7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
11,950 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
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2020 Kia Soul engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Kia Soul Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 292021

Soul

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

It went in for oil seal/engine check and 2 other recalls Monday - and this is Thursday. It died on me 3 times yesterday and 2 today and the second time i I tried to start it... it was clanging because there was no oil in my engine!!!

- Cynthia C.,

problem #5

Sep 242021

Soul GT-Line 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 18,874 miles

The engine died while in start/stop mode at intersection. Daughter was driving, had to figure out what was going on and then finally turned off car completely and turned it back on. Dealer (Huffines Kia in Corinth TX) couldn't duplicate the problem and didn't do anything. I've heard maybe this is the PCM that could need to be replaced? Worried it is going to happen again in an intersection, not safe at all... if it happens again, I'm going to have to find a different car for her, which is a shame since it's otherwise a great car.

- Bob H., Highland Village, US

problem #4

Aug 152020

Soul S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,217 miles

On 8/15/2020 I was stopped at a light, when I started to turn the corner. The car made a very loud noise and completely shut down. All the dash lights were on. The car behind me just missed hitting me by swerving right. I got the car to start back up. But the engine light stayed on and the start/stop is not working. Car is brand new. I will take it to Kia first thing 8/17/2020. Can not find any recalls. I see others are having problems also. I filed this with Kia Motors as well.

- Bunn B., Dover, PA, US

problem #3

Feb 022021

Soul S 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles

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

Motor blew up after 2 oil changes at the dealer at 9,000 miles. Took it back in after second oil change due to a tapping noise the motor had developed. Service Tec said it was the electronic fuel pump. I disagreed and said I would be back. 2 week later the motor blows up.

It has been 4 weeks now and Kia USA still cannot tell me when my motor will be replaced. I do have a rental car which helps but can not believe the poor customer service I am getting from Kia USA. I am 65 and have owned over 15 different brands of cars and Kia USA is the worst manufacture I have ever dealt with - if you are considering buying a Kia, run, do not walk away.

- Robert P., New Smyrna Beach, US

problem #2

Feb 152021

Soul

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,500 miles

I purchased my brand new 2020 Kia Soul at a Kia dealership in Orlando Florida in January 2020. The vehicle had 2500 miles on the clock. The day of the problem it had 8500. On February 15th at around 3.30 pm I stopped at a red light in my home town of New Smyrna Beach FL. My vehicle has a stop start feature so the vehicle's engine shuts off when coming to a full stop. When the light turned green I hit the gas and my car does not accelerate, my lights on the dashboard are out. It took me a minute to realize what the heck was going on. I'm in panic mode as cars behind are blowing their horns. The engine had totally closed down and did not kick back in. I had to put my car in park and turn the key to restart it, at which point my check engine light came on and stays on. I called the dealership in Daytona Beach from my car and told them what was going on. They asked if I could get there by 4 pm. At this point it was 3:45 and I told them I was 25 to 30 minutes away and I had to go home first to get my stuff. I went home turned off the car. When I restarted the car the check engine light was still on. I took a picture of the dashboard with the check engine light and sent it to my son because I wasn't sure what it was. I finally got to the dealership sometime after 4pm at which point I was told that all of Kia's systems were down and they didn't know when they could get a look at my car. I asked if they had a loaner car and they said that they were all out. After our conversation it was decided that my car was going to stay at the dealership and I was going to have to rent a car. That evening I called Kia Corporate to let them know exactly what was going on. That's when I found out that all of Kia's systems nationwide were down and there was nothing they could do at this point.

On February 17th I get a call from one of the Customer Service Reps saying that one of his Technicians was able to scan the system at which point the check engine light was not on and they couldn't find anything wrong with my car and he said I could come and pick it up. When I arrived the rep said he drove my car for 36 miles and again, couldn't find anything wrong with it. After we spoke I read the report and I noticed the information was incorrect. The Service Department had written, The vehicle shut off then turned back on. I told him that's not correct. The car didn't turn back on and that I, in the middle of traffic, had to put the car into park and turn the key to restart the engine. He said that was the same thing. I'm like, "No it's not".

Today is February 22nd and Kia's systems, nationwide are still down, The dealership called today for me to come in tomorrow to have them hook my car up to a Kia tablet. I asked the guy on the phone if they could change the wording on the report too because it's not correct. He said he wasn't able to do that because once the ticket is closed they aren't able make any alterations.

Right now I'm stinking mad, I have brand new car, still under warranty that I can't rely on. It's not my fault that their systems went down and they couldn't deal with this in a timely manner. I'm not rolling in dough and would like to be reimbursed for my rental car. None of this is my fault. If I could make this go away I would. If I could make this car go away and have my old Honda Civic back I would.

- Marion H., New Smyrna Beach, FL, US

problem #1

Jul 082020

Soul LX 2,0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

Purchased this 2020 KIA SOUL in Feb. and have have issues with the thing shutting off when I come to a stop light. Have to put back in park and try a few times to get it to restart. Finally the dealer says the pcm, aka computer brain is bad and has to be replaced. You think you buy a brand new car and it could at least work like a brand new car. No more purchases from CLAYCOOLEY KIA

- Frank N Dottie S., Irving, TX, US

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