Events around Red Kia Soul 2019 Engine failure. Feb. 13, 2013: Appointment for a diagnostic testing at Kia Willobrook, not simply an “oil change.” I get my oil changes done regularly near home. I brought it to Kia because it was something more than that.

Confirmation Code: X07NOYJYSC Date and Time: Jan 31, 2023 9:45:00 AM Vehicle: 2019 KIA SOUL VIN: KNDJX3AA5K7656553 Advisor: Victor Varela Arrangement: Dropping off vehicle at the dealership

Repair Services: Other (Not sure what to pick) Concern • the car not accelerating and when it does it makes a noise the car will need to be a drop off .

Since then, no issues at all except some small oil stains – this is over 4 months – nothing dramatic. Then on 06-27-23 at 6:00 pm I was in the parking lot near Green Line Station in River Forest, waiting to pick up my wife. I was waiting with the car running. She joined me in the car, just as we are leaving the parking lot the oil light comes on: We said, “Lets go straight to Jiffy Lube.” Then after about 60 seconds the engine light came on: and then we pulled to the curb and then the battery light came on. And the car locked up. This entire scenario took about 90 seconds maximum from first warning light to the car locking up.

We called the tow company. Jonathan Lopez of NOBS towing (708) 488-8300, came and noted there was oil on the road under our car and then on the back of his tow truck bed after pulling the car on. He was taking pictures of this and I am trying to get those pictures. He towed the car to Lake and Thatcher Auto Repair. They can describe what they saw- here is what they documented and told me: “checked oil – found engine has no oil. Remove lower engine shield, found oil plug laying in cover.” They replaced the oil plug with a new one and filled it with new oil, hoping it would start, but it did not start.

I called Kai Berwyn and explained the entire situation and they were very nice and accommodating and said they hear this a lot with this car. She told me to have it towed to Kia Willowbrook because it had recently been seen there and that if under 60,000 miles it should be covered by a warranty. I called Kia Willowbrook – also very nice and also said they have heard of this problem a lot and they said to; have it towed there and they would have a look at it as soon as possible.

I asked them what they think happened, and they said “the oil plug was loose and gradually became dislodged from engine vibration until it just fell out and then all the oil rushed out quickly.” They also said this is common and they see it a lot. It is their standard to always record the torque strength needed to secure the oil plug when they change the oil to document how tight it is.

I called Kai Berwyn and explained the entire situation and they were very nice and accommodating and said they hear this a lot with this car. She told me to have it towed to Kia Willowbrook because it had recently been seen there and that if under 60,000 miles it should be covered by warranty. I called Kia Willowbrook – also very nice and told them what had occurred as explained above and they said to have it towed and they would have a look at it as soon as possible. The service manager said there was no evidence of a leak. He asked if there was oil in my driveway – there is: This picture is my driveway taken 06-29-23:

The most consistent explanation is from whether changes hot/cold expanding/shrinking or engine vibration or hitting a pothole or structural design issue or whatever the oil plug loosened and then finally fell out dumping the remaining oil quickly out. It should be covered because there is nothing I or anyone else could have done to anticipate this or prevent it from happening.

Apparently this happens a lot and is a fundamental problem with Kia’s, not the fault of the person changing the oil, even when tightened according to specifications it still comes loose. This is from the NHTSA:: “…. In multiple tests the oil drain plug was tightened according to factory specifications and documented. Yet the oil drain plugs fells out in multiple instances as long as thousands of miles after the service. In those cases, the crankcase drained completely….” https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2022/hyundai-oil-leak-problems.shtml Hyundai oil drain plug fell out, Kia oil drain plug fell out Hyundai oil drain plug fell out, Kia oil drain plug fell out National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launches investigation into Hyundai and Kia drain plugs falling out after oil change In October 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it had launched an investigation into Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motor Company for problems with their oil pans. Specifically, consumers and aftermarket service facilities have filed complaints with for oil drain plugs that fall out of the oil pan after service. In multiple tests the oil drain plug was tightened according to factory specifications and documented. Yet the oil drain plugs fells out in multiple instances as long as thousands of miles after the service. In those cases, the crankcase drained completely.

What causes the Hyundai and Kia drain plugs to fall out? The testing and investigations appear to show that the oil drain plans are made with thin metal and the drain plug mounting port is poorly reinforced. In addition, the oil pan is coated with a thick paint coating the bonds the gasket to the pan, so the gasket does not come off when the drain plug is removed. That alone is not what’s causing the drain plug to fall out, but it is a factor in the chain of events. Apparently, the thin metal, along with engine vibrations and expansion/contraction tend to loosen the drain plug without any other intervention. NHTSA is investigating this as a factory defect issue.