Home · 2012 Kia Soul · Complaints

What 512 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Soul

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (512)Crash / fire / injury (46)Engine (208)Steering (166)Brakes (45)Electrical system (38)Engine & cooling (31)Fuel system (23)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Body & structure (18)Airbags (17)Lights (10)

208 of 512 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 5 of 9

Mar 19, 2021Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET, THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. ANOTHER MOTORIST HELPED PUSH CAR TO SAFETY. THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP, AND WHEN IT WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE WAS SHAKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND BLINKING. THERE WAS A SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST.

NHTSA ODI 11403974

Mar 12, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WERNER KIA (2755 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 632-4044) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11402666

Mar 10, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS AN UNKNOWN COLOR SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. AS THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE AS TWO FELLOW MOTORISTS ASSISTED HER WITH THROWING A BLANKET OVER THE FLAMES TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE AUTHORITIES WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TOM DOLAN'S RENO KIA(9455 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT AN ENGINE ROD HAD BLOWN THREW AN ENGINE BLOCK. THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH ENGINE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,402.

NHTSA ODI 11400128

Feb 24, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. DESPITE THE NOISE, HIS DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN HEARING THE KNOCKING NOISE FOR HIMSELF AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF GREER (14345 E WADE HAMPTON BLVD, GREER, SC 29651) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT NO REPAIRS COULD BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED OF THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 11397731

Feb 4, 2021EngineFuel system

WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, IT STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ETC., GEARED IN DRIVE AND LOW IDLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN RESTARTED IT PROCEEDS AT A SLOW CRAWL AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY IN 15 TO 30 SECONDS. HAD OIL, OIL FILTER AND ENGINE AIR FILTER REPLACED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT STALLS. AFTER SIX TIMES OF DYING AND NOT ACCELERATING, IT IS NOW PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND FEAR IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN ONE WEEK WITH NO PRIOR OPERATION ISSUES. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS BUT NO RESOLVES, JUST ASTRONOMICAL REPAIR BILLS WITH NO FIXES AND NO HELP FROM KIA, DEALERSHIPS OR THE GOVERNMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11394588

Jan 30, 2021EngineFuel system

IN 2018 I KNOWN MY 2012 SOUL 1.6L CONSUME TOO MUCH ENGINE OIL ABOUT 1QT FOR 1,000 MILES. I TOLD IT THE KIA ENGINEER. BUT THE ENGINEER SAID, IT IS CAUSED BY MILEAGE OVER 140,000. I HAD ADDED ENGINE OIL PRETTY OFTEN. I VISITED THE KIA A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER FOR ENGINE STALLING AND AND EXTRA OIL CONSUMING. I ASKED FOR RECALL 19V120000. BUT THEY SAID IT IS NOT FOR MY CAR. THEY TOLD OTHER REPAIR ABOUT $ 400 INSTEAD.

NHTSA ODI 11390810

Jan 27, 2021EngineFire

THE ENGINE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11390200

Jan 7, 2021Electrical systemEngine

UPON MY LAST SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME MY OIL WAS LOW. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING TO ADD OIL. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE ISSUE. LAST WEEK WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX 50 MILES HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS GONE. THE CAR HAS 97,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED MYSELF FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS USING SYNTHETIC OIL.

NHTSA ODI 11387025

Dec 12, 2020Engine

ON NOV 30TH 2020 MY 2012 KIA SOUL BROKE DOWN AT ABOUT 8:00 PM ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY HEADED SOUTH ON 16 TOWARDS TACOMA. I HAD TO HAVE AAA TOW IT TO MY EX HUSBAND'S HOUSE. IM NOT FAMILIAR WITH CARS BUT HAD JUST PUT OIL IN IT AND GET REGULAR CHECK UPS BUT TO ME IT SOUNDED LIKE MY ENGINE BLEW. I COULD BARELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY ENOUGH SO I WASN'T HIT BY PASSING TRUCKS. I WASN'T TURNING BUT I WAS GOING 60 MPH WHICH WAS THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAVR DOCUMENTATION OF AAA PICKING IT UP BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I'VE BEEN FINDING RIDES TO WORK SINCE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI 11383164

Dec 9, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TROPHY KIA OF CARSON LOCATED AT 22020 RECREATION RD, CARSON, CA 90745, WHO RESET THE ENGINE SOFTWARE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE ENGINE LATER EXPERIENCED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11382733

Nov 9, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED ALSO WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTART OF THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ALERTED BY A FELLOW MOTORIST THAT HER VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE(FIRE ORIGIN UNKNOWN). THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER BELIEVED THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN; NO INJURIES WERE SUFFERED DUE TO THE FIRE. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11373862

Oct 6, 2020Engine

MY KIA SOUL 2012 HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEM A WITH OVER THE LIMIT OIL CONSUMPTION THAT STARTED IN 2015. IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IN CROWN KIA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID THAT I CAN CHANGE OIL ON EVERY 5000 MILES. OVER TIME IT STARTED BURNING MORE AND MORE OIL THAT IT WAS NEEDED TO ADD AND CHANGE OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. REPUTABLE MECHANIC IN THE AREA TOLD ME KIA SOUL HAVE THAT DEFECT OF BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL AND IT WAS DUE TO DEFECTED VALVE GUIDES AND PISTON RINGS.

NHTSA ODI 11362986

Sep 17, 2020Engine

WHILE DRIVING CAR IS RANDOMLY STALLING . VISITED SEVERAL SERVICE INCLUDE KIA SERVICE AS WELL NOBODY KNOWS WHATS WRONG. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN DURING DRIVING THE CAR JUST STALLS ALL OF THE SUDDEN.

NHTSA ODI 11355503

Sep 10, 2020Engine

ON OR ABOUT JUNE 27, 2013, I HAD ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND WHILE ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION AND THEN A LIGHT KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I HAD THE CODE READ AND IT IDICATED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR WAS BAD. I HAD IT REPLACED AND STILL HAD THE KNOCKING NIOSE AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. HAD THE CODE READ AGAIN AND IT IDICATED THAT IT WAS THE KNOCK SENSOR, SO I REPLACED IT AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT BUT THE KNOCKING CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEN IT STARTED STALLING AT STOPS, ALSO ENGINE WAS RUNNING ODD AND NOT HAVING POWER. ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THIS TIME THE CODE INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR. I REPLACED IT AND THE ODD RUNNING STOPPED. THE ENGINE STILL STALLS ON OCCASION IT STALLS EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I'VE HAD BOTH RECALLS COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD BY: ARAPAHOE KIA, (9701 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112) AFTER THE CATALITIC CONVERTER RECALL WAS COMPLETED, THAT I SHOULD GET THE ENGINE FLUSHED AND IF IT STILL CONTINUED, I HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED AT MY COST. TO SAY THE LEAST, THAT AFTER 241,436 MILES, IT IS STILL KNOCKING, USING OIL. I THINK THE CATALITIC CONVERTER HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT YOU KNOW HOW DEALERSHIPS TREAT CUSTOMERS, LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. I'M A MECHICAL ENGINEER INSPECTOR, SO GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR KIA SOULS, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL 1.6L ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI 11354277

Aug 17, 2020Engine

7/22/20 - CAR DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE STORE #005738, NEWPORT, KY TO PURCHASE 2 NEW TIRES AND AN ENGINE COURTESY CHECK WAS PERFORMED - FIRESTONE ID #7046930 - NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO SAFETY WARNINGS, MILEAGE 77,071 MILES ON CAR. 7/27/20 - THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN - CAR WAS TOWED TO FIRESTONE, MASON, OH. 7/29/20 - THEY EXAMINED THE CAR, MILEAGE 77,398. THE ENGINE HAD A ROD BLOW THROUGH THE OIL PAN CAUSING ALL OF THE OIL TO DRAIN FROM THE CAR. THEY ALSO RAN A DIAGNOSITC ON THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC GOT A READING OF CODES: P0300 - RANDOM MULTIPLE PISTONS MIS FIRE, P0303 - CYLANDER #3 MIS FIRING. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A CURRENT RECALL ON 2012-2016 KIA SOULS - RECALL #19V120000. [VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6LGASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) ENGINES. HIGH EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES MAY DAMAGE CALYTIC CONVERTER POSSIBLY RESUTLING IN ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION AND DAMAGE TO ONE OR MORE OF THE ENGINE'S PISTONS AND POSSIBLE PISTON CONNECTING ROD FAILURE.] PER KIA, CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POSSIBLE CONVERTER FAILURE CAN CAUSE THE ROD TO PUNCTURE THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT. WE CHECKED WITH THE RECALL SITE TO VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS LISTED FOR THE RECALL. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY BECUASE THE P0420 CODE DID NOT DISPLAY. THEY DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR COULD NOT RUN A HEAT TEST ON THE ENGINE SINCE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THIS VEHICLE BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE RECALL BECUASE WHAT HAPPEND TO OUR VEHICLE IS THE SAME AS WHAT HAPPENS TO VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11349920

Aug 11, 2020Engine

I DISCOVERED THIS RECALL (SC176) (19V120) ONLINE AND WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE THROUGH A PISTON ROD JUST AS THE RECALL STATES THAT COULD HAPPEN AND IT DID. WE REGULARLY CHANGED THE OIL AND KIA IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11348566

Aug 3, 2020SteeringEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVE AND WHEN MAKING TURNS AND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11342929

Jul 21, 2020Engine

BURNING OIL, MECHANIC DID ANOTHER ENGINE FLUSH TO CLEAN BUILDUP, AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT'S THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MECHANIC STATED IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BURNING OIL WITH THIS ENGINE AND NOW THE CAT NEEDS REPLACING, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I LOVE MY SOUL BUT THIS ENGINE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE

NHTSA ODI 11340669

Jul 19, 2020Engine

BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHEN CAR IS IN USE.

NHTSA ODI 11340217

Jul 8, 2020Engine

WHEN YOU GO TO TURN ON THE CAR IT STALLS AS IF THE STARTER DOES NOT WORK AFTER 2 TRIES IT TURNS ON ONLY THE RPMS DOES NOT MOVE AND THE CAR SHAKES VERY VIOLENTLY SO I STOP TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND NO PROBLEM ONLY WHEN AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED IN DRIVE-THRU THE CAR WILL TURN OFF NO POWER YOU TURN IT ON AGAIN AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN IT DOES THE SAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN PUEBLO THEY SAID IT WAS AN OLD CODE NOT TO WORRY YET THE CAR GIVES ME TROUBLE STILL AND MAKES A WEIRD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURN OFF

NHTSA ODI 11338100

Jun 22, 2020Engine & coolingEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS WELL AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS CLOSED TO THE DEALER AND COASTED INTO SPRITZER KIA CLEVELAND (3414 BROOKPARK RD, CLEVELAND, OH 44134) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11330025

Jun 22, 2020Engine

ENGINE FAILURE HAD TP REPLACE THE ENGINE LAST YEAR . NOW AGAIN HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS. CAR STALLS WHEN TURNED ON . WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT IT SPUTTERS WHEN YOU STEP ON GAS IT BACK FIRES . *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330220

Jun 15, 2020EngineFuel system

I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY CAR STALL AT STOPLIGHT SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MAY. I COMPLAINED ON HERE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SOME IN THE SAME YEAR AS MINE DOES HAVE RECALLS. THEN IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. THEN I TOOK VIDEO ON MY PHONE OF HAVING TO RESTART IT AND THE RPMS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. I TOOK THE ADVICE FROM ONE OF THE PHONE NUMBERS ON HERE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALER.THE KIA DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODES, AND NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH. TODAY IT DIED 3 TIMES THE THIRD TIME WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A 55 MPH ROAD. THANK GOD THE DRIVER COMING SAW ME AND MY HAZARDS. YESTERDAY I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE IT AND IT DID THE SAME THING DIED AT LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. TODAY I CALLED THE KIA NUMBER AND SHE SAID TO KEEP TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER BUT I CANNOT AFFORD A 90$ SERVICE CHARGE EVERY TIME. I KNOW OTHERS WERE RECALLED. SO I WILL KEEP COMPLAINING UNTIL MY CAR GETS ON THAT LIST OR I END UP IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE TO GET A LAWYER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328991

Jun 9, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, I GOT OFF ON MY EXIT. WHEN I CAME UP TO THE RED LIGHT MY CAR STALLED AND SHUT OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND IT WOULDN'T START SO I TRIED AGAIN AND IT TURNED ON BUT HAD A TICKING SOUND. I GOT HOME AND CHECKED MY OIL AND MY OIL WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT ON. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND THERE IS A RECALL SC176. KIA SAID MY ENGINE WASN'T AFFECTED DUE TO THE RECALL. THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TO TEAR THE ENGINE APART. THEY RECOMMENDED I REPLACE WITH A ENGINE LONG BLOCK AND IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. EVERYTHING DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING. IM VERY LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE I HAD MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327967

Jun 5, 2020Engine

IN EARLY 2016, MY VEHICLE BEGAN BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. NOVEMBER THE SAME YEAR I ENDED UP HAVING TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED AT ABOUT 120,000 MILES. IN 2019, THE SAME ISSUE BEGAN TO OCCUR. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY WEEK. A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WORKS FOR KIA BROUGHT OUR ATTENTION TO A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT CAN CAUSE CONVERTER AND ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO OVERHEATING. ON JAN 28 2020 I TOOK THE KIA SOUL TO STEVENS KIA IN HARRISONBURG VA FOR THE RECALL. WE EXPLAINED THE ISSUES WE WERE HAVING AND PULLED UP THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THEY SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THAT ISSUE AND THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BURN OFF OIL. KIA'S INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, BURN OFF OIL, AND ULTIMATELY LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. I STILL HAVE TO ADD OIL TO MY VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE WEEK AS IT IS DAMAGED AND HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED. IT IS GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I'M SCARED IT'S GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE OR WORSE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO FOR KIA TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITHOUT CONTRADICTING THEIR OWN INFORMATION ON THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327355

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Kia Soul verdict →