Home · 2016 Kia Soul EV · Complaints

What 802 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul EV

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 (802)Crash / fire / injury (64)Engine (547)Engine & cooling (104)Fuel system (79)Transmission & drivetrain (64)Electrical system (57)Speed control (31)Steering (30)Brakes (20)Body & structure (18)Lights (18)

Newest first · 802 complaints · page 24 of 33

Mar 5, 2021Engine

CAR HAS ONLY 34K MILES. HAD IT FOR TWO MONTHS NOW. HASN'T HAD IT'S FIRST OIL CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND BLINKS THEN SHUTS OFF, DOES THIS EVERY TIME I DRIVE OR IN IDLE. I PUT 4 QTS OF OIL IN THE CAR A WEEK AGO. THERE IS NO REASON THE OIL NEEDS TO BE FILLED AGAIN. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PUT ADDITIONAL 4 QUARTS OF OIL AGAIN. THERE IS NO LEAKS, NO BURNING OR ANYTHING ELSE. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE ENGINE BLOWING UP OR CATCHING ON FIRE. THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL ON THIS CAR BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I AM NOT BEING TOLD, OR INFORMED. THE ENGINE IS USUALLY QUIET, BUT WHEN THE OIL LIGHT BLINKS, IT'S ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING SOUND. KIA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND WE'RE SUED BY CUSTOMERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT KIA HAS NOT ATTEMPTED TO REDRESS. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING UP TO AND OVER 40MPH, WHILE AT A STOP, AND WHILE DRIVING UNDER 10MPH

NHTSA ODI 11399258

Mar 4, 2021Speed controlEngineFuel system

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT AT ABOUT 75 MILES AN HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS PASSING A SEMI WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR DOWN SHIFTED AND STARTED LOSING POWER. I QUICKLY HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I CONSIDER MYSELF AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER, BUT IF MY KID WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THAT HAPPENED...

NHTSA ODI 11399170

Mar 2, 2021Body & structureEngineFire

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HAD JUST PULLED ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND HE HEARD A "POP" SOUND, SO HE PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT. WHEN HE GOT OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND ENGULFED THE WHOLE CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO HIM HEARING THE SOUND. IT NEVER LOST POWER, NEVER HAD ANY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, NEVER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OVER HEATING LIGHT, LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, NOTHING. IT WAS RUNNING 100% FINE. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS, AND I AM JUST THANKFUL HE STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND IS SAFE AND DID NOT HAVE OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH HIM AT THE TIME THIS OCCURED.

NHTSA ODI 11398734

Feb 27, 2021EngineFuel system

AFTER TAKING MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL AND AN UPGRADE TO COMPUTER SOFTWARE, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE LANES OF TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND UPON THE COMPLETION OF AN INSPECTION, THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND POWER WAS RESTORED. I WAS NOT OFFERED A LOANER CAR, AND HAD TO WALK OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. I CANNOT TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AS A SAFETY MECHANISM TRIGGERS. I HAVE TO FIND MY OWN MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND ONLY TRAVEL LOCALLY. IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MORE TRAFFIC I COULD BE INVOLVED IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THEY HAVE ALSO NOT OFFERED ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION FOR MY TIME LOSS WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH FROM DAY. WHEN THE SAFETY MECHANISM TRIGGERS, THE VEHICLE WILL BARELY DO 35-45 MPH. IT TAKES MORE THAN 15 SECONDS TO ATTAIN THAT SPEED WHICH IS NOT SAFE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR MODERATE TRAFFIC. THE CAR WILL START AS NORMAL; HOWEVER, WITH TRYING TO TAKEOFF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS NORMAL. PRIOR TO THIS 'UPGRADE' THE VEHICLE NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11398153

