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.
Kia issued a recall for a software update. After having a Kia dealer install the software update my 2016 Kia Soul began experiencing engine stalling. This was immediately after leaving the dealership. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and they informed me that the catalytic converter was damaged, causing my issue. They are also claiming no error codes have been detected, even though my check engine light illuminated before and after the software update. My engine also had a knock before the software updated. The knock occurred during acceleration and deceleration. The dealership refuses to check for engine damage, even though the software recall states they will repair engine damage caused by the faulty software. There are also recalls on similar year Kia Soul vehicles that involve the faulty software and catalytic converter damage. This vehicle condition is dangerous and is going to get people injured or killed.
Upon parking my car I noticed the engine was on fire. Smoke and flames were coming from up under the hood. The car was declared a total loss by my insurance company and the fire was deemed electrical in nature.
Motor blew up at 73,000 miles Kia wouldn't up hold warranty so I bought a short block from Kia motors had it replaced and in less than 5 min oil light came on and new short block had already spun a bearing Kia wouldn't up hold warranty on new short block either so I had to junk a car I still owed over $12,000
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle loss power as the contact veered to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned the vehicle off waited for a few minutes, turned the vehicle back on which resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to ricart automotive group (4255 S. hamilton rd, groveport, oh 43125, (614) 836-5321) where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust manifold converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,665.
- Lancaster, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My car experienced a complete loss of power. Making it impossible to travel over 50 mph. No check engine light or code thrown. Brought to Kia dealership and after 3 weeks discovered the catalytic converter was clogged and melted. Replaced 90 days ago. Second is now destroyed and melted. Wants to install the third. Says motor is fine, not running rich or lean. Nothing they can do for me and they just have to keep up with this $3,000 repair every 3 months as it fails. Vehicle is completely unsafe to drive. Converter being clogged causes it to shut down on the highway. Kia says nothing they can do, just need to keep replacing the converter every few months. A converter rated to last 10+ years. Highly unusual. Spoke to other mechanics and they believed there was a recall on my converter for this reason but my bin shows no recall. Please help.
At about 50 mph on a main road the oil pressure light lighted up. Seconds later the engine got loud and spilled a lot of oil on the road. Lots of smoke came out of the engine compartment. The engine block had a huge hole. Luckily the oil fumes did not ignite as the engine was not to hot, because the drive just started some minutes before. With the car we bought a warranty extension and the insurance paid for the engine replacement. The cost of the engine replacement with a used engine was more than usd 8.000. While the car was at the garage we received a recall for a ksds software update to sensor an engine issue with excessive connecting rod bearing damage. Now Kia is not willing to implement the extended 120,000 mile engine warranty due to the ksds update for the connecting rod bearing damage issue to the swapped engine. Had extended E-mail communication with Kia about that. Kia claims the warranty is car age/mileage related, not engine related.
August 28, 2020 I recieved a letter from Kia corporate headquarters stating a recall on a 2014 - 2016 Kia Soul conducting software update on engine to protect the engine. Got that completed and several weeks later went back to the Kia dealership for an oil change, was asked did I give a good review for Kia and the guy appeared upsset, anywho after that oil change my Kia started to run slow and would not accerate to the normal speed or seems to stop. Ask a mechanic and said it sounds likke the catalytic converter. I look up information on Kia and there is a recall for catalytic converter, however, the dealership is checking for other things. How do I protect my car?
While driving on the freeway (70mph), the engine began to knock and shake the car. Then there was a bang, and several puffs of white smoke, and the car died. We had it towed to the shop, and they told us that a piston shot through the bottom of the engine block, and drained all the oil in the car. The entire engine would need to be replaced. Quoted cost to repair 9K for a used engine, 15K for a new engine. The car was well maintained, and serviced regularly. Consumer stated following codes from diagnostic P0326, P0014 P0303. Consumer statedmanufacturer could not do anything about.
