What 802 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul EV

X Company failed to install with apiece of equipment that prevents others from starting up and stealing your car without an key on the day I went outside to find my car back window broken and steering column roped apart and key entry resulting in costly repairs that parts on back order . there is post on social media explaining how to steal this car . unlike other cars this part is equipped preventing the cars from being started unless a code is transmitted

NHTSA ODI 11481118

In addition to the engine, my catalytic converter is also damaged.

NHTSA ODI 11481207

Car started burning oil WAY before I hit 100,000 miles which affects MANY other parts. Had to pay for a new O2 sensor, spark plugs keep going bad, catalytic converter failure while driving. Catalytic converter failure due to oil burning which causes the car to fail while driving 55 mph. Trying to press the gas pedal and only able to go 10 mph. Catalytic converter has failed twice in two years. Spark plugs need to be replaced again due to too much oil burning.

NHTSA ODI 11479950

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure. Recall consequence Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall action Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

NHTSA ODI 11479537

dealer stated that exhaust system caused engine to overheat and the catalytic converter to go causing the piston to seize completely. there is a recall out for this exact issue but it did not include my vin number. the vehicle stalled multiple times causing myself and my daughter to be stuck in ongoing traffic. the check engine light came on and it was brought to the dealer as soon as they had an opening. I am confused about how a vehicle can have the exact issue from a recall but because it wasn't the specified number that an unsafe vehicle can just be left on the road. it is no longer drivable due to this issue and being unsafe. the issues first appeared in 2021 when I first had the catalytic converter replaced, now barely over a year later it has failed again now also with engine damage to the cylinder and piston.

NHTSA ODI 11479612

Ignition DESIGN MAKE (Kia Soul) MY2016 KIA SOUL EASY TO STEAL ON 8/2/2022 When I woke to go to my work my back passengers window was broken .police was call during the investigation the officer showed my steering wheel dis connected not able to drive . Due to Kia not warning consumers that their cars are easy to steal has cost me deductible and rental fees to get to work . My car has not began to be service due to the back log of repairs for this incident that is not the consumer fault even if the car repaired is not safe because its target along with posting on social media how to steal kia cars in 30seconds and Kia Boys tik-tok challenge .

NHTSA ODI 11478720

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 85 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The contact stated that the connecting rod went through the engine block. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478212

Traveling at low rate of speed, engine began knocking and car stalled. Had car towed to Kia dealership to be told engine seized. No engine lights ever came on. Dealer stated no warranty coverage by KIA because a product IMPROVEMENT update was not completed that would have warned about the upcoming engine failure. We NEVER received a Product IMPROVEMENT notice, we have checked the VIN on numerous web sites and not one sight shows a product recall. Kia dealership wants 8600. To install a salvage engine, Odometer is at about 74,000

NHTSA ODI 11478278

While driving to work vehicle oil light started flashing and vehicle started making metal on metal noises and vehicle would not accelerate. I pulled over, turned off the engine. The vehicle would not start again. Took vehicle to a mechanic and he told me that I needed a new engine. I went to the dealer when I found out about the recall. I was told they couldn't do anything for me because I never had the car serviced there.

NHTSA ODI 11478081

The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was a knocking and scrapping sound coming from the engine. The driver pulled over safely and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed with complete engine failure due to a knock sensor detection system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to Kia Technical Service Bulletin: PI2002B. The approximate failure mileage was 65,548.

NHTSA ODI 11477808

I found a recall issued for my car in 2019, the dealership I bought it from told me it was repaired somewhere in New York in 2019, but it is having the same issues. I paid 2400 out of pocket to have the catalytic converters replaced, along with replacing the pcv and purge valves, as they were clogged due to the overheating. My oil consumption is crazy, about 5qt a week. If the 9V120000 recall WAS actually done, it wasn't successful or done properly because I am having the same issues and my engine could fail at any time. Due to stalling and acceleration issues, I think my pistons are beginning to go. I've already put thousands into this car I've only had for a year, and that is unacceptable. I need to know what can be done. I got in an accident with a pickup truck due to my engine stalling unexpectedly.