Feb 22, 2021Engine

VEHICLE STOPPED HAVING ANY POWER AND BEGAN SPUTTERING ON INTERSTATE 79 NORTH OF PITTSBURGH. DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OFF ONTO AN EXIT RAMP AND OFF THE EXIT RAMP (NORTH) ON THE PORTERSVILLE/PROSPECT EXIT BEFORE IT SHUT OFF ENTIRELY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ROLL OVER OR START. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED. CAR WAS TOWED FROM IT'S LOCATION TO ACM MOTORSPORTS IN TITUSVILLE PA. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER WAS BAD AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS DRAINED OF OIL, THERE WAS LESS THAN A QUART OF OIL IN IT. OIL CHECKED PREVIOUSLY (WITHIN A WEEK OF INCIDENT) SHOWED THAT 3 QUARTS OF OIL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP AND WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND NEEDED REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 82,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11397308

Feb 22, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAST LANE AND MY CAR STARTED ACTING LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY AND WENT AWAY. I HIT THE GAS TO TRY TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE SO THAT I COULD EXIT THE FREEWAY AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING WITH THE RPM IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 2 AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS SO UPSET AND FINALLY MADE IT TO AN OFF RAMP. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE OFF RAMP THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE LIKE IT WAS GOING TO JUST EXPLODE. I CONTEMPLATED STAYING OFF THE FREEWAY AND TAKING THE STREETS BUT I WAS NOT IN A GOOD AREA SO I GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND STAYED IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE TO EXIT AND HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THEY SAID IT WAS A CYLINDER THAT WAS MISFIRING AND THAT THEY REPLACED IT. WELL I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND MY CAR WANTED TO STALL AGAIN AND IT HAD ONLY BEEN A WEEK SINCE THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND AGAIN THEY BLAMED IT ON THE OIL AND ARE NOW SAYING THAT MY ENGINE MAY BE BURNING THE OIL FASTER THAN IT SHOULD AND IF THAT IS THE CASE THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE CAR HAS ME ON EDGE AS I DRIVE MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS EVERYWHERE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AT ALL ANYOMRE. I FEEL LIKE THE ENGINE CAN GIVE OUT AT ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI 11397460

Feb 20, 2021

AFTER THE RECENT RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S COMPUTER ISSUE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED MUCH THIS WINTER DUE TO COVID-19. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS RECENTLY TURNED ON WITH CODE PO50A (COLD START IDLE AIR CONTROL). THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY AFTER THE RECALL. KIA SAYS THAT THE RECALL TRIGGERED THIS FAULTY ENGINE LIGHT AND IT WON'T TURN OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11397076

Feb 12, 2021EngineFire

DRIVING TO WORK AT 60 MPH CAR FELT LIKE CAT CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND BY THE TIME I PUT MY CAR IN PARK SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH IN 5 MINS FRONT OF MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED

NHTSA ODI 11395999

Feb 7, 2021Engine

WHILE DRIVING SOMETIME THE CAR SEEM TO LOSE SPEED AND AFTER A WHILE IT'S PICKS BACK UP.. MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SOMETIME.. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP IT READS A CODE OF 420 CATALYTIC CONVERTER.. IT'S HAVE DECREASE IN SPEED..

NHTSA ODI 11395084

Feb 3, 2021Speed controlEngine

IN AUGUST OF 2020 CAR WAS NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE, WHEN MAKING A TURN VEHICLE WOULD START GOING AND THEN LOSE MOMENTUM FOLLOWED BY A RAPID TAKE OFF IN DECEMBER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE TO TRIGGER A LIMP MODE PER KIA, AT THIS TIME ADVISED THEM OF THE CAR BURNING 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL IN BETWEEN 3000 MILE OIL CHANGES. JANUARY 28TH 2021 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. VEHICLE CAME ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND ADVISED THERE WAS A POSSIBLE ENGINE CONDITION AND TO CONTACT KIA. VEHICLE CAME BACK ON AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WERE NO CODES AND AFTER REACHING OUT TO KIA THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED WITH NO CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI 11394447

Feb 3, 2021Engine

THREW ROD THREW ENGINE WAS DRIVING PULLED OUT OF PARKING POP NOISE OIL ANTIFREEZE EVERYWHERE

NHTSA ODI 11394464

Feb 3, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER STEVE LANDERS KIA (201 COLONEL GLENN PLAZA LOOP, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72210, (501) 404-4268) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11394537

Feb 2, 2021Engine

ENGINE NOISE.USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11391155

Feb 2, 2021Electrical system

THE UVO SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS FAILED. KIA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE AS A SAFETY ITEM AT NO CHARGE, JUST LIKE TESLA IS REQUIRED TO DO FOR THEIR FAILED SCREENS.

