done this five times. I documented twice. When I took it to the dealer, I was told to recreate it. I can't believe someone would say this. When I turn right the wheel will turn left and it will stiffen and shutt off. I almost crashed 5 times. 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Soul. On two occasions, the wheels locked and the vehicle stalled. The contact also mentioned that the battery failed after one year. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer, they only offered to recharge the battery. A day later, the battery failed. The authorized dealer did not replace the battery and the contact had the battery replaced. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 10V388000 (electrical system), but the vehicle continued to stall. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers who were unable to diagnose the failure correctly to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
I own a pre-owned 2010 Kia Soul! with approximately 47K miles, clear title and no accidents. On Sunday 12/29/13 my car experienced sua (sudden unintended acceleration). I was driving approximately 35 mph, approaching a rotary, when my car suddenly accelerated on its own. The rpms spiked up to 4000-5000 and my car lunged forward and the engine was racing very loudly. I had to pump the brakes multiple times to decelerate and bring the car to a complete stop. This incident is now the 4-5th time I have experienced sudden acceleration (within 1 year), usually happening between the 35-45mph range. The car will accelerate on its own (even if I've been at a complete stop, it will jump forward with rpms running abnormally high) and I'll have to press on the brakes significantly. I brought the car to lev Kia in framingham MA where they ran a diagnostic test (12/30/13) and apparently found no recorded "trouble codes" and said they had never heard of this problem before and there is nothing they can do about it if they cannot recreate the incident. With some minimal research online, I was able to find other Kia owners reporting the same issue, including another 2010 Kia Soul that resulted in a severe accident due to the speed control. This is obviously not a secluded incident and further research must be done. I feel unsafe driving my Kia Soul!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wichita , KS, USA