NHTSA ODI 11477585

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, she heard a creaking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 81,900.

NHTSA ODI 11477439

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the front end started shaking. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and there was a rough idling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and flashed on and off. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence, parked the vehicle, and inspected under the hood. The contact became aware that the radiator hoses were swollen, and the coolant reservoir cap was missing. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,145.

NHTSA ODI 11477155

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's husband inspected the vehicle and discovered that the engine was low on oil. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred to the dealer for a software update to be performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH the following day, the vehicle began to hesitate with the oil and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact proceeded to drive and a dark colored smoke started coming from the engine as she pulled over and shut off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was called back and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,700.

NHTSA ODI 11477202

WHEN OIL CHANGED, BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO OIL IN CAR. NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. OIL HAS TO BE ADDED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE DUE. NOT ON RECALL LIST BUT HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHER 2016 KIA SOULS WITH IT BURNING OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER - BUT DOES NOT STAY ON.

NHTSA ODI 11476960

I just bought the car. Test drive went fine. I was driving the car when the engine rpms stopped working. I could not get the car to increase speed. I was going up a small hill at 35mph when the car just stopped dead in the road. Luckily I was not in traffic. I repeatedly tried to start the car . Finally it started but the driving was the same. I limped home with my flashers on and have not driven it since. I have an app on 8/5 with a kia dealer. They told me I had to drive the car there. I couldn't have it towed. Hopefully I will make it. This problem doesn't happen all the time. I have driven it when it starts up and no check engine light comes on and the rpms are normal and it drives fine. I feel if the engine heats up that's when the problem occurs. It car only stopped that one time. That was enough for me.

NHTSA ODI 11476757

2016 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION ISSUE AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION THE METALIC PARTICLES WERE MIXED IN WITH THE FUEL/ENGINE OIL.

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Unknown

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The engine has an oil consumption issue. It cause the vehicle to run out of oil about 4000 miles after an oil change. This caused the a lose of power while I driving down the interstate. After speaking with the dealership and opening a case with Kia motors, they stated that consumption of 1 qt of oil ever 1000 miles is NORMAL. This most definitely is not normal and can cause premature wear and tear on the engine and the catalytic converter system.

NHTSA ODI 11475629

Cylinder 3 went out in the engine and car seized. Prior to this the car burned through oil very quickly and the entire car would shake. Kia of El Cajon said it was not an engine issue, my car was totaled and I sold it for scraps. Very disappointed with the service during this time.

NHTSA ODI 11475793

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and hesitating. The contact also had to top off the oil every two weeks. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with a faulty catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11475335

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 60 MPH. The contact also stated that the vehicle would hesitate while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor had failed. The contact also added two quarts of engine oil; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced under warranty. The dealer also informed the contact that an oil consumption test needed to be performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 114,300.

NHTSA ODI 11475242

I am loosing coolant but no signs of coolant under or around the car. This has been going on for a few months. I dont drive my 2016 kia soul often because I don't trust it. Today I drove it and while sitting at a red light, the car started to overheat. So I pulled over at a gas station. As long as the car is moving it wont overheat but as soon as I stop for more than 5 minutes it begins to overheat. I let the car cool completely at a gas station and then took the radiator cap off and checked the water level and it wasn't visable. The overflow was full to the top. So i filled the radiator back up and cranked the car to top it off. I then noticed that bubbkes were forming in the radiator fill hole accessively. Before i got back home i had to make a stop at the bank and while sitting still i observed my temperature gauge start climbing. I immediately turned the car off. I was 5 miles from home so as soon as my transactions were made i cranked the car and the gauge was back to normal so i drove it home and parked it.

NHTSA ODI 11475048

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was stalling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474878

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that one of the catalytic converters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and escalated the case to arbitration. The failure mileage was approximately 104,600.

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