NHTSA ODI 11394315

Feb 1, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

AS I WAS PULLING OUT TO GO TO WORK,I NOTICED THE RPM INDICATOR WENT UP TO 51000 RPM.I HAD NOT HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE.THE CAR ONLY HAD 18000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT HAS 19500 MILES NOW.I WAS ON THE MAJOR HIGHWAY IN AUSTIN TEXAS AND COULDN'T GO AFTER THAN 50 MPH.I ALMOST GOT HIT DRIVING .IN THE PAST,I HAD MY KIA SPORTAGE REPAIRED WITHOUT ISSUE. I AM GOING TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER IN THE AM. I WILL EVERYONE KNOW THE OUTCOME

NHTSA ODI 11391125

Jan 29, 2021Body & structureEngineFire

CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. IT STARTED SMOKING AND SECONDS LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING, HE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11390673

Jan 26, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

FIRST, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPS WORKING PROPERLY. IT STARTS TAKING ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO SHOW THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. AFTER ABOUT TWO DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF BY ITSELF. SO I FINALLY GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP TODAY. THEY SAY THEY NEED TO PUT AN UPDATED PROGRAM INTO MY KIA SOUL'S COMPUTER..THAT SEEMED TO FIX THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DRIVE AWAY GO TO A STORE WHEN I COME OUT OF THE STORE AND GET BACK INTO MY CAR AND PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT MY CARS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I TAKE IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET THE CODE READ. THIS TIME THE CODE IS P0420. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP 800-995-4203 AND THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE MARTY TELLS ME TO BRING MY KIA SOUL BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I GET THERE HE SAYS THEY ARE NOW GOING TO CHARGE ME $109.95 AN HOUR TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. AT THIS TIME I AM IN THE WAITING ROOM FEELING LIKE I'M BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THESE PEOPLE BUT I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION AND I DON'T HAVE ANYWAY OF KNOWING WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH MY CAR. NOT TO MENTION ALL THIS HAPPENS BETWEEN 59000 AND 60000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11389978

Jan 26, 2021Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V389000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A COURTESY SERVICE AND SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO EXCEED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OAKLAND KIA (2500 WEBSTER ST, OAKLAND, CA 94612, (888)871-7024) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390077

Jan 20, 2021SteeringSuspensionBrakes

I STARTED COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT IT SEEMS TO BE SPINNING AT A DIFFERENT SPEED AS THE OTHER TIRES WHICH WORE THE TIRES DOWN AND THE THE BRAKES TO WEAR. THE FRONT END SHAKES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE BODY TO THE FRAME. BUT IT ONLY FEELS SOMEWHAT FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK IT TO 3DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS AND ALL HAVE SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG AND THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL IT. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY JUST WANT TO GET IT PAST THE WARRANTY. THEY INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE KNOCK TO MONITOR IT BUT IT SEEMS WORSE SINCE THEY INSTALLED IT. MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S FALLING APART. I EVEN CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THEY GO BY WHAT THE TECHNICIANS SAY, IF THEY SAY THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG THEN THERE MUST NOT BE. I HAVE ALL MY RECORDS.

NHTSA ODI 11389136

Jan 17, 2021Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

WHEN I ACCELERATE MY CAR MAKES A LOUD HUMMING NOISE AND WILL NOT SHIFT - THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT IT FLUCTUATES SPEED AND DOESN'T MAINTAIN SPEED. IT'S NOT SAFE GETTIN ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR WHEN YOU CHANGE LANES AND TRY TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AROUND YOU. AT FIRST IT WOULD BE SOMETIMES. NOW IT IS MORE CONSTANT

NHTSA ODI 11388538

Jan 13, 2021Engine

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON US HIGHWAY. SPEED OF 55 MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT. THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK LOUDLY AND IT LOST POWER. I ALMOST GOT HIT GETTING IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. OIL LIGHT WAS ON. CHECKED THE OIL AND ADDED 3 QUARTS. STARTED ENGINE AGAIN AND OIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND KNOCKING WAS REDUCED. DROVE ANOTHER 4 MILES AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK LOUDLY AGAIN AND IT LOST OF POWER AGAIN. BARLEY MADE IT HOME BY COASTING DOWNHILL. RECENT OIL CHANGE AND HAVE MAINT RECORDS. NO LEAKAGE, NO SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL IT WAS OUT OF OIL. I READ MANY POSTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME EXACT THING AS WHAT HAPPEN TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11387886

Jan 12, 2021Engine

CATALYTIC OVERHEATING, BURNT OUT THE SPARK PLUGS AND HARNESS. CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 20MPH WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. ALL OTHER 2016 KIA SOUL WITH 1.6L I-4 DOHC GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THIS SERIES OF VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND COVERED AS WELL. CAN LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. DEALERSHIP NOW WANTS $2000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY DONE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THIS WOULD LEAVE US FOOTING THE BILL FOR REPLACEMENT ENGINE THAT IS NEEDED LATER BECAUSE OF DAMAGE DONE WHEN MOTOR WAS BURNING GAS TOO HOT. THIS KIA SOUL NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL ALREADY IN INSISTENCE.

NHTSA ODI 11387700

Jan 11, 2021Engine

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN RATTLING AND STOPPED RUNNING. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO ASSESS THE ISSUE AND IT SEEMED AS IF THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A MONTH AND A HALF PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND THE ENGINE OIL WAS FINE AS WELL AS THERE WAS STILL 2,000 MILES TO GO BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2016 KIA SOULS FOR THE 1.6L ENGINE VERSION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE THE 2.0L ENGINE. MORE INVESTIGATION SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH BOTH VERSIONS OF THE 2016 KIA SOUL, BUT THE 2.0L VERSION HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE KIA RECALL I AM REFERRING TO IS: 19V120000 IN WHICH "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. 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." I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA ODI 11387466

Jan 2, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

LAST YEAR I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO REPROGRAM THE PCM DUE TO THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED IN THE MAIL RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING ISSUE. EVER SINCE I GOT THAT DONE, I NOW EXPERIENCE VERY HIGH IDLE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SINCE LAST YEAR UNTIL TODAY WHEN IT DROPPED BELOW 50 DEGREES. THE CODE IS P050A AND KIA HAS NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11386148

Dec 29, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

LAST MONTH I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN ECU UPDATE WHICH KIA IS CALLING A 'PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN' FOR THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM TO PUT IT INTO LIMP HOME MODE, NOW A MONTH LATER WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN I TURNED ONTO A STREET 2 NIGHTS IN A ROW THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING BUT WENT OFF AFTER I MADE IT THROUGH THE TURN, AND I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL THE SECOND NIGHT AND THE DIPSTICK HAD LITTLE TO NO VISIBLE OIL ON IT BUT THE OIL LIGHT STILL DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IDILING ONLY WHEN TURNING WITH MOMENTUM, BUT THE 2.0 ENGINES ARE KNOWN TO DESTROY THEMSELVES DUE TO ROD BERING DAMAGE AND THAT UPDATE THEY DID SERVED TO FIVE AND EARLY ALERT AS TO WHEN IT DETECTS KNOCK BUT THESE ENGINES ARE ALSO KNOWN TO BURN OIL AND THE 2014-2015 MODEL YEARS ARE RECALLED FOR ENGINE FIRES BUT KIA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE ENGINES SINCE THEY BURN OIL AND ARE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE OIL IS CRITICALLY LOW AND NOW ENGINE DAMAGE MAY ALREADY BE PRESENT ON TOP OF THE KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI 11385400

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Working with the data? Download all 802 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

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 2016 Kia Soul EV verdict →