2016 Kia Soul 2.0L serviced regularly running full synthetic. Oil changed 10/1/2020, on 10/19/2020 the oil was checked in the morning and full at that time, on Wednesday 10/21/20 check engine light came on - code was PO441 which is an evap issue, but car started knocking pretty bad while driving on the highway. Pulled into gas station immediately and checked the oil and the oil had disappeared completely, not even registering on the dip stick. Tried to add oil at this point but it was too late the engine had thrown a rod.
Last summer we were on vacation, driving from Texas to Kansas. While driving on the highway, we noticed that the engine started sounding like a diesel engine. I pulled over to the shoulder, shut the engine off and checked the oil. I noticed that we had spontaneously lost oil. No leaks or anything. We pulled into an auto parts store and purchased 3 quarts of 5W-20 synthetic castrol gtx synthetic oil, I added the oil and the rattling stopped. Now the engine again has done the same thing and now its in need of expensive repairs because the engine has a piston rod knock due to spontaneous oil loss.
I was on my into work and my vehicle started to slow done on the highway. I was told something popped out under neath my vehicle and the vehicle started to smoke. Some sort of a rod that must of came off. I had this towed to our company mechanic and they said that I might have to replace the whole engine.
Catilac converter. Kia refused to fix says not a recall. But 2017 Kia manufacturing says it's a recall and now my check engine light appears and that needs to be fixed
While driving my Kia Soul on a city road I pulled over to let a car pass. I was still in gear and once the car passed I went to pull back on to the road and the car would not move. I then noticed that it had stalled. We tried to start it again but it would not turn over. No leaking oil and the oil was full. I do a full synthetic oil change every 3-4000 miles. We then towed it to our Kia dealer. They said that the engine seized. After some research I found out about the recall for the engines and the problems. After 2 months they just informed me that it doesn't fit the recall. Even though the engine clearly falls within the parameters of the chronic problems.
Recall 19V120000; SC176 excessive oil consumption. Manufacturer will not honor warranty and is aware of problem. I am being told costs involved with this issue are not warranty and to be paid out of pocket despite known problem.
8/1/20 driving on hwy 231 at 65mph when my car felt like it was stalling, pulled over and turned engine off.it would crank but only go approximately 20 mph or rev to about 2000 RPM, then just putter out. At tuffys where it was said "nothing was coding". said needed knew fuel pump for $1600. That was replaced but was not the issue.he said there is an active recall associated w/ car and to get it to the local Kia dealership.I immediately started researching an found recall 19V120000, I called Kia 800# and was told there was no recall associated w/ car and that their search is VIN specific and was no active recalls on this car. I continued to research, called back and yes indeed there was a recall. Car arrived there Friday 8/7/20 at 9:30 am. Spoke w/ chuck and was not given any details though I called him daily.following Friday(8/14/20) I spoke w/ jared who said they wern't sure but it was looking like possibly a recall issue but that they weren't sure and to call back and they could get me set up w/ a rental car because the engine likely needed replacing. An hour and a half later a women left me a voicemail asking me to get receipts of all oil changes done on vehicle. I still had no explanation on what was wrong with my car.gave 2 receipts but was not really sure the pertinence if this was a manufacture recall. Kia says the only recall was for a system update. When asked him if this had been done he said no. But I had previously been told by robert at 1800 Kia that this had been done.I told jared this and he said "we probably just told tech support that" when I demanded to know if system update had been done he put me on hold, then replied '"oh well that was just done". he said but none of this has anything to do w/ ur car. When asked wtf the actal problem was he said engine was knocking due to my lack of maintenance and needed a new engine but in no way due to a recall
Was driving car and it lost power while on highway. Causing cars to swerve to avoid hitting me. After going to shop found out it was the catalytic converter. Car was also burning oil and misfiring. Had the 3 and 4 coil relpaced, spark plugs, but still not able to figure out what us causing oil to burn. Car had regular oil changes. Kia basically said that after I fix the coils car would be fine. Well it's not still doing the same thing. I was informed that it just needs a new engine. Kia has refused to honor warranty.
Engine loses oil without a leak or any external indication (smoke, smell, driver controls). It requires 1-2 quarts added between scheduled oil changes. This is a safety hazard as it can seize abruptly without notification. It is a clear design flaw.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Carrollton, OH, USA