What 898 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Soul EV

Description of Incident: The engine has experienced a failure that causes oil to blow back from the engine, covering components both under and outside of the engine cover. This has resulted in oil accumulating on the exhaust and other hot components, creating a significant fire hazard. Safety Risks: This malfunction poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of others, as the oil leakage could lead to a fire while driving. Additionally, the vehicle stalls at various speeds, which increases the risk of accidents or harm to other drivers and pedestrians. There is also a strong smell of oil inside the car, potentially indicating harmful fumes entering the cabin. Inspection Availability: The component/system causing the issue is available for inspection upon request. Reproduction and Confirmation of the Problem: The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by two SAE-certified mechanics. Inspection by Others: The vehicle has been inspected by two SAE-certified mechanics but not yet by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: Warning signs included consistently losing oil even after a fresh oil change, smoke from under the hood, a strong oil smell inside the cabin, and the car stalling during operation. These symptoms have been ongoing and progressively worsening, with the vehicle now stalling more frequently.

NHTSA ODI 11632078

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle began decelerating and vibrating while driving at approximately 40-45 MPH. When attempting to accelerate forward and switch lanes, the vehicle would hesitate to respond as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle began overheating causing smoke to come from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact waited until the smoke dissipated and the vehicle cooled down before moving the vehicle to the side of the road. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and the following day it was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the catalytic converter and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the same dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

NHTSA ODI 11593838

The vehicle was taken to highway and after an uphill ramp (from Stringfellow to I-66E), the vehicle lost power, started to smoke, brake system lost power (foot brake did not work, so side brake was used to stop the vehicle), then caught on fire at Mile Marker 56.6. Yes, it is available for an inspection. I had to evacuate the vehicle in the middle of interstate highway that did not have an emergency lane. 3 out of 4 lanes had been blocked, so, yes, it did put others at safety risk as well. Problem cannot be reproduced as the vehicle will be deemed total loss (pending insurance company's inspection). However, please note that the engine was replaced at the dealer, under the warranty, 2 weeks prior to the incident. Insurance company is inspecting the vehicle and the captain of the fire brigade has stated that he will be filing a report in Fairfax County, VA. Excessive smoke and smell. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer the next day after the vehicle was picked up 2 weeks ago due to loss of power, transmission shift lags, blinking engine light, excessive vibration, etc. At the time of the incident, the dashboard did not indicate any engine lights nor the thermostat indicated overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11457742

Driving the car up the 101 Cuesta Grade and lost acceleration. The speedometer went to zero and as the car died I pulled to the right side of the freeway / grade. Smoke started to enter my vehicle. A car stopped in front of me and one behind and the people ran from their cars to tell me to get out of my car as my front engine underneath was on fire. I got out of the car and opened the back hatch to remove my belongings as the engine burst into flames. This car has been maintained by KIA and by a personal mechanic and we were up to date on all recalls. We were NOT included in the most recent engine fire recall. The car is completely destroyed.

NHTSA ODI 11436178

HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES/90 MILES WHEN WE WERE COMING TO THE SUMMIT OF STEVENS PASS ON HWY 20 EAST-BOUND. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING ROUGH SO WE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER JUST IN TIME FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL AND ALL DASH LIGHTS TO COME ON. TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHEN A PUFF OF SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A BYSTANDER ALERTED US TO VISIBLE FLAMES. THANKFULLY, A PASSER BY HAD AN EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326906

VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE. DRIVING IN THE CITY GOING AROUND 25 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11194156

I WAS DRIVING TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. THE ENGINE WAS RATTLING THEN I LOST POWER. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11191155

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, THE MANUAL CLUTCH SLIPPED AND LOST FUNCTIONALITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PITRE KIA (9640 EAGLE RANCH ROAD, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87114, (877) 887-1633) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11075799

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN, SHIFTER, AND BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A CERVICAL STRAIN AND MILD THORACIC FACIAL STRAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